P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Today we look at how important it is to have wise advice in this 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 presence let me experience your steadfast love that never ceases. Pour out your mercies that are never-ending and new every morning upon my heart. Great is your faithfulness and therefore my hope is in you today.*
*Adapted from Lamentations 3:22-24
We choose to rejoice in the power of God’s Word, with all his people in Psalm 127:
Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Psalm 127:1-2
As I read the passage, I am asking the Lord to reveal a word or phrase that stands out to me.
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 13:20
Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs 11:14
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 12:15
By insolence comes nothing but strife,
but with those who take advice is wisdom.
Proverbs 13:10
Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom in the future.
Proverbs 19:20
Without counsel plans fail,
but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 15:22
As I reread the passage, I am reflecting on the questions, “How is my life touched by this word?” and “How does this passage connect with my life?”
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 13:20
Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs 11:14
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 12:15
By insolence comes nothing but strife,
but with those who take advice is wisdom.
Proverbs 13:10
Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom in the future.
Proverbs 19:20
Without counsel plans fail,
but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 15:22
The Book of Proverbs is all about gaining wisdom. Wisdom in Scripture is defined as “Skill in living”. Wisdom is necessary to gain if we want to have great discernment in this life. One of the great gifts God has given us in this life is a community around. Proverbs is very clear that it matters who we surround ourselves with because we need their help and their advice. We were not made to be an island to ourselves. So after we see what Scripture has to say about whatever it is we are seeking we then turn to wise counsel. Our hope is not just to take advice from anyone, but to heed the advice of the wise in our life. It matters who we listen to and we want to heed the advice of those who fear the Lord and are seeking after his heart and his direction in their lives because that is what we want in our own lives.
Lord, I ask that you would surround me with wise counsel. Bring people into my life who love you and that I can trust.
Lord, as I look at the world around me my soul can easily fall into despair. In a world full of brokenness and sin, I ask where does my help come from? You hear me and you remind me that my help comes from you the maker of heaven and earth. I ask that you would pour out your Spirit upon this world. Bring a supernatural revival that this world is desperate for that only you can bring. Show us your glory that we may praise you forevermore.
As I read the passage for the final time, I listen for 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?
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 13:20
Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs 11:14
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 12:15
By insolence comes nothing but strife,
but with those who take advice is wisdom.
Proverbs 13:10
Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom in the future.
Proverbs 19:20
Without counsel plans fail,
but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 15:22
Yielding Prayer
Lord, you have given me the great gift of community so give me humility to use it and to be a part of it. Give me strength to ask for help and advice. Surround me with a community that loves and desires you above all else!
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Isaiah 55:8-9:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9
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.
*The P.R.A.Y. acronym has been adapted from the Lectio 365 app.