Week: Joy
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
Holy Spirit, it’s You who helps us grow, each and every day, into who God made us to be. We’re ready to be changed a little bit more by You today.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Vera Lynn
Philippians 4:4
Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy.
Philippians 4:4 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today we’re REFLECTING on a single verse from the book of Proverbs, which is filled with the wise sayings of King Solomon.
Read by Vera Lynn
Proverbs 17:22
A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)
This could be included in a list of ‘Top Tips For A Healthy Life’. Do a bit of exercise each day. Eat well, especially fruit and vegetables. Make time for your friends and family. Limit your time on digital screens. Make sure you get enough sleep. And have a joyful heart. All these things are good for us!
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What things do we do each day that we know are good for us, that give us a bit of joy?
What simple thing could we put into practice this week that might give us a bit more joy? Maybe it’s walking a dog, or sitting in silence for five minutes each day, or doing something creative, or maybe it’s something completely different?
Father God, as we make plans to practise joy this week, we look forward to sharing these moments with You.
One of the best ways to experience joy is to do something for someone else that will bring joy to them. Let’s think for a moment about what we could do, and who could we do it for?
Father God, we ASK You to give us a great idea, an opportunity, and the courage, to bring a bit of joy to someone else this week.
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.
Proverbs 17:22
A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Loving Father, our hearts sometimes feel a bit heavy with stress and anxiety. And at other times they feel a bit broken by sadness and loneliness. As we offer our hearts to You now, we say YES to receiving joy… we want joy-full hearts.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Philippians 4:4
Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy.
Philippians 4:4 (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.
Chris lives in Melbourne, Australia with his wife and two boys. He works for 24-7 Prayer Australia and Red Church and is also a professional musician. When he’s not working or drumming Chris enjoys going on long hikes in the mountains with his boys and playing table tennis.
Vera Lynn lives in Phoenix, Arizona, USA with her parents, sister, and dog Max. Her favourite hobbies include reading, knitting, sewing, and embroidery. She is very creative. Her favourite book is The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in the Chronicles of Narnia series by CS Lewis.
