P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
We end the week with the Great Commission as Jesus calls you and I to go to the nations.
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 enter into your presence I see you for who you are. You are holy, just, and good. When I see myself in comparison I know that I am a sinner in need of grace. I humble myself now and ask for your forgiveness. Where there is sin in my life let me bring it to you in confession and turn from my sinful ways. I thank you for meeting with me at this time. Pour out your Holy Spirit on me.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 103…
As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Psalm 103:15-19
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20
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?”
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20
Jesus takes the authority that he has in heaven and on earth and he tells his people to go out. That our mission while we are on this earth is to go out and make disciples of all nations. This is an invitation and a command! It is quite a large one as well. I can imagine that those there that day were thinking that all nations is a pretty big task and it is! Jesus is gracious though to give a promise alongside of it. That we don’t do this in our power, but we do this with his strength. He will be with us always. That is a sweet promise we can hold onto and put our trust in as we go out into this world.
Jesus, I ask that I would experience your presence today in my life. That you would fill me with your Spirit of power as I go out into this world.
Heavenly Father, we come before you, seeking revival for our nation. Restore our hearts, turning us back to your ways. Pour out your Spirit across America, igniting faith, hope, and love in every corner. Heal our divisions, renew our minds, and guide our leaders with wisdom and humility. May your truth and grace sweep through this land, transforming lives and drawing us closer to You.
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?
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20
Yielding Prayer
Lord, you are so gracious to me. Forgive me for all the times I doubt your love for me. Give me the strength to obey what you have for me today. Give me wisdom and the opportunity to make disciples today. Fill me with the boldness that comes when I hold onto the promise that you are with me always.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Deuteronomy 6…
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Deuteronomy 6:24-26
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.