P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
God calls Abraham this week to sacrifice his only son Isaac.
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, I come before you with a humble heart, seeking your presence. Guide me with your wisdom, surround me with your love, and fill me with your peace. Help me to draw closer to you, to listen for your voice, and to follow your path. Thank you for your unending grace and mercy.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 16…
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.
Genesis 22:1-3
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?”
After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.
Genesis 22:1-3
After decades of waiting Isaac is finally born to Abraham and Sarah just one chapter before this. We don’t know how much time takes place in between, but later the text gives us some clues about Isaac being able to carry a decent amount of wood on his back and go on a journey with his dad. God calls Abraham in this moment to radical obedience. The focal point of this story is not the danger to Isaac but the danger to Abraham and his relationship with God. The Hebrew word “tested” does not mean “to entice to do wrong.” With a personal object it means “test another to see whether the other proves worthy.” Ronald Youngblood puts it this way, “Satan tempts us to destroy us, but God tests us to strengthen us.” God calls Abraham and just like when he left his home he responds quickly in obedience and he goes.
Lord, I ask that you show me who you are today. Show me that you are the God who tests his children not to destroy us, but to strengthen us.
Lord, We humbly come before you, seeking revival in our hearts and in our land. Stir within us a renewed passion for your Word and your ways. Cleanse us of our sins and fill us with your Holy Spirit. Ignite a fire in our souls that burns brightly for your glory. Help us to love others as you have loved us, and to spread your message of hope and salvation.
Revive us, O Lord, and let your light shine through us, transforming our communities and drawing many to your saving grace.
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?
After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.
Genesis 22:1-3
Yielding Prayer
Lord, you have called me out of sin and death and led me into abundant life. You call your children to difficult things at times. In those moments let my obedience be like Abraham’s. I may not know what you are doing, but I know who you are. Fill me with your Spirit and encourage my heart to trust in you and you alone.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in 2 Corinthians 5…
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21
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.