P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
We come to the end of our short series on Samson 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
My Father, your word speaks of your steadfast and unfailing love toward me. So, I come now to hide under the shadow of your wings and to simply enjoy that love! Let me “feast on the abundance of your house” and “drink from the river of your delights!” I know that with you is the fountain of life; fill me to overflow as I meet with you today!
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 118…
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them. Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the Lord, and they did not do so. Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. They did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways. So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he said, “Because this people have transgressed my covenant that I commanded their fathers and have not obeyed my voice, I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died, in order to test Israel by them, whether they will take care to walk in the way of the Lord as their fathers did, or not.” So the Lord left those nations, not driving them out quickly, and he did not give them into the hand of Joshua.
Judges 2:16-23
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?”
Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them. Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the Lord, and they did not do so. Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. They did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways. So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he said, “Because this people have transgressed my covenant that I commanded their fathers and have not obeyed my voice, I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died, in order to test Israel by them, whether they will take care to walk in the way of the Lord as their fathers did, or not.” So the Lord left those nations, not driving them out quickly, and he did not give them into the hand of Joshua.
Judges 2:16-23
We close out our short series on Samson this week, but today is a reminder of the theme of the Book of Judges. The humanity in the book is as frustrating as it is beautiful. Our passage today reveals both the mercy and the holiness of God. Though his people repeatedly turned away from him, he still raised up judges to rescue them because he was moved with compassion by their suffering. Yet the same passage shows that God would not ignore their stubborn refusal to listen. His discipline exposed what was truly in their hearts. The Lord’s rescue was real, but so was his testing. In our own lives, God’s patience should never lead us to treat sin lightly. His mercy calls us to return quickly, listen carefully, and walk faithfully.
Lord, reveal to me how in my heart I am just like the Israelites. Draw me back to you.
Lord, awaken my heart again to love you fully, seek you earnestly, and obey you quickly. Where my spirit has grown dull, breathe fresh life by your Spirit. Where distractions have weakened my devotion, turn my eyes back to you. Renew holy desire within me for your Word, for prayer, and for joyful surrender. Let revival begin deeply in me, so that my thoughts, words, and actions increasingly reflect your presence and your ways. Restore what has become weary, strengthen what has become weak, and draw me into fresh fellowship with you today.
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?
Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them. Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the Lord, and they did not do so. Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. They did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways. So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he said, “Because this people have transgressed my covenant that I commanded their fathers and have not obeyed my voice, I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died, in order to test Israel by them, whether they will take care to walk in the way of the Lord as their fathers did, or not.” So the Lord left those nations, not driving them out quickly, and he did not give them into the hand of Joshua.
Judges 2:16-23
Yielding Prayer
Lord, I thank you that your compassion does not fail even when I have been slow to listen. Search my heart and show me where I have allowed stubbornness, delay, or compromise to remain. I do not want to presume upon your mercy while resisting your ways. Teach me to respond quickly when you correct me, to trust your discipline, and to walk in willing obedience today. Keep me near you, attentive to your voice, and ready to follow wherever you lead.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Joshua 1…
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
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