Week: Hospitality - Mary and Martha
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
God of hospitality, thank You for inviting us into Your family. As we sit at Your table and taste Your words to us, may they give us all the strength we need.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Eli
1 Peter 4:9
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
1 Peter 4:9 (NIVUK)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus were Jesus’ friends. Today we’re REFLECTING on what happened on one of the times Jesus went to visit them.
Read by Eli
Luke 10:38-39
While Jesus and his followers were travelling, Jesus went into a town. A woman named Martha let Jesus stay at her house. Martha had a sister named Mary, who was sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to him teach.
Luke 10:38-39 (NCV)
One of the definitions of the word hospitality is… ‘the generous and friendly welcome of visitors’. The really important word in this definition is ‘welcome’. Hospitality means, ‘Come in. Make yourself at home. You’re very welcome.’
Mary and Martha are great examples of people who offered hospitality. They welcomed Jesus into their house, and made him feel at home.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: When have we welcomed someone into our home, maybe for a meal or to stay for a while?
And now, we ASK God to help us and others…
Father God, You are so generous and friendly towards us. We ASK You to help us offer hospitality whenever people come to our home, whether we already know them or not. Help us to offer them a generous and friendly welcome.
When was the last time that we saw someone sleeping or begging on the street, probably because they had no home of their own? Have we seen any homeless people in our town?
Father God, we ASK You to protect and strengthen those who have no home of their own. We ASK You to help them to find somewhere to stay, somewhere hospitable. And we also pray for organisations and charities who reach out to people who are homeless. Give them all the resources they need to do their work.
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.
Luke 10:38-39
While Jesus and his followers were travelling, Jesus went into a town. A woman named Martha let Jesus stay at her house. Martha had a sister named Mary, who was sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to him teach.
Luke 10:38-39 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, just like Mary and Martha, we welcome You into our home, and into our hearts too – into every part of our lives together. The Bible says that when we open the door, You will come in and be with us. (Revelation 3:20)
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
1 Peter 4:9
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
1 Peter 4:9 (NIVUK)
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 lives in Melbourne, Victoria with his mum, dad and two younger sisters. He enjoys music, reading, riding his skateboard and playing soccer.
