P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Jesus raises the bar of love in our lives 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
Jesus, you came to this world as the Word. The True Word who entered into time and space. Enter into this time with me now. I seek you, and let me find you. Meet with me now by the power of your Holy Spirit.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 23…
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Psalm 23:3
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:32-36
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 you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:32-36
Jesus redefines love by calling his followers to go beyond ordinary kindness. It’s easy to love those who love us, to do good to those who treat us well—but divine love transcends reciprocity. God’s love reaches even to the ungrateful and the wicked. Jesus invites us to imitate the mercy of our Father, who loves without condition and gives without expectation. True discipleship means loving when it’s undeserved, giving when it’s inconvenient, and forgiving when it’s not returned. Such mercy reveals that we are children of the Most High.
Lord, I ask to experience the mercy that you have shown me in such a way that it transforms the mercy I show to those around me.
Lord, I ask that you would revive the Christians who have fallen into a cold or dead state. Remind us that you are our first love and bring us back to you. Restore what has been broken and pour out your Holy Spirit!
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 you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:32-36
Yielding Prayer
Merciful Father, thank you for loving me when I was unworthy and for showing compassion when I gave nothing in return. Teach me to love like you—without measure, without favoritism, without fear. Help me to forgive, to bless, and to do good even when it costs me something. I yield my pride and my desire for fairness to your perfect example of grace. Make me a vessel of your mercy today, reflecting the kindness of my Savior in every encounter.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in 2 Thessalonians…
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
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