Joyful, Patient, and Faithful
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." - Romans 12:12, NIV
Follow these instructions to live out God’s will for you everyday in life. God wants us to do all of these all the time.
Rejoice and be joyful in hope in times that are going your way and on days that are totally against by you. You might be stressing about the next paycheck, but trust that God will provide and be joyful. Be joyful not just because you know God will provide for you, but because he always lives you, every moment of everyday.
Be patient in tribulation and bad times. You may have accidentally said something that hurt someone’s feelings, you may have gotten in a car wreck, or your day just isn’t going as planned and everyone and everything keeps getting in your way or slowing you down. There’s so many distractions keeping you from what you want or need to do before the day is over.
Be patient and know that God had a plan and it can be different than yours. Take a breath and try to think of reasons why something happened differently than you planned and then ponder how that furthered God’s kingdom or how you may have helped someone that wouldn’t have gotten the same help if everything would have gone according to your own plans. Stay faithful and continually pray. Many people pray when bad things happen, however, remember to pray when everything seems to be going your way. It doesn’t have to be formal, just talk to God. Tell God thank you for the little things or the people in your life. Pray for others, especially for those that can’t or don’t know how to pray for themselves, such as non believers and young children. Pray through the day. Observe your environment and the people around you. There is plenty to pray about.
Rejoice, be patient, and always pray.
1. Growing the Fruits of the Spirit: How the Holy Spirit Helps Us Be Good
2.
Animal Kingdom: Learning to Love and Care for God's Creatures
3.
Always Speak the Truth: Honoring God with Our Words and Actions
4. The Joy of Friendship: Learning to Show Interest in Others
5. Strong and Healthy for God: Why Our Bodies Are Important
6. Love Your Enemies: Learning to Be Kind to Those Who Are Mean
7. Talking to God: How to Pray Continually Throughout Your Day
8. God's Love for All: How We Are Special to Him
9. Showing Our Love: Why Following God's Commands is Important
10. Shining Bright: How to Show God's Love to Others
11. When Someone We Love Dies: Trusting in God's Plan for Comfort and Hope
12. God's Precious Gifts: Protecting the Lives of Little Ones
13. God Loves Every Baby: Protecting the Precious Lives of Little Ones
14. Family Matters: Why Your Family is Important
1. Growing the Fruits of the Spirit: How the Holy Spirit Helps Us Be Good
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23, ESV
This Bible verse tells us what the Holy Spirit produces when He lives inside us.
We can try to practice these everyday by being kind to our friends and family, showing patience when things don't go our way, or something feels like it is taking too long. We can also be gentle with our words and actions to everyone and practice self-control when we feel upset or angry. Let’s try to be a good example and show others the fruits of the spirit so they can learn them too. The more we show the fruits of the spirit, the more we point to Jesus.
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for your Holy Spirit that helps us produce the fruits of the spirit. Please help us to practice the fruits of the spirit everywhere we go and everyday. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
2. Animal Kingdom: Learning to Love and Care for God's Creatures
"The righteous care for the needs of their animals" - Proverbs 12:10, NIV
This Bible verse tells us that it's important to take care of our animals and make sure they have everything they need to be healthy and happy.
We can show our love for animals by taking care of our pets at home, and being kind to animals we see outside or at someone’s house. We can also learn about different kinds of animals and how we can help protect them.
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for creating all the different kinds of animals in the world. Help us to be kind and loving towards all animals. Help us to learn how we can protect and care for animals that live near us and around the world. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
3.
Always Speak the Truth: Honoring God with Our Words and Actions
"The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy." - Proverbs 12:22, NIV
This Bible verse tells us that God doesn't like it when we lie, but he is happy when we are truthful and honest.
We can show our love for God and others by always telling the truth, even when it's hard. When we lie, it can hurt people's feelings or get us into trouble, but when we tell the truth, it helps build trust and shows that we are trustworthy people.
