P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Jesus ups the ante and the promise of a life that stays ready for him.
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 approach your throne remind me that you are in my midst. You are the mighty one who will save who rejoices over me. You quiet me with your love and you exult over me with loud singing. Meet me now and let me hear from you.
*Adapted from Zephaniah 3:17
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the love and provision of our God, as I see it in Psalm 17:
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words.
Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O Savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.
Psalm 17:6-7
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
Luke 12: 41-44
As I reread the passage, I reflect on the questions, “How is my life touched by this word?” and “How does this passage connect with my life?”
Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
Luke 12: 41-44
Peter always has great questions for Jesus and he’s never afraid to ask them! Jesus always answers just not in the way I assume Peter and us would like. Jesus again buries home the truth of a blessed life looks like an obedient life and an obedient life looks like a life that is alert and ready for when the master comes. And hear Jesus here. He will set him over all of his possessions. I don’t have space here to bake all of that out, but man do I want to spend my life thinking about and following that kind of master.
Lord, I desire all that you have for me. I ask that you show your face to me so that I may see your beauty. Beauty can change the world. Make my life beautiful as I follow after you.
Wake us up, Lord! Remind us to live aware, to redeem the time, to listen to your words, and to be willing to make a difference in the places you’ve called us to be. Thank you for your mighty power that acts on behalf of your children. Out of your kindness, please extend to us your grace and freedom. Cover us with your protection. Empower us with your strength. We ask for an awakening of your presence in our own lives and in the world around us, as never seen before. We pray for your help to be faithful to proclaim your name, and that all the enemy’s plans to silence the name of Jesus would be crushed.
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?
Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
Luke 12: 41-44
Yielding Prayer
Lord, you give me such beautiful promises. Forgive me when I trample over those and chase after the promises of this world. I ask that you give me the strength to obey you in this moment and every moment after. Form my life to the abundant life you have for me here on this earth and in the life to come.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Romans 6:23:
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
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.