P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
We end the week with an illustration from Jesus about what we have been meditating on this week.
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
Holy Spirit, make me see, make me know, make me understand, so that I may love You more and more.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 18…
I love you, Lord;
you are my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and he saved me from my enemies.
Psalm 18:1-3
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Matthew 7:24-27
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?”
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Matthew 7:24-27
Jesus illustrates the consequences of hearing his Words and living opposed to them. Wise men hear the Words of Scripture and listen to them. They are like the one who built his house on a rock. The opposite is true. If we are just hearers of the Word, but not doers we are like the man who built his house on sand. It is the Words of the Bible that give us a foundation and stability to withstand the storms of this life.
Lord, I ask again that you transform my heart and lead me to obedience. Let me hear the Words of Scripture and desire to obey them. Let me obey you in love today.
Lord God, You are the breath of life and the fire of our hearts. Awaken us from spiritual slumber, ignite a passion for your truth, and stir a holy hunger for your presence. Revive your Church, O Lord, renew our love for you and for one another. Let your Spirit move mightily in us, that we may live boldly for Your glory and shine your light into the world. 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?
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Matthew 7:24-27
Yielding Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me not just to hear your words, but to live them out each day. Teach me to build my life on the solid foundation of your truth, so that when trials come, I will not be shaken. Forgive me for the times I’ve listened but failed to obey. Strengthen my faith, guide my steps, and give me a heart that follows you fully. I want to be like the wise builder, rooted in your Word and grounded in Your will.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Isaiah 66…
Has not my hand made all these things,
and so they came into being?”
declares the Lord.
“These are the ones I look on with favor:
those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
and who tremble at my word.
Isaiah 66:2
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.