Family Day 10: Praying in the Spirit
Today's Scripture
"And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will." -Romans 8:26-27 (NLT)
Supplies
- Backpack
- Large books or other heavy objects
- Sticky notes
Reflect on the Word
First, label some sticky notes with negative emotions like fear, worry, anger, sadness, loneliness or doubt. Have kids place a sticky note of their choosing on one of the heavy book, until each heavy item is labeled. Then fill a backpack with the heavy items and let your children try carrying it around. Could they wear this all day? Why not?
Sometimes we're so afraid or worried about something, we don't even know how to pray about it. It feels like a heavy burden.
In today's verses, we discover that the Holy Spirit prays for us, having all the right words even when we don't have any. The Spirit is an intercessor, or someone who prays our prayers for us.
Read the passage again. Transfer the backpack from the child to an adult, and walk around together. Removing the heavy backpack reminds us how the Holy Spirit takes our troubles and brings them before God. He walks beside us, carrying the weight.
Reflect, pray + bless
- Reflect: The Holy Spirit takes our burdens, praying our prayers for us, having all the right words when we don't have any.
- Pray: Remove the objects from the backpack, using the labels as prompts for sharing burdens to bring before the Holy Spirit. After sharing, sit quietly with open hands, symbolizing releasing your burdens to the Holy Spirit. Close in prayer by thanking God for the gift of His Holy Spirit.
- Bless: "[Child's name], may you remember to rely on the Holy Spirit to lift your burdens, trusting Him to pray on your behalf when you don't have the words."