28th July - 3rd August 2025
INTRODUCTION - LIVING STONES
Can you picture the Mourne Mountains in County Down? In particular, the free-standing
Mourne Walls? Imagine the granite stones—varied in shape, size and shade—carefully fitted
together by generations of skilled dry-stone wallers. Each stone matters. Each is chosen and
placed with purpose.
After a recent visit to the Mournes, the image of those walls has stayed with me. I am reminded
of Peter’s words to scattered, suffering believers in Asia Minor, written about 30 years after
Jesus’ resurrection. Peter uses a striking image: we are “living stones”, who are being built into
a spiritual house, and Christ is our “precious Cornerstone” (1 Peter 2:4–5).
Now read 1 Peter 2:4–11, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s truth to you.
You are a living stone—unique and precious to the Master Craftsman who has called and
chosen you. Spiritually speaking, He is shaping you—cleansing, refining and preparing you to
be placed alongside others in His grand design.
Yes, your faith is personal, but your formation into Christlikeness was never intended to be a
solitary pursuit. You are not an isolated stone. The spiritual house—the church—that God is
building is a corporate project with great purpose. We—the living stones—are being fitted
together so that “we may declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His
wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).
Together, we bear witness to the goodness of God and the hope of the gospel. And as we
shine His light corporately, others may be drawn from darkness—becoming living stones
themselves.
This week, we’ll use Peter’s words to shape our prayers for the church. Each day will also be
accompanied by a responsive song of praise. Let’s remember: every living stone is a brother
or sister in Christ—called, chosen and placed beside us for God’s glory and our good.
Written by Heather Donaghy
MONDAY
Come to Him
Read & Meditate: As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in Him
will never be put to shame.” (1 Peter 2:4–6)
Pause & Pray: Father, thank You for Jesus, the precious living Stone, rejected for our sake so
we could be accepted by You and welcomed into Your family—the Church. We pray for those
who feel far from You—through hurt, shame, or apathy. Draw them back to repentance and
trust in Jesus and into community. Remind them they are vital living stones in the spiritual
house You are building. Help us welcome them with the grace You’ve shown us. In Jesus’
name, Amen.
Listen & Praise: Run to Jesus — Sovereign Grace Music
TUESDAY
Chosen & Called
Read & Meditate: You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house… you are a
chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession. (1 Peter 2:5, 9)
Pause & Pray: Father, thank You that our individual and corporate identity is secure in Christ.
We’ve been bought at a great price by Jesus, who laid His life down for us. We belong to King
Jesus—we are not our own! You have chosen and called us. We are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and Your special possession. Help us live under Your rule and represent Your kingdom faithfully—living
sacrificially and growing in holiness together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Listen & Praise: I Am Not My Own – Skye Peterson
WEDNESDAY
Declare His Praises
Read & Meditate: You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house… you are a
chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:5, 9)
Pause & Pray: Father, thank You for calling us out of darkness and into Your wonderful light.
Each time we gather as Your Church, may we declare Your praises with increasing faithfulness
and joy. Help us worship You wholeheartedly—in song, in receiving Your Word, through prayer,
and in our service—both in organised gatherings and in spontaneous daily moments. May we
bless Your name in every opportunity, remembering that You alone are worthy. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Listen & Praise: Bless God – Brooke Ligertwood
THURSDAY
Abiding in the Light
Read & Meditate: You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house… you are a
chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may
declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
(1 Peter 2:5, 9)
Pause & Pray: Father, we long to abide in Your light, both as individuals and as Your Church.
Yet daily we struggle with the darkness of sin, and we grieve the harm it causes, especially
within the body of Christ. We confess where our sin has cast shadows on Your light, and we
rest in Your forgiveness. Thank You that Your light overcomes the darkness. Through Your
Spirit, shape us into people of love, truth, obedience, and sacrificial service. May our lives
reflect Your light to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Listen & Praise: Abide – Mission House, Aaron Williams
FRIDAY
Mercy Receivers; Mercy Givers
Read & Meditate: You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house… that you
may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once
you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:5, 9–10)
Pause & Pray: Father, thank You for Your mercy—Your compassionate withholding of the
judgment we deserve. We’ve received it so freely and abundantly! Yet, we often speak Your
truth and pursue holiness while neglecting mercy. This can lead to pride, a lack of love for our brothers and sisters in Christ, and hardened hearts toward the lost. Remind us how deeply we
still need Your grace. As we receive Your mercy, make us into people who give mercy freely,
reflecting Your heart to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Listen & Praise: Grace & Mercy – Jess Ray
SATURDAY
Godly Witnesses
Read & Meditate: You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house… that you
may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light…
I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your
soul. Live such good lives among unbelievers that, though they accuse you of doing wrong,
they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us. (1 Peter 2:5, 9, 11–12)
Pause & Pray: Father, thank You for calling us to be light in the world. What a privilege to
partner with You and fellow living stones—each one uniquely gifted—to declare Your gospel.
Help us live good lives—worthy of the gospel, engaging lovingly and truthfully with those who
don’t yet know Him. By Your grace, may many be called from darkness into Your wonderful
light and added as living stones to Your Church. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Listen & Praise: Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly – Pat Barrett
SUNDAY
Take time today to reflect on what God has been teaching you this week through His Word in 1
Peter 2:4–12. Consider your relationship with Christ, and your role as a living stone in His
Church. Here are some questions to help you reflect.
Monday – Come to Him: Have I come to Jesus with trust this week, or have I been keeping
Him at a distance?
Tuesday – Chosen & Called: Am I living like someone who belongs to God and is part of His
people?
Wednesday – Declare His Praises: Have I praised God with joy and faithfulness in both
corporate gatherings and everyday moments?
Thursday – Abiding in the Light: Where in my life do I need God’s light to shine and overcome
the darkness of my sin? Who can help keep me accountable in this?
Friday – Mercy Receivers; Mercy Givers: Am I showing mercy to others the way I’ve received it
from God?
Saturday – Godly Witnesses: How can I encourage a fellow brother or sister in Christ in their
godly witness?
Weekly Playlist:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FHVXq9Sd6jPi52CPlqP66?si=ab2dd0dced664af9
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl5k7FWzGMUmHVtj2A0emw626djOAEgZ&si=8_map5zkluA5JTFl