P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Today we are introduced to Philip who leads a revival of the Samaritans as he brings them the gospel. We will see a man named Simon who wrongly desired to purchase the power of God from the Apostles.
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
Bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Sing his praise and exalt him forever. The night has passed, and the day lies open before us; let us [come to him now and] pray with one heart and mind.
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and forever. Amen.
Church of England Book of Common Worship
– Mark Rosewell
We choose to rejoice in the power of God’s Word, with all his people in Psalm 113:
Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name of the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore!
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised!
Psalm 113:1-3
Today we are reflecting on the words of Scripture in Acts 8, where we read:
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.
But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
Acts 8:4-25
Philip went to Samaria and preached the gospel and revival broke out. We have to understand how crazy this is at the moment. The Jews and the Samaritans hated each other. They were at odds on everything. Yet, the gospel breaks down those walls as Philip preaches the good news of a crucified and resurrected Savior. We meet Simon, a magician, who amazed the people. Simon was all about making his name great. He hears the gospel and believes. He is even baptized. Peter and John hear about what is happening and go to the people there in order to lay hands on them and pray for them. Simon sees that they have the power of God living and moving in them. He wants it. He desires it. He is greatly misinformed thinking he can buy it. He is thoroughly rebuked by the Apostles for this. The power of the Holy Spirit is a gift given by God. It cannot be purchased or earned. We know that in our minds, but it is easy to live life differently. In a world where anything can be bought for the right price, it is easy to allow the power of God to be among those things. In a world where status and power can be earned, it is easy to allow the power of God to be among those things. The gospel and the power of God cannot be purchased or earned
Lord, search me and know me. Reveal to me any misunderstandings I have about you and your power. Show me my faulty thinking that leads to faulty actions.
1)Why is it so easy to think and live like the gospel and the power of God can be purchased or earned?
2)Where in my life am I trying to purchase or earn the power of God?
3)Do I understand and feel the freedom that comes with the gospel and the power of God only being received by the gift of God?
As the prophet Isaiah prayed, “Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down” this is what we are longing for, God. Forget us not and meet us again. Pour out your Spirit in our hearts, our homes, our schools, and our workplaces in a supernatural way. Wake the sleepers and save the lost! May it happen for our eyes to see and our mouths to tell of the wonder of your glory.
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 those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.
But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
Acts 8:4-25
Yielding Prayer
Lord, break me of my desire to purchase and earn the good gifts that you give. Remind me today that I can neither buy it nor earn it. The gifts you give are not of this world, so they are not run by the economy of this world. Let me feel your love that I don’t deserve, but you lavish upon me. Break me of my striving and let me live in the freedom that you only you can give to me.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Isaiah 40:8:
The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.
Isaiah 40:8
Closing Prayer
Lord, enable me, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to love you today with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength; and to serve you today, by loving and caring for others as I do my own self; and, to exalt you today, by telling the people in my world about the abundant and eternal life found only through faith in Jesus.
*The P.R.A.Y. acronym has been adapted from the Lectio 365 app.