P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Today, James commands us to seek after wisdom if we lack it.
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
Father, as I come before you now, I quiet my heart and turn my attention to you. Thank you for your presence and for the gift of your Word. Open my eyes to see your truth, open my ears to hear your voice, and open my heart to receive what you want to speak today. Remove distractions and stir my spirit to listen with faith and respond with obedience. May this time with you draw me closer, deepen my love for you, and shape me more into the image of Christ.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Proverbs 2…
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:5-8
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?”
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:5-8
James moves quickly! By verse 5, he is on the topic of wisdom. He is very clear that if we lack wisdom, just ask God. He’s a good God who gives generously. Verses 6 and 7 can be alarming. I’m not sure I have ever asked for anything without a little shred of doubt involved. James is trying to get us to see what our true focus is. What he is saying is that we need to stop going to God for wisdom on Monday to deal with our trials and then do something else on Tuesday. He wants us to check our hearts and see who our God really is.
Lord, I ask for wisdom today in how to handle the trials and sufferings that I am facing.
Lord, we come to you with humble hearts, asking you to awaken what has grown cold. Breathe life into dry bones and renew our love for you and for one another. Ignite a holy fire within us, that your name would be honored in our homes, our churches, and our world. Turn our eyes from sin and draw us back to your presence. Revive us, O God, that we may live for your glory again. In Jesus’ name, amen.
As I read the passage for the final time, I listen to 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?
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:5-8
Yielding Prayer
Lord, I come in obedience, asking for wisdom in the places I lack it. I need skill in living when it comes to the trials that I am facing. God fill me with your Spirit and transform my double-minded ways. Let my focus and trust be in you and you alone today.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Philippians 1…
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
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.