Late on evening, my husband took the kids for a walk around the block when Tori Grace saw neighbors sitting on their front porch, as the family passed by Tori waved and said in her most mature five-year-old voice, “Hi, having a good evening!” And then she stopped in front her Dad, put out her hand to stop him and said, “Dad say Hi, it’s the nice thing to do!” 

Being Sensitive 

Even though Tori Grace is five, she is already aware of other people’s feelings–maybe because she is a sensitive to soul too. But our other two kids aren’t exactly the sensitive type and say things they shouldn’t or act out in ways that embarrass us as parents and hurt others in the aftermath. 

This week the verses we are going to read before journaling our prayers will consist of being sensitive to others. Jesus was a great example of putting himself before others. He washed his disciples feet, he didn’t throw stones at the adulterous woman, he healed the sick. And while our kids won’t exactly face what Jesus did, we can teach them to love others through sensitivity. 

For example, say your son whacks your daughter over the head with a pillow and makes her cry. You can of course start with “What do you think she was feeling there, son?” But you can also start a step back and say, “What just happened here? Where were you at?”

Or your teen says she hated shopping with grandma last year and would rather receive a gift card for her birthday, you can ask her, “What would Christ expect you to do in this situation? How do you think your grandma would feel if she knew you said that?” 

Journals

This week as my little one’s journal prayers using JOY and my oldest using PRAISE, we will ask Jesus to help us reflect the elements in the verse for that given day. 

Note: JOY is the acrostic for Jesus-Others-Yourself and PRAISE is: Praise-Acknowledgement-Intercession-Supplication-Equipping.

For a printout of this week’s verses, click here: Scriptures for Family Prayer Journals Week 14 Being Sensitive

~Being sensitive~

MONDAY

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 31:24

Tuesday

A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.

Proverbs 17:27

Wednesday

The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassion never fail.

Lamentations 3:22

Thursday

We love because he first loved us.

 1 John 4:19

Friday

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

How to Begin Prayer Journals with the Family

Want to begin praying as a family and journaling prayers?  Click this link: http://bit.ly/RzUKDe . You will find out different ways to journal as a family and it includes freebie printouts too!