I wanted to give my kids a more directed and meaningful way to pray and meditate on God's word, so I wrote up the following direction for them to walk through. Please feel free to join us as we do this on Sunday morning from our own homes.
Sunday Morning Prayer and Personal Reflection
Pray
For this world – That this world may see the Truth of who God is and be obedient to His call on their lives; that everyone may experience healing – not just in body, but in spirit.
For our country – That our government officials would turn their hearts to God and make decisions for our nation that will both protect us and help us follow God more closely; that the Christian citizens of this country and the rest of the world would stand for God’s Truth.
For our region – That the citizens of this region would experience a revival; that they would hunger for God and His Word; that as our witness directs more hearts to God, it would make a difference in the lives of all, whether rich, employed, stay-at-home, unemployed, sober, addicted, homeless, Christian, atheist, sick, or well.
For our church – That we would seek God with all our hearts, setting aside our personal goals and desires that do not align with His good and perfect will; that we would feel a connection to each other while we are physically apart; that we would be able to spur one another on towards good deeds, encouraging each other.
For ourselves – That we would draw closer to God individually, both today and each day this week; that we would spend time seeking for His will in our lives rather than pursuing our own desires; that our hearts and its desires would be transformed as we renew our minds by spending time praying, reading His word, and worshiping Him, both in song and in deed.
Personal Reflection
Jesus told the Pharisees, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
How do you struggle with either of these commandments? (Look at how you tend to sin; it may indicate which is more of a struggle for you.)
When you look at lists of sins throughout the Bible, are there any that you see yourself struggling with more lately? (Feel free to spend some time looking through the various places in the Bible that God talks about specific sins.)
How does God tell you, through his word, that you can overcome that sin struggle? (Spend time looking for God’s encouraging words in the Bible.)
What steps will you take this week to love God and others more dearly?
Finish your personal reflection with a song of love to our Great God. Choose your own, or sing this one with us.
