P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Happy New Year!
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, I ask for more this year—more of what you have for me in all aspects of life. Fill me with deep confidence this year. Draw me to yourself deeper than ever before. I consecrate this year to you and your power.
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
Mark 10:46-52
What a passage to begin the New Year with! A blind beggar, whom everyone was trying to shut up, gains an audience with the One whom he so desperately needs. Jesus, amidst the noise of the crowd, hears the cries of the desperate in need of deliverance and calls him over. Jesus asks him the question we are all so desperate to ask Jesus, “What do you want me to do for you?”
Lord, in obedience, let me run to you this year. Let me cry out of deliverance when I need it. Let me turn from all of the idols of this world who hold no power and run into your arms. Fill me with your Spirit.
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