P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Today is a meditation on the grace of God and his wild plans.
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, I come to you with a heart full of gratitude. Thank you for the blessings that remind me of your goodness. As I open your Word, increase my joy in you and teach me to delight in your truth. May my praise rise from a heart anchored in your presence.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Proverbs 3…
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb. And when she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” But as he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out. And she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” Therefore his name was called Perez. Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.
Genesis 38:27-30
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?”
When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb. And when she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” But as he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out. And she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” Therefore his name was called Perez. Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.
Genesis 38:27-30
We are not condoning sin today; instead, we are seeing how God’s plans are fueled by grace and cannot be stopped by the brokenness of sin. The children who are the outcome of an adulterous relationship between a father-in-law and daughter-in-law who dressed as a cult prostitute are in the lineage of Jesus. Tamar is named in Matthew 1 as a mother of Jesus. Jesus is called “The Lion of Judah.” Let your heart meditate today on the wildness of God’s grace and plans. Bring to Jesus the mess that is your life today and ask him to do what only he can do.
Lord, just like Judah, but in an entirely different way, I have made a mess of this life. Show me your grace and your plans for me. Let me know that you have not forsaken me even for a moment.
Join us for Pray First, set your heart on God this week, asking Him to awaken a deeper longing for His presence.
“praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…” Ephesians 6:18
This verse follows the explanation of the armor God gives us to fight against the enemy. It is prayer that activates the armor; without it, every piece is powerless. But with prayer, we are more than conquerors! Is it any wonder, then, that Satan seeks to snatch this powerful weapon from our hands or hinder its use?
Pray: Jesus, I confess that I often fail to grasp the eternal significance of prayer. I forget that the Christian life is an active war against the powers of darkness, and I allow the enemy to distract me and deceive me into thinking my prayers are insignificant. Forgive me! Today, I take up the whole armor of God, that I may be able to stand firm in this evil day! Grant me eyes to see the evil one’s strategy as I wield my weapons against his plans for me, my family, and my church. Teach us as a church to pray in the Spirit without ceasing and to remain vigilant, so that we may walk in victory!
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?
When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb. And when she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” But as he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out. And she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” Therefore his name was called Perez. Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.
Genesis 38:27-30
Yielding Prayer
Lord, I am amazed by you today. The fact that you would put Judah and Tamar in the lineage of your perfect Son, Jesus, astounds me. Show me who you are and let that spur me to obedience.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Genesis 50…
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good
Genesis 50:20
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.