P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Today, we remember that as God’s chosen and dearly loved people, we are invited to clothe ourselves with the character of Jesus.
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
Jesus, you are above all things and everything in my life. I humbly come to your feet in worship. Remind me by the power of your Word of who you are, of who I am, and what you have called me to in this life. Fill me with a desire to behold you now.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 103…
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Psalm 103:8
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:12-17
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?”
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:12-17
Because we are chosen, holy, and deeply loved by God, we can treat others from a place of security rather than striving. Paul calls us to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and above all, love. These qualities are not simply ideals we admire; they are the clothing of a life shaped by Jesus. As the peace of Christ rules in our hearts and his word fills our lives, gratitude begins to shape how we speak, worship, and relate to one another. Whatever we do today can become an opportunity to represent Jesus and give thanks to God.
Lord, remind me of your identity today. Remind me that I am chosen, holy, and beloved because of what Jesus has done.
Jesus, revive your character within us. Fill your people with compassion, forgiveness, peace, love, and gratitude so that our lives unmistakably reflect 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?
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:12-17
Yielding Prayer
Lord, I yield my attitudes, relationships, words, and actions to you. Clothe me with your character and let your peace rule my heart and your word fill my mind today.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in John 14…
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27
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