P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
We end the week with John reassuring us how great God is as opposed to the spirits of this world.
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
Father God,
As I enter into your presence I ask that you meet with me here. I call upon the Words that you gave your people in Jeremiah 32. I ask that I would be a member of your people and that you would be my God. That you would give me a heart that will fear you forever. Remember your everlasting covenant to me now and do not turn away from doing good to me. Give me a heart that fears you and does not let me turn from you. Show me your kindness today. Amen.
We choose to rejoice in the power of God’s Word, with all his people in Psalm 111…
He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
Psalm 111:9-10
Today we are reflecting on the words of John in 1 John 4:4-6, where we read:
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
1 John 4:4-6
Read this passage over yourself and experience the assurance that can only come from God. We may look at the world and our current culture and see a losing battle, but that is the furthest thing from the truth. We serve a God who has no rival or equal in this world. He is greater and by the sacrifice of his Son he has overcome sin, evil, and death and we can trust him with all things.
With that trust, we are then called to listen. Knowing that there are many in our world deceived by the devil and won’t listen, we know we are his by the way we listen to his voice.
Jesus