Let’s pray. Dear God, help us to always tell the truth and be honest with everyone. When we are tempted to lie, remind us that you love it when we tell the truth. Help us to be people that others can trust. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
4. The Joy of Friendship: Learning to Show Interest in Others
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." - Philippians 2:3-4, NIV
This Bible verse tells us that instead of only thinking about ourselves, we should be interested in what other people like and care about. When we show interest in others, it makes them feel valued and loved.
We can show our love for others by asking them questions about their hobbies, interests, favorite toys and games, and feelings. We can listen to their stories. By showing interest in others, we can make the people happier and build stronger friendships.
Let’s pray. Dear God, help us to be people who value others above ourselves. Show us how to love and care for others by showing interest in their lives. Give us the courage to ask questions and listen well, and to be a friend to anyone who needs one. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
5. Strong and Healthy for God: Why Our Bodies Are Important
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV
This Bible verse tells us that our bodies are special because the Holy Spirit lives inside us when we believe in Jesus. We should take care of our bodies so that we can be healthy and strong for God's will and purpose for us.
We can show our love for God by taking care of our bodies. We can eat healthy foods, less candy and junk food, drink plenty of water, exercise, and get enough rest at night. We can also take care of our bodies by keeping them clean, brushing our teeth, and taking baths. When we take care of our bodies, we honor God and show that we value the gift of life that he has given us.
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for making our bodies temples for the Holy Spirit. Help us to take care of our bodies so that we can be healthy and strong for you. Show us how to honor you with our bodies and to be good stewards of the gift of life that you have given us. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
6. Love Your Enemies: Learning to Be Kind to Those Who Are Mean
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:44-45, NIV
This Bible verse tells us that even when people are mean to us, or we don’t like them, we should still show them love and kindness. Jesus wants us to pray for our enemies and to show them that we care about them.
We can show our love for Jesus by being nice to people, even when they are mean to us. We can smile at them, say kind words, and offer to help them. We can also pray for them, asking God to help them and to bless them. When we are nice to people who are mean to us, we can show them the love of Jesus and be a shining example of Jesus’ love for everyone.
Let’s pray. Dear God, help us to love our enemies, people we don’t like, and to be nice to those who are mean to us. Show us how to be kind and helpful, even when people are unkind to us. Help us to pray for them and to show them the love of Jesus. Thank you for your love, and help us reflect your love to others. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
7. Talking to God: How to Pray Continually Throughout Your Day
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV
This Bible verse tells us that we should pray all the time. We should pray not just when we are in trouble or need something. We should make prayer a regular part of our day and talk to God about everything, no matter how small or big it is.
We can show our love for God by praying to him throughout the day. We can thank him for the good things and good people in our life, ask for his help when we need it, and share our joys and happiness with him. We can also pray for others, asking God to help them and to show them his love. When we pray all the time, we can grow closer to God and feel his presence in our lives.
Let’s pray. Dear God, help us to pray all the time and to talk to you about anything and everything. Thank you for listening to us and for being with us always. Help us to trust you and to know that you are in control of our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
8. God's Love for All: How We Are Special to Him
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16, NIV
This Bible verse tells us that God loves everyone in the world, including you! He loves us so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to die for us so that we can have eternal life with him. We are special to God because he created us and loves us so much.
We can show our love for God by loving others and treating them with kindness. We should remember that everyone is special to God, just like we are. We can be kind to others, share with them, and help them when they need it. When we love others, we show them the love of Jesus and share the good news of God's love with them.
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for loving us and making us special, in your image. Help us to love others and to treat them with kindness. Show us how to be good friends and to share your love with everyone. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for us so that we can have eternal life with you. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
9. Showing Our Love: Why Following God's Commands is Important
"If you love me, keep my commands." - John 14:15, NIV
This Bible verse tells us that if we love God, we should follow his commands. One way God gave us direction for how to live our lives is through the 10 Commandments, which are a set of rules he gave to Moses to teach and help guide his people.
