Family Worship (July 05)

Have you ever gone to visit someone you really love? Maybe it’s Grandma and Grandpa’s house, a favorite aunt or uncle, or a close family friend. You don’t go there just because they have good snacks or fun toys. Those things are nice, but the best part is being with someone who loves you. You enjoy talking, laughing, and spending time together.

Sometimes we can think about prayer the wrong way. We might think prayer is only for asking God to help us or give us things we need. God does love to hear our requests, but Jesus teaches us that prayer begins with something even better. Prayer is about spending time with our heavenly Father. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he didn’t begin with a list of requests. He began with the words, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” Before we ask God for anything, we remember who he is. We enjoy being with him and praise him because he is good. Prayer is one of God’s special gifts that helps us know him better and love him more.

Matthew 6:9 (NIV)
“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…”

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus starts the Lord’s Prayer by calling God “Our Father” instead of asking for something?
2. What are some things you love about God that you can praise him for before asking him for help?
3. How would your prayers change if you remembered that spending time with God is one of the greatest gifts he gives us?

Activity: “Father First” Prayer Time
Gather everyone together and place an empty chair in the middle of the room.
Explain that the chair reminds us that when we pray, we are coming to spend time with our heavenly Father. We cannot see him, but through Jesus he welcomes us into his presence.
Go around the circle and have each family member complete one sentence that begins:
“Father, I praise you because you are…”
Try not to ask God for anything yet. Spend several minutes simply praising him for who he is—loving, kind, faithful, powerful, patient, forgiving, wise, and good.
After everyone has shared, close by thanking God that through Jesus we can call him “Our Father.”
Talk together about how this felt different from jumping right into a list of requests.


Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us and inviting us to come near to you through Jesus. Help us remember that prayer is not only about asking for things but about enjoying time with you. Teach us to praise your name, trust your love, and live in a way that brings you glory. Help our family grow closer to you and to one another as we pray together. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Memory Work:

New City Catechism
27. Are all people, just as they were lost through Adam, saved through Christ?
No, only those who are elected by God and united to Christ by faith.

Memory Verse
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,  and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.