Week: Jesus Resurrected
Each day we will simply pray (P.R.A.Y.) together.
P: PAUSING to be still.
R: REJOICING with a Memory Verse and REFLECTING on some verses from the Bible.
A: ASKING God to help us and others.
Y: saying YES to God’s ways.
We start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
Lord Jesus, as we spend these few minutes together, we open our eyes to see what You’re doing, our ears to hear what You’re saying, and our hearts to receive what You want to give to us today.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Sasha
John 11:25
Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will have life even if they die.’
John 11:25 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Mary Magdalene had told the disciples that the tomb was empty, but they were scared and didn’t understand. Today, we’re REFLECTING on what happened later that evening.
Read by Sasha
John 20:19-22
When it was evening on the first day of the week, Jesus’ followers were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the elders. Then Jesus came and stood right in the middle of them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. His followers were thrilled when they saw the Lord.
Then Jesus said again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, I now send you.’ After he said this, he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’
John 20:19-22 (NCV)
Let’s imagine that we are in that locked room with the disciples. All of sudden, Jesus appears in the middle of the room as if from nowhere – how did He get in? Jesus looks around the room, smiling at each of us in turn, and He says, ‘Peace be with you, my friends’. As we stare at Him, barely able to believe what we’re seeing and hearing, our racing hearts gradually slow down and we realise that, somehow, our fears have begun to fade too.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What’s the first thing that we’d want to ask Jesus at this moment?
We might not be able to see Him, but Jesus is in the room with us right now, by His Spirit. Let’s take a few moments to talk with Him about anything that we’re feeling fearful about.
Let’s close our eyes and imagine Jesus speaking into each of our hearts – speaking directly to those fears – ‘Peace be with you!’
Some people feel trapped by the things that they are afraid of, such as a fear of going outside, a fear of heights or animals, or a fear of something else. Fears stop us from living freely and fully.
Lord Jesus, we ASK You to be with those who suffer in this way. Speak peace into their hearts. Set them free from their fears so they can live fully.
As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s verses.
John 20:19-22
When it was evening on the first day of the week, Jesus’ followers were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the elders. Then Jesus came and stood right in the middle of them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. His followers were thrilled when they saw the Lord.
Then Jesus said again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, I now send you.’ After he said this, he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’
John 20:19-22 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, You were resurrected – brought back to life – by God, and now You are alive! We say YES to receiving Your peace in our lives, and to receiving the Holy Spirit too.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
John 11:25
Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will have life even if they die.’
John 11:25 (NCV)
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
Sasha is 8 and lives in Phoenix, Arizona, USA with her dad, mom, sister, and dog Max. She loves dogs (especially puppies) and anything to do with baby dolls. She is very funny, kind, smart, and she loves traveling!
Phil lives close to a beach in the north of England with his wife, his daughters and his dogs. Phil works for 24-7 Prayer, mostly doing Lectio stuff, and helping to run Prayer Spaces in Schools. He runs a lot, usually for long distances. He likes curry, mountains, reading books and he still plays Pokemon Go.
