Week: Mark's Gospel
Welcome to Lectio for Families. This week, we’ve been exploring the life of Jesus as told in Mark’s Gospel, learning some of what it means to follow Jesus together. But today is our Sabbath day, and so we’re taking a break from our regular P.R.A.Y. format to pray a little differently.
The Bible tells the story of God making the Universe and everything in it in six days. Every Sunday, we remember the Sabbath, when God rested and enjoyed everything that was made.
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
Let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit may want to say to us today from Psalm 23.
Read by Noelle
Psalm 23 (NCV)
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in green pastures.
He leads me to calm water.
He gives me new strength.
He leads me on paths that are right
for the good of his name.
Even if I walk through a very dark valley,
I will not be afraid,
because you are with me.
Your rod and your shepherd’s staff comfort me.
You prepare a meal for me
in front of my enemies.
You pour oil of blessing on my head;
you fill my cup to overflowing.
Surely your goodness and love will be with me
all my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
What word or phrase stood out from this well-known Psalm?
In today’s Psalm, David writes that God ‘gives me rest in green pastures. He leads me to calm water. He gives me new strength.’
And so, on this day of rest and joy, as we prepare to pray, let’s think about the peace that God gives.
Pause
The apostle Paul wrote: ‘Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 4:7 GW)
Thank You, Father God, for guarding us with Your peace. We give You our worries, because we know that You are with us.
Jesus said, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ (John 14:27 NIVUK)
Thank You, Jesus, for giving Your peace to us. We give You our fears because You are our Good Shepherd, and we are safe with You.
The apostle Paul wrote: ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, [patience], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.’ (Galatians 5:22-23 NIVUK)
Thank You, Holy Spirit, for growing Your peace in us. We open our hearts to be filled and refreshed by You again today.
Let’s press pause and talk about our Sabbath question which is: As our week comes to an end, what was good about it – what are we thankful for? It could be something big or small.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Read by Noelle
Psalm 63:3
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
Psalm 63:3 (NIVUK)
May this Sabbath bring rest and joy to our hearts and our homes.
May today be a little less go, go, go, and a little more slow… slow… slow…
May we care less about things, and care more for people.
As we relax in God’s love, may we take time to listen and remember that we are all God’s children.
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 is 11 and 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.
