P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Today, we ask the Lord to strengthen us to walk the narrow way that leads to life.
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 your Sermon on the Mount, would you soften my heart to what you have for me? Let my ears not just hear, but let my heart obey. Fill me with your Spirit.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 16…
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Matthew 7:13-14
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?”
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Matthew 7:13-14
Jesus tells us there are two gates, two roads, and two destinations. The wide road is easy to enter because it follows the desires of the crowd, but it leads to destruction. The narrow road is harder, but it leads to life. We do not walk this road by our own strength; we walk it by following Jesus, trusting his word, and surrendering our way to his way. Every day, we are invited to choose the path of life, even when it is costly.
Lord, I ask that you strengthen my feet on the narrow path and guide me.
Lord Jesus, revive us with a holy desire to walk the narrow way. Rescue us from drifting with the crowd and awaken us to the beauty of the life found in you. Give us the courage to choose obedience, faithfulness, and surrender. Lead us on the path that brings true joy and eternal life.
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?
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Matthew 7:13-14
Yielding Prayer
Jesus, I yield my way to your way. I surrender the desire for comfort, approval, and ease when those things pull me away from you. Teach me to enter by the narrow gate and walk the road of life. Strengthen me to obey you today, even when obedience is costly.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Psalm 23…
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Psalm 23:3
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