P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
James leads us to meditate on the rich and the poor today.
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
Heavenly Father, as I come before you today, I quiet my heart and mind to seek your presence. Thank you for the gift of your Word and the privilege of prayer. Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your truth. Soften my heart to hear your voice and respond with faith and obedience. Help me draw near to you, not just with words, but with a sincere and humble spirit. Lead me, teach me, and meet with me now.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Proverbs 18…
The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?
James 2:5-7
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?”
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?
James 2:5-7
God’s values run counter to the culture that we live in. James points out that God has chosen the poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and heirs of His kingdom. Yet believers are tempted to honor the wealthy, even when they may oppress or dishonor others. James is challenging us to examine our assumptions about status and worth. True riches aren’t found in wealth or power, but in faith and a heart devoted to God. When we elevate people based on worldly success, we risk dishonoring those whom God has chosen and loved.
Lord, I ask that you show me where I am living by the world’s value system rather than yours. Let my heart know that what is most important is you and what you are doing in this world.
Lord God, we long for you to move in power. Revive our hearts, awaken our spirits, and renew our love for you. Where we have grown cold, set us on fire again. Where we are weary, breathe new life. Pour out your Spirit on us—stir repentance, ignite passion, and draw us close to your heart. Let Your Church shine with your glory and let the world see Jesus in us.
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?
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?
James 2:5-7
Yielding Prayer
Lord God, thank you for showing us that true riches are found in faith, not in wealth or status. Forgive me for the times I’ve valued people by the world’s standards instead of yours. Teach me to see others through your eyes and to honor those you honor. Help me live in obedience to your Word by treating everyone with dignity, especially those the world often overlooks. May my heart reflect your kingdom values, and may my actions show that my hope is in you alone.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Romans 5…
For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:7-8
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.