P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Last, but not least the supernatural community created by the Holy Spirit is devoted to evangelism.
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
Lover of my soul, all my words fall short and I have nothing new. How could I express all my gratitude? I, therefore, command my soul to get up and praise the Lord. As I throw up my hands and give you my praise, I find joy in the pain and a peace that passes all my understanding.
– Tina Rosewell (based on “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake and God’s Word)
We choose to rejoice in the power of God’s Word, with all his people in Psalm 91:
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Psalm 91:14-16
Today we are reflecting on the words of Scripture in Acts 2, where we read:
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47
The final broad characteristic of the early church that was defined by their reliance on the Holy Spirit was evangelism. They were people who wanted the transformation that they had gone through to be experienced by others. The Lord added to their number day by day. It was amazing that 120 turned into 3,120 and that number turned into a new number each and every day. How did this evangelism work? The Holy Spirit reigning in their lives reoriented their essential relationships. When the Spirit reigns believers’ hearts are reoriented back to devotion to the Word of God. When the Spirit reigns believers are reoriented back into fellowship with one another. When the Spirit reigns believers reorient their hearts back to the worship of God. When the Spirit reigns believers’ relationship with the world around them is transformed. They were living lives that were different than those around them. They were a community that was devoted not to themselves but to each other. Because of what the Spirit was doing and their obedience to it their community was a shining light in the darkness. I can only imagine that people wanted to be a part of it. Their lives were evidence of the Spirit’s work in them and through them.
Lord, I ask that your Spirit would fill me and transform me. I know that your Spirit was not just active and alive back then, but is still active today.
1)What would a Spirit-filled community look like in our world today?
2)Would how the early church lived be attractive in our world today?
3)Who are you speaking to and praying for in order that they might be saved?
Lord, would you send your Spirit again? We desire to see you move just like how you did through the early church in the Book of Acts. Wake your sleeping Church and give us your Spirit that is devoted to you alone. May we be able to say that you have added to our number day by day those who are being saved? Let your power rest on us.
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.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47
Yielding Prayer
Lord, you desire to draw people to yourself. Forgive me for the obstacle I am at times. Forgive me that I lack the passion to see people come to salvation in you. Would you fill me with your Spirit to live a life that draws people to you? A life that is filled with wonder and awe about who you are! Would you allow me to see the days where day after day people are coming to know you as their Savior?
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in 1 John 1:7:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7
Closing Prayer
Lord, there is no one else and nothing else, that gives me that deep bubbling joy, that takes me unaware. I desire to sit here with you longer and my soul clamors for more time with you. And yet, I know I must move! One thing I desire is that I take you with me, everywhere I go, spreading your fragrance to those you would have me meet.
– Tina Rosewell
*The P.R.A.Y. acronym has been adapted from the Lectio 365 app.