P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Jesus modeling what prayer looks like introduces the idea of his kingdom on this earth.
Together we will pray (P.R.A.Y.) each day – ‘P’: Pausing to be still as we come into the presence of the Lord. ‘R’: Rejoicing as we remember who our God is and what He has done, and Reflecting on His word. ‘A’: Asking God to help us and others. And ‘Y’: yielding to His will in accordance with His word.
As I come before you to pray, I still my thoughts and quiet my mind. I seek to make you the center of my focus.
Prayer of Approach
Lord, as I enter into your presence through prayer would you open my eyes to see you? Open my eyes to the glory of who you are. Open my eyes and let my heart follow. Show me who you are and let everything else fall away during this time in your presence.
We choose to rejoice in the power of God’s Word, with all his people in Psalm 33:4-5…
For the word of the Lord is upright,
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
Psalm 33:4-5
Today we are reflecting on the words of Jesus in Matthew 6, where we read:
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:10
As Jesus continues teaching and modeling what it looks like to pray he points his disciples and us to the idea of his kingdom.
Jesus wants us to pray that his kingdom will be established, that his will will be done, and that this earth will begin to look like heaven. Jesus is the king in the flesh. That he is sovereign over all things. He came to earth to conquer sin and death on our behalf so that we can receive salvation. He came so that we can live under his lordship as his people and there is nothing in this world that is better than that. He wants all of our heart, mind, and strength to be used for his glory. We are praying for his will to be done, but the truth is if he is the king then his will is going to be accomplished. We pray this so that our wills would begin to match his. Just like Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, not my will, but your will be done. That is the goal of our lives that our wills would start to look more like his. Lastly, prayer has the power to bring heaven to earth. As we pray those prayers earth cannot help to look more like heaven a place where Jesus rules and reigns.
Jesus, I ask that you would show me where I am living as the king in my own life. I ask that you would reveal your will to me. I ask that you would show me where my will for this life and your will for my life do not match up. I ask that you would reveal to me my role in making this earth look more like heaven.
Reflection Questions:
1) How do I find the will of Jesus in my life?
2) What would it look like for me to use my time, talent, and treasure to make earth look like heaven?
Jesus, I ask that you would teach your Church in South Florida to pray. Fill us with your Spirit that draws us to our knees in prayer. Release us from the bondage of control and revive our hearts. Make your Church desperate for a move that only you can bring. Unite us as we pray.
As I read the passage again slowly, I listen for anything that You would say to me in it. Help me see how to position my life in order to yield to your word…
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:10
Yielding Prayer
Lord, I yield my life to your kingdom. I lay down my life in your service as my king. I seek to obey and treasure you as the king of my life. Break me of my desire for my own will to be all that matters. Reveal to me my role and change my desires so that my focus is on seeing your kingdom come into this world. Take me off the throne of my heart that is your rightful place. I surrender to you now.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Matthew 6:33…
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33
Closing Prayer
I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you, Praised for you or criticized for you. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and fully surrender all things to your glory and service. And now, O wonderful and holy God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, you are mine, and I am yours. Amen.1
1John Wesley