Week: Kindness
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.
Let’s 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, You help 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 Noelle
2 Timothy 1:7
God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
A few days ago, we heard some great advice about how to live well and follow the teachings of Jesus from James. Today, we’re REFLECTING on some more great advice, but from Paul this time.
Read by Noelle
Ephesians 4:23-26
You were taught to be made new in your hearts, to become a new person. That new person is made to be like God – made to be truly good and holy.
So you must stop telling lies. Tell each other the truth, because we all belong to each other in the same body. When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day.
Ephesians 4:23-26 (NCV)
We all feel angry sometimes. For example; when we feel like we’ve been treated unfairly, or when we see things that are unfair in the world. Anger is a normal part of being human, and it can be a healthy way for us to express how we feel about what’s going on in our lives. Paul understands that we feel angry sometimes, which is why he says ‘when you are angry…’
But then he adds, ‘…do not sin’. When we’re angry, we should try not to say or do things that will hurt ourselves or hurt other people. Anger can feel overwhelming, and sometimes it can feel like we’re losing control, which is why we need the Holy Spirit to help us by growing the fruit of self control in us.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What have we seen on the TV news or maybe on social media that we feel angry about?
In today’s Bible passage, Paul encouraged us to stop being angry – to try and sort things out – before the end of the day. Let’s think for a moment – is there someone that we feel angry with?
Holy Spirit, we don’t want our angry feelings to turn into words or actions that hurt us or hurt other people, so we ASK for Your help. If there’s a way for us to sort things out before the end of the day – maybe by talking with the person we’re angry with, or by talking with someone else that we trust – please help us with this. And if not, we ASK for Your peace right now, so that we can sleep well, and for courage to sort it out tomorrow.
In the Bible, we read that Jesus felt angry when people were treated unfairly. (Matthew 21:12-13)
Lord Jesus, we ASK You to show us what You feel angry about, and help us to know what we can do about it – what we can do to make the world a fairer place.
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.
Ephesians 4:23-26
You were taught to be made new in your hearts, to become a new person. That new person is made to be like God – made to be truly good and holy.
So you must stop telling lies. Tell each other the truth, because we all belong to each other in the same body. When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day.
Ephesians 4:23-26 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Holy Spirit, we say YES to You growing the fruit of self control to help us with our big feelings, especially with our anger.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
2 Timothy 1:7
God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7 (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.
Noelle lives in Kansas City, Missouri USA, with her parents, sisters and dogs. She loves animals, playing basketball, creating art and teamwork. Noelle gives the best hugs.
