P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
This week, we will see different reactions to the birth of Jesus, the Savior.
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, in the midst of the indifference of this world, would you let my worship be true? Let me see you for who you are and let me see me as I truly am. Fill me with your Spirit and meet with me.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 2…
“As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”
I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
Psalm 2:6-8
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Matthew 2:1-6
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?”
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Matthew 2:1-6
Matthew 2 opens with wise men searching for the newborn King of the Jews. Their arrival exposes a great contrast: distant Gentiles are seeking Jesus, while Jerusalem’s leaders know the Scriptures but seem unmoved by the Savior’s birth. The chief priests and scribes correctly point to Bethlehem, because God had promised through the prophet that a ruler would come from there to shepherd his people. Yet, they are so indifferent to this coming Messiah that they won’t take 2 hours out of their day to walk the 6 miles to see if it really is him. We see two very different reactions. The ones who are filled with the Scriptures and are in the closest proximity to Jesus are spiritually the furthest away. Whereas the wise men are desperate to worship Jesus.
Lord, I ask you to reveal to me the state of my own heart right now towards you. Show me how I am reacting to you today.
Lord, awaken my heart to the glory of Christ. Revive in me a fresh wonder that you keep your promises and send your King to shepherd your people. Stir up your church to seek Jesus, worship Jesus, and proclaim Jesus to the nations.
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?
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Matthew 2:1-6
Yielding Prayer
Father, I yield myself to Jesus, the promised King. Forgive me for the times I have known your Word but resisted your rule. Teach me to follow my Shepherd with joy, trust, and obedience today.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Micah 5…
And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth.
And he shall be their peace.
Micah 5:4-5
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