P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
As we continue to look at the healing of the lame man in Acts 3 we come to one of the purposes for which God heals.
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, you are the God who hears, hear me now. You are the God who sees, see me now. You are the God who knows, know me at this moment. I enter your presence seeking a loving father, so open your arms wide and hold me close, allow me to feel the love you have for me during this time in your presence. Reveal what you have for me through your Word.
We choose to rejoice in the power of God’s Word, with all his people in Psalm 126:
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.
Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 126:1-6
Today we are reflecting on the words of Scripture in Acts 3, where we read:
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Acts 3:1-10
God heals when he desires to fulfill the purposes for which he desires. In this text, we clearly see two of those. The first that we see is that God heals to bring himself glory. He heals to be praised by all who see his supernatural power come to fruition when an act of healing occurs. We see it clearly with the lame man instantly after he is healed. His supernatural healing is not one that needs therapy after. He goes from a man who has never walked to a man who is able to leap and walk. He does exactly that instantly. What was this man’s response? Peter and John made it clear to him who this healing came from. God supernaturally healed him through the power of the Holy Spirit through the vessels of Peter and John. This man praises God for what he has done. He praises him loudly and publicly. This is the way the Westminster Shorter Catechism begins. Question one asks, “What is the chief end of man?” The answer is, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” That is our call in this life and that is God’s deserved response always.
Lord, give me a heart of praise. Show me what it looks like to glorify and praise you today. Give me eyes that see where you are beautiful and give me the courage to praise you at the moment you deserve it.
1)What options did this man have after his healing?
2)Where in my life is it difficult to praise God?
3)Where in my life is it easy to praise God?
4)How can I make this day a day where God is praised and glorified in my life?
Open your gates and step down, King of Glory. Show us your glory. Show us your mercy. Show us the freedom that you have for your people. Open our eyes to who you are and what you have for us. Pour out your Spirit. Wake us from our slumber and break us of the idols that we cling to. Draw us close to your all-consuming fire and let us burn for you and you alone.
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.
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Acts 3:1-10
Yielding Prayer
Lord, you are deserving of all glory and praise. Forgive me for the times that my selfish heart does not give it to you. Forgive me for the times when it is easy to praise, thank, and glorify the things I can see, but I forget to bring them back to you. You are the cause of all things and you are the good Father who gives good gifts to his children. Give me a heart that overflows with praise to you and you alone.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Exodus 15:26:
…for I am the Lord, your healer.
Exodus 15:26
Closing Prayer
Lord, let me remind myself of the truth that you have heard my prayers today. You have not rejected me in any way, shape, or form. You have not withheld your love from me, but your unfailing love engulfs me. Let me cling to those truths as I go from here. No matter what my day holds, those truths will remain. Make my day an offering to you, the God who deserves it all.
*The P.R.A.Y. acronym has been adapted from the Lectio 365 app.