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 Your invitation, 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 Bella
2 Corinthians 5:17
Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
There was a storm on the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus’ friends were struggling to row their boat against the wind. Today, we’re REFLECTING on what Jesus did next.
Read by Bella
Mark 6:48-51 (NCV)
Mark 6:48-51
He saw his followers struggling hard to row the boat, because the wind was blowing against them. Between three and six o’clock in the morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the water, and he wanted to walk past the boat. But when they saw him walking on the water, they thought he was a ghost and cried out. They all saw him and were afraid. But quickly Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.’ Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind became calm. The followers were greatly amazed.’
Let’s try to imagine for a moment that we’re in the boat with the disciples…
It’s the darkest time of night. A storm is raging and the wind is howling. The waves are crashing into the side of the boat, splashing over the edge, and we’re getting soaked. We’re desperately trying to hang onto the oars, and then someone shouts… ‘Look! It’s a ghost!’ Everyone in the boat is terrified… and then we hear Jesus’ voice, ‘It is I! Don’t be afraid.’
Let’s press pause and listen carefully to one another as we talk about today’s question, which is: What things do we feel scared of? Maybe it’s the dark, maybe it’s spiders, maybe it’s other things?
Jesus saw that His friends were afraid. He climbed into the boat, and when He did, the winds calmed down.
Lord Jesus, when we are scared, we ASK You to help us recognise that You are with us. Help us to not just focus on the storms, but to listen for Your voice saying, ‘It is I. Don’t be afraid.’
We think of those who suffer terribly with fear and anxiety. Maybe it stops them going outside, or making friends, or just enjoying life in some other way.
Lord Jesus, the storm ended when You got into the disciple’s boat. We ASK You to calm the storms in the lives of those who are suffering in this way. Please set them free from all fear and anxiety.
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 6:48-51
Mark 6:48-51 (NCV)
He saw his followers struggling hard to row the boat, because the wind was blowing against them. Between three and six o’clock in the morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the water, and he wanted to walk past the boat. But when they saw him walking on the water, they thought he was a ghost and cried out. They all saw him and were afraid. But quickly Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.’ Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind became calm. The followers were greatly amazed.’
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, just like the disciples made space in their boat for You, we say YES to making space in our lives for You.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
2 Corinthians 5:17
Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
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.
Bella is 13 years old and lives in Buckinghamshire, England, with her mum, dad and cocker spaniel Summer. She loves art, performing and Jesus!
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.
