P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
As we end the year, we will look back at the faithfulness of God for a couple of days and then look forward to 2025 as we begin a new series, “Pictures of God”.
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 today I am reminded of your steadfast love. A love that has not forgotten me. A love that has not let me down. A love that has met me right where I am at. Remind me of who you are and let my heart turn to gratitude today.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 106…
Praise the Lord!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord,
or declare all his praise?
Psalm 106:1-2
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:12-17
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?”
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:12-17
In the midst of life, it can be easy to get caught in the minutiae of everything. At the end of the year, it is helpful to take a step back and look at what God has done from a larger perspective. All throughout the New Testament you see this emphasis on gratitude. The writers at some point or another make their way back, no matter what has happened good or bad, to the Lord deserving not just our praise, but our thanksgiving as well. Remember what Paul reminded the Colossians “And be thankful”.
Lord, thank you for all that happened in 2024. Thank you for the amazing things and thank you for the ones I don’t understand why they happened just yet. Fill me with your Spirit and give me a heart of gratitude today.
Lord, as 2024 closes out our prayer remains the same. We ask in unity that you would bring revival. That you would look down at the hearts of humanity and you would pour out your Spirit on us. Do what we cannot do and let it begin with your Church. Bring us to repentance of our sin and let us behold your glory. Transform us by the power of your Holy Spirit.
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?
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:12-17
Yielding Prayer
Lord, you are so good to me. Remind me of who you are. In obedience, I turn whatever I face into thanksgiving. You are the God who loves me and does all things for good. In my doubts, I trust your character today. Lord, you are the running Father in my life. You run towards your people in the midst of their sin. I have no hope outside of what you have done. Let me experience that love today.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Philippians 4…
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7
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.