GATHER
By yourself or with your family, community group, or friends, get comfortable in a quiet space. Give someone the candle and matches. Dim the lights, and clear the space of anything that will distract you: phones, toys, screens. Remind one another that when we take things away, we are making more space for God. Allow a moment to settle in before beginning.
ENTER GOD’S PRESENCE
LEADER: We invite Jesus, the light of the world, to shine on our lives and help us see God. (Light the candle)
RESPONSE: For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
LEADER: Holy Spirit, speak to us as we recall our day. Help us be quiet on the inside, so we can hear your voice.
Together, sit in silence and invite the Holy Spirit to give you eyes to see and ears to hear what God has to say to you
REFLECT ON MY DAY
Review what has happened today, using these prompts. Adults and older children may want to reflect silently, and it can be helpful for young children to remember aloud:
- What did I do when I got up this morning? Where have I gone? Who has been with me? Ask God to show you your day, and trust that the pieces you remember are what he wants you to see.
Remember the things that made you feel happy or thankful today. In silence or aloud:
- When did I feel like God was on my side today? What part of today would I want to do again? When did I feel like singing or saying “thank you”?
Remember the things that you are not glad about today. In silence or aloud:
- What part of today would I cut out, if I could? Is there anything I would like a second chance to do differently? Is there any part of today I wish I could hide from God?
OFFER MY DAY TO GOD
What do you want to say to Jesus about your day? Would you like to put the sad or hard parts in his hands? Do you want to tell him thank you for anything? Silently or aloud, ask God to show you where he was at every part you have remembered.
Close in prayer from Psalm 13:
I trust in your faithful love. My heart is filled with joy because you will save me. I will sing praise to the LORD. He has been so good to me. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
DAILY PRAYERS
MONDAY, MARCH 13
We often feel small and powerless. The world is so big, and we are so little. Today, in prayer, remember that God holds the entire universe together. Imagine placing the entire world into God’s hands. Thank God that his love surrounds our entire planet, even when it is hard to see.
TUESDAY, MARCH 14
When we look around our city, we see so many sad things: people who don’t have a place to sleep; people who don’t know they are loved; people who are angry; people who don’t care for others around them. Ask God to help us pay attention to the sad things we see rather than looking away, and to walk around watching for ways we can pray for our city.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15
Many people we know have big problems: friends, teachers, neighbors, co-workers. Today, in prayer, practice placing those people and their problems in God’s hands.
THURSDAY, MARCH 16
Pray today for the pastors, elders, deacons, and staff of City Church. Pray that they would spend time coming close to God, and that everything they do at church would grow out of their time with God.
FRIDAY, MARCH 17
Every family has problems and challenges in their life together. Pray today for your family, and practice placing your family’s challenges and pain into God’s loving hands.
SATURDAY, MARCH 18
There are things in each of our hearts and lives that we cannot change. We do things we don’t want to do. Sometimes we feel trapped in bad choices. Today, invite God into the dark and hard places of your heart. Ask God to help you wait for him there, and to meet you with healing love.