P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Today, we come to Jesus at the temple and learn that true faith trusts God without demanding that he prove himself on our terms.
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, with so much uncertainty in this life, let me hold fast to your Word. I cling to the promise of Isaiah 55:11 that your Word never returns empty and always fulfills what it sets out to do. Meet with me at this time 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 91 …
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:1-2
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and
“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Matthew 4:5-7
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 devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and
“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Matthew 4:5-7
Satan takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and even uses Scripture to tempt him. He urges Jesus to throw himself down and force the Father to send angels to rescue him. But Jesus refuses to turn God’s promise into a test. He knows the Father’s care is real without needing to manipulate circumstances to prove it. This passage reminds us that Scripture must be rightly trusted, not selfishly twisted. God’s promises are meant to deepen our confidence in him, not give us permission to act recklessly. Faith does not say, “God, prove you love me.” Faith says, “God, because you love me, I will trust and obey you.”
Lord, remind me in this moment of all the times you’ve been faithful to me. Remind me in the power of your Word. Let me trust it and use it wisely.
Lord, revive in me a faith that trusts you without testing you. Cleanse my heart from demanding signs, control, or proof before I obey. Make me steady in your promises. Revive what is dead in my and resurrect me back to life in you.
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 devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and
“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Matthew 4:5-7
Yielding Prayer
Father, I yield my need for proof, control, and visible reassurance to you. Help me not to test you, but to trust you. Teach me to rest in your care and obey your Word with a quiet and confident heart.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me 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
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