P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
We continue in our “Weird Stuff” series. This week, we ask the question, “Who is Satan and how does he act?”
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
Lord, as I enter into this time, I hold close the promise that you draw near to your children when we draw near to you. I am drawing near. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and speak to me through your Word and prayer.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in John 6…
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
John 6:37
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10:17-20
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?”
The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10:17-20
It is not my goal this week to give Satan any extra publicity than he already has. It is not enjoyable thinking, or in my case, writing about Satan. We do it this week, though, because he is our real enemy and we need to know as much as possible about his character and tactics. We begin with the real joy of the 72 that Jesus sent out and have now returned with quite the report for Jesus. They are elated because they subjected the demons to the name of Jesus. We have no fear of Satan and his demons because we have the name of Jesus, and that has power over it all. It is good to start with that reminder. We have no clear biography of how Satan came to be. We have bits and pieces that we can put together. Satan was an angel who, in his pride, wanted the throne of God. He was cast out of heaven, and he now prowls the earth. This might be the moment that Jesus mentions here. Jesus saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
Lord, as I enter into this week, thinking and dealing with Satan, I ask for protection. Protect my mind from his lies and accusations. Remind me that you have all the power.
Lord, break through the evil of this world. Defeat all the darkness and bring those who are clouded by Satan into freedom. To you belongs all power and glory forever and ever.
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?
The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10:17-20
Yielding Prayer
Lord, let me enter into the joy you have for me. Just as the 72 who were sent out, let me come home elated, having witnessed the power of your name. You saw Satan thrown out of heaven. He has no power over me.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Matthew 11…
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
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