P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Our character in The Christmas Family Tree this week is Leah!
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 we enter into the Advent season I ask that you would meet with me. That I may experience the God who chose to come to earth to be the Savior that I could not be for myself. Remind me that you are the God who has come and that you will come again. Speak to me now.
We choose to rejoice in the power of God’s Word, with all his people in Psalm 5:
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you.
For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
you cover him with favor as with a shield.
Psalm 5:11-12
As you read the passage, ask the Lord to reveal a word or phrase that stands out to you.
When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing.
Genesis 29:31-35
As I reread the passage, I am reflecting on the questions, “How is my life touched by this word?” and “How does this passage connect with my life?”
When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing.
Genesis 29:31-35
Leah is one of the most sympathetic characters in all of Scripture. Leah is the oldest daughter of Laban. When Jacob, the son of Isaac, leaves home to find a wife he falls in love with Leah’s younger sister, Rachel. Jacob works for 7 years in order to marry Rachel, but when the time finally comes to consummate the marriage Laban swaps out Rachel for Leah. (Not sure how that happens, but that’s what happens.) Jacob is livid because he loves Rachel not Leah. He is now married to Leah, but decides to work another 7 years for Rachel. At the end he is married to both Leah and Rachel. Sadly, Jacob treats Leah horribly. Not God though. God sees her and loves her.
Lord, you are the God who sees all. I ask that you would see me now and let me experience your love.
Lord, this Advent season I ask that you would revive my heart. Remind me and fill me with your Spirit that you are the God who entered into his creation. Let that spark a deep desire to experience you in this season. Pour out your Spirit in a supernatural way over these next weeks so that I might see your glory afresh.
As I read the passage for the final time, I listen for how the Lord is inviting me to respond to him. Where in my life do I need to yield in obedience to what he has for me?
When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing.
Genesis 29:31-35
Yielding Prayer
Lord, you are the God who is in control of all my circumstances. I seek to obey you in whatever you bring into my life. I ask that you would transform me by the power of your Spirit and give me strength today.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Isaiah 9:6:
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
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.