Despite everything that’s come our way in the past several weeks, we have remained united as one Grace family in Christ Jesus. The gospel is advancing, the Church is enduring, and moment by moment we are “standing firm in the Lord” (Philippians 4:1). Hallelujah! There are some things even a pandemic cannot shake.
For more on “standing firm in the Lord,” view our latest online worship experience.
Personal Devotional
As we consider prayer this week, let’s meditate on Jesus’ teaching on prayer in Matthew 6:5-13.
Read Matthew 6:5-8
What two behaviors should we avoid when praying? What’s the motivation behind these behaviors?
Jesus’ teaching in verse 6 does not mean believers should always pray in secret. See Matthew 18:20. Clearly, there is value in praying with others. Why, then, do you think Jesus encouraged His disciples to pray “in secret”? What attitude(s) was He encouraging?
Read Matthew 6:9-13
This is undoubtedly the most famous prayer in the Bible. Let’s take the remainder of our time to follow Jesus’ example line by line.
Our Father in Heaven. What are the implications of the reality that God is in Heaven? Psalm 103:19 says, “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.” Pause and acknowledge the sovereign rule of God.
Hallowed be Your name. List some attributes of God, out loud or on paper. If you enjoy creative challenges, list one attribute or name for God using every letter of the alphabet. Praise Him for who He is.
Your Kingdom come. Confess that in your sin and humanity, you do not value God’s Kingdom supremely. Pray for the advancement of His Kingdom—for salvation, spiritual revival, and restoration.
Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Surrender your desires regarding the future. Consider writing each of your hopes on a sheet of paper and relinquishing them to God one by one. Use a marker to boldly write “Your will be done” over the entire sheet of paper.
Give us this day our daily bread. Share your concerns with God. Unburden your soul, listing every fear and need. Ask Him to provide for you, believing He is a generous Father.
And forgive us our debts. Confess the sin that has bubbled to the surface in this season—your public sin against others and your private sin against Him. Claim His forgiveness in Jesus name!
As we also have forgiven our debtors. Ask God to grant you a gracious and forgiving heart. Ask Him to reveal to you anyone against whom you’ve hardened your heart, and to help you forgive them. If He brings someone specific to mind, consider reaching out to reconcile with them.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Pray for deliverance corporately and individually. Pray that we would be delivered physically from this virus, and spiritually from temptation.
Grace Communities: Sermon Discussion Questions
Philippians 4 opens with conflict between two women. Where are you experiencing the most conflict in this season? At home? Among friends or coworkers? Internally?
In verse 2, Paul urges these women to overcome their conflict by being “of one mind in the Lord.” Most people aim to be “of one mind” in their closest relationships, but describe how two people could be “of one mind” without being “of one mind in the Lord”?
Pastor Mike shared a diagram to illustrate the importance of going to God in prayer first, before resolving conflict. How might this approach revolutionize your relationships with others in this season?
One of the ways to stand firm through this season is to rejoice in the Lord and give thanks. What are you thankful for lately? This week, what has given you cause to rejoice?
In talking about the Vine and branches in John 15, Pastor Mike said, “If you want to be rooted and anchored, you need to realize that from the Vine comes all the strength, nourishment, and life.” What hinders you from abiding in God in this season? Have you found any practical strategies for overcoming these hindrances and abiding in God daily?
GraceStudents 5th/6th Grade
Word of the Week—Abide
The word “abide” can mean a few different things, but in the Bible it usually means to “remain or stay.” Where would you most like to abide?
- in a luxury resort with water slides
- in a swamp with alligators
- in a chocolate factory
- in a classroom where you take tests forever
The way we feel about abiding has everything to do with WHERE we’re abiding. Chocolate factory? Sign-me up! Alligator-infested swamp? No thanks!
In John 15, Jesus invites us to abide in the most amazing place of all—right within Himself! Imagine climbing into Jesus’ lap when you feel sad, or hiding inside of Him when you feel afraid. Remaining in Jesus is the safest, most peaceful place to abide.
How do we abide in Jesus? By spending time with Him every day. The next time you feel frustrated, excited, or worried, tell Jesus about it. Talk to Him throughout the day. Read the Bible and listen to what He teaches you. As you do this, not only will you be abiding in Jesus, but Jesus will be abiding in you! He will be inside of you, and you will be inside of Him. It doesn’t get any better than that!
GraceStudents (7-12 Grades)
If you haven’t done so already, be sure to download the Zoom app on your device so you can tune in to our live GraceStudents service every Sunday night! For more information and links, head to the calendar.
Also, get seven days of devotionals for students here.
