30 Days of Praying for Children and FamiliesSample

What do you picture when you think of Jesus on earth? Perhaps there’s a particular verse or image that comes to your mind. Jesus, as a baby, laid in a manger. Jesus on a donkey, surrounded by palm leaves. Jesus in the temple, flipping tables.

How does John 1:14 sum up Jesus’ life and work on earth?

The Message translation puts it like this: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood.”

Our God, our creator, our powerful and glorious Father in heaven, became one of us. He moved in. He became part of the fabric of real life – neighbours, meals, mess, beauty, noise, pain – all of it. He made it his business.

And as we read of his life in the Gospels, we see Jesus repeatedly moving into people’s lives; showing up where people are, meeting and caring for them, noticing what they needed, challenging injustices and barriers, showing them love and belonging.

Jesus moved right into the neighbourhood. And now we are his body - his hands and feet - in our own neighbourhoods.

Prayer

As you walk around your neighbourhood or look out of your window into the street, consider Jesus stepping down from heaven to earth.

Now consider that you are his hands and his feet in this neighbourhood that he has placed you in.

Pray, asking God to give you his compassion and love for the area you live in. Ask for his guidance as you seek to be a light of gospel hope in this neighbourhood.

Pray for families who live nearby and are facing poverty, hardships, or family breakdown. Pray for God’s comfort and healing hand in their lives.