P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Today, as we come before God, we ask him to expose the pride that so easily takes root in our hearts and teach us again the beauty of humble dependence on him.
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, you have made me your child by the sacrifice of your only begotten Son. You know me by name and the hairs on my head. I ask that you pour out your favor on me and show me your glory as I listen for what you have to say to me today.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 51…
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Psalm 51:16-17
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18:9-14
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?”
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18:9-14
In Luke 18, Jesus tells a story about two men who enter the temple to pray, but only one understands how deeply he needs God’s mercy. The Pharisee focuses on his own goodness and compares himself with others, while the tax collector simply cries out for mercy. Pride turns our attention inward, making us notice our accomplishments, our faithfulness, or the ways we think we measure up better than someone else. Humility does the opposite: it turns our eyes back toward God and reminds us that everything good in us is a gift of grace. A humble heart does not deny what God has done through us, but refuses to take the glory that ultimately belongs to him. Jesus reminds us that the posture God honors is not self-exaltation, but a heart that knows its need and gladly depends on him.
Lord, I ask that you show me the state of my heart today. Reveal the pride that I cling to and draw me to repentance through your kindness.
Lord, revive us by making us a humble people. Protect your church from pride, comparison, self-promotion, and dependence on our own strength. Give us hearts that recognize our need for your mercy and gladly give you the glory for everything you accomplish among us. Make us a people who boast only in Christ.
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?
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18:9-14
Yielding Prayer
Lord, I yield my pride to you. Forgive me for the ways I compare myself to others, seek recognition, or take credit for what only your grace could accomplish. Teach me to walk humbly before you today. Let my life point away from myself and toward you.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in James 4…
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
James 4:10
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