Week: Mark's Gospel
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
Jesus, we hear You inviting us, and so we choose to follow You, with all our hearts, with all our minds, with all our souls and with all our strength.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Eli
Psalm 103:8
The Lord shows mercy and is kind.
He does not become angry quickly, and he has great love.
Psalm 103:8 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Jesus was asked a lot of questions, and today we’re REFLECTING on one that some religious leaders asked.
Read by Eli
Mark 12:14-17
[The religious leaders said:] ‘Tell us: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them, or not?’
But knowing what these men were really trying to do, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you trying to trap me? Bring me a coin to look at. They gave Jesus a coin, and he asked, ‘Whose image and name are on the coin?’
They answered, ‘Caesar’s.’
Then Jesus said to them, ‘Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and give to God the things that are God’s.’ The men were amazed at what Jesus said.
Mark 12:14b-17 (NCV)
The religious leaders who were asking the question weren’t really interested in Jesus’ answer. They were trying to trick Him into saying something that would make him unpopular and prove that they were right about Him not being someone to trust. But Jesus gave them a wise answer that they weren’t really expecting!
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: Who do we know who seems wise. Maybe they always seem to have great answers to any question?
And now, let’s ASK God to help us and others.
Lord Jesus, when we’re facing difficult questions – whether they are about You, or about us, or about the way we live – we ASK You to give us the wisdom and the words to answer well.
The religious leaders asked Jesus a question about money. While some of the richest people in the world have more than $200 billion, more than 1.2 billion people around the world live in poverty, most of them earning less than $2.15 per day.*
Lord God, it’s just not fair. We ASK You to open the eyes and ears of those with money and power – those who lead global businesses and national governments – and we ASK You to change their hearts. We pray for compassion and equality and justice.
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.
Mark 12:14-17
[The religious leaders said:] ‘Tell us: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them, or not?’
But knowing what these men were really trying to do, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you trying to trap me? Bring me a coin to look at. They gave Jesus a coin, and he asked, ‘Whose image and name are on the coin?’
They answered, ‘Caesar’s.’
Then Jesus said to them, ‘Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and give to God the things that are God’s.’ The men were amazed at what Jesus said.
Mark 12:14b-17 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord God, all that we have ultimately belongs to You – our money, our possessions, even our lives. We say YES to loving You and loving others with all that You have given to us.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Psalm 103:8
The Lord shows mercy and is kind.
He does not become angry quickly, and he has great love.
Psalm 103:8 (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.
https://www.worldvision.org/sponsorship-news-stories/global-poverty-facts
Joy lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and her dog. She works for Bridgetown Church where she leads kids as they grow, learn, and have lots of fun. Joy loves gardening, summer camp, eating ice cream, and reading her favourite books, The Chronicles of Narnia.
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.