We can show our love for God by following his commandments. This means being kind to others, honoring our parents, not lying or stealing, and putting God first in our lives. We can ask God to help us follow his commands and to guide us and teach us when we are not sure what to do. When we obey God's commands, we show our love for him and do God’s will.
Let’s pray. Dear God, help us to follow your commandments and to show our love for you by obeying your word. Please guide us when we are not sure what to do. Help us to put you first in our lives. Thank you for loving us and for giving us direction for how to live our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
10. Shining Bright: How to Show God's Love to Others
"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16, NIV
This Bible verse tells us that we should let our light shine before others so that they can see the good things we do and glorify God. When we do good things, we show God's love to others and help them see how awesome he is.
We can glorify God by doing good things and showing his love to others. This means following his commandments, being joyful, being kind to others, sharing with those in need, being a good friend, and praying for others. When we do these things, we can show others how awesome God is and how much he loves us. We can also share with others how God has blessed us and how he has helped us in our lives. When we do these things, we can help others see how amazing God is and God’s love for them.
Let’s pray. Dear God, help us to let our light shine before others and to reflect and show your love. Please guide us as we do good things and help us to glorify you in all that we do. Thank you for loving everyone. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
11. When Someone We Love Dies: Trusting in God's Plan for Comfort and Hope
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:18, NIV
This Bible verse tells us that God is with people that are sad, and helps them feel better.
Losing a loved one can be one of the most difficult and heartbreaking experiences we go through in life. It can be hard to make sense of our feelings and to find comfort in during sad and hard times. But in this verse, we're reminded that God is always with us, even when we're feeling broken and crushed. He sees our pain and is close to us in our suffering.
When we're grieving the loss of a loved one, a family member, or friend, it can be easy to feel like we're all alone in our pain. But God promises to be with us, to comfort us, and to save us from heartache. We can be close to God and let him heal us by spending time in prayer and reading God's Word, the Bible.
Let’s pray. Dear God, when we lose someone we love, it can be so hard to understand why. But we trust that you are with us, even when our heart hurts and we don’t understand why that person had to leave us. Help us to feel your presence and comfort in our hearts, and give us the strength to keep walking forward, knowing that you are with us every step of the way. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
12. God's Precious Gifts: Protecting the Lives of Little Ones
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." - Psalm 139:13-14a, NIV
This Bible verse tells us that God made us in a very special way. He carefully formed us and planned every detail about us, even before we were born. Every life is precious to God, no matter how big or small, or young or old.
We need to remember that every life is important and deserves to be protected. It's our responsibility to love and care for others, especially those who cannot speak up for themselves. We can show love to babies and their mothers and fathers by supporting them with our prayers, talents, resources, and kindness.
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for creating us in your image and for valuing every life. Help us to see others the way you see them, and to love and protect those who need it the most. Guide us to be a light in the world and to share and reflect your love with everyone we meet. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
13. God Loves Every Baby: Protecting the Precious Lives of Little Ones
“But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” - Luke 18:16, NIV
This Bible verse tells us that every child is important. God loves every little baby, and He has a special plan for each one of them, as they are all a gift from God. It’s important to protect the lives of all children.
We can show love and care for babies by taking care of pregnant mommies and helping families who have new babies. We can also pray for God's protection over all babies and thank Him for the wonderful gift of life.
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for every baby in the world. Please help us to protect their precious lives and show them and your families your love. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him." - Psalm 127:3, NLT
This Bible verse tells us that God has given us a very special gift – our family. Our family members are the people we love and who love us back. They are the people we can always count on, no matter what.
Families come in all shapes and sizes – big families, small families, families with lots of kids, families with just one parent, families with grandparents or other relatives living together. But no matter what our family looks like, it is important to remember that God gave us our family as a gift.
Our family members teach us important things about love, kindness, forgiveness, and patience. They help us grow and learn, and they are always there to support us when we need it. We should always be grateful for our family and show them how much we love and appreciate them.
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for our families. Help us to love and appreciate our family members every day. Help us to be kind and patient with them, and to always remember that they are a gift from you. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.