Week: Who is Jesus?
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, thank you for the many ways you make yourself known. Our minds are open to learning more about You, and our hearts are open to knowing You better. We’re ready for You to speak to us.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Eli
Colossians 1:18
[Jesus] is the head of the body, which is the church. Everything comes from him. He is the first one who was raised from the dead. So in all things Jesus has first place.
Colossians 1:18 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
We’re reflecting on some words Jesus spoke to the crowds of people who were following him. They were hungry and they reminded Jesus that Moses had given their ancestors manna (which was a kind of bread) when they were hungry in the desert. ‘What miracle will you do?’ the crowds asked Jesus.
Read by Eli
John 6:32-35
Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, it was not Moses who gave you bread from heaven; it is my Father who is giving you the true bread from heaven. God’s bread is the One who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ The people said, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’ Then Jesus said, ‘I am the bread that gives life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’
John 6:32-35 (NCV)
In those days, bread was the basic, everyday food people would eat, but it didn’t last very long. Bread went mouldy pretty quickly, so people would get hungry again. When Jesus started telling people about God’s bread, they thought He meant bread that wouldn’t go mouldy, so they wanted some. But then Jesus told them something surprising and amazing. He said, ‘I am the bread that gives life’!
Normal bread gives life for just a moment, but Jesus gives life to the full, forever and ever.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: If we had been walking for a long time, like the crowds had in today’s story, what would we feel really hungry for?
Here’s a more challenging question for us to reflect on: Are we hungry for Jesus? Are our spiritual tummies rumbling because we want to know Jesus more?
Jesus, we ASK You to make us hungry for more of You. Hungry to pray more. Hungry to read our Bibles more. Hungry to seek and serve You more. Hungry to tell more people about You.
In many parts of the world, and in many parts of the nation where we live, people still don’t have the basic, essential food that they need to survive.
Lord Jesus, we ASK You to be with those who haven’t eaten today and are hungry. Give them strength. Help them to get what they need to live. We ASK You to make governments and organisations do more to help those who are hungry.
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 6:32-35
Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, it was not Moses who gave you bread from heaven; it is my Father who is giving you the true bread from heaven. God’s bread is the One who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ The people said, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’ Then Jesus said, ‘I am the bread that gives life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’
John 6:32-35 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, You are the bread that gives life. You are everything we need for a full life, forever and ever, and so we say YES to You.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Colossians 1:18
[Jesus] is the head of the body, which is the church. Everything comes from him. He is the first one who was raised from the dead. So in all things Jesus has first place.
Colossians 1:18 (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.
Unathi lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with her husband and 5 kids; and has a passion for seeing families thriving.
You’ll most likely find her homeschooling the tribe, reading, writing, or dreaming about the next DIY project.
She also loves good coffee, dark chocolate and hiking.
Eli is 11 and lives in Melbourne, Victoria with his mum, dad and two younger sisters. He enjoys music, reading, riding his skateboard and playing soccer.