Suit Up Devotional - Week 8 - Prayer

Family Memory Verse for the Week
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. -Eph. 6:10-13

Devotional
When Bryan Cranston played the role of Lyndon B. Johnson in the play All the Way, he devoted his entire life around the role. According to him, outside of a morning bike ride and watching one hour of television a week, the rest of his time was spent rehearsing his lines. There were times he needed encouragement to keep going from the directors when he did not think he would be able to memorize all his lines, but his entire life for those weeks were devoted to one thing, playing the role of LBJ.
In Ephesians 6:18 Paul writes that we should “keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” Paul encourages us to have perseverance in our prayer life. The word used for perseverance in that verse refers to having a particular devotion to a practice. The word speaks to an enthusiasm or zeal that comes with the commitment to the practice of a craft. According to Paul, our prayer life should be characterized by devotion. We need to be a people who are committed to the practice of prayer throughout our entire day. Our day needs to be shaped by our devotion to prayer. How can you be devoted to the practice of prayer today?

Family Activities
“Pray continually” 1 Thessalonians 5:17. As a family, pray together. There are so many amazing things you can do as a family to pray together. You can write prayer requests out on a white board or paper and pray together as a family and see how God answers them. Grab a jar, strips of paper or popsicle sticks and write out family members names, friends names, your school, church, community workers and take turns drawing one out as you are around the table and have that person pray for them.  Let your children hear you pray out loud, no matter what ages your children are, they need to hear you pray. Prayer is a beautiful conversation with the Lord that does not need to be overwhelming for your child or you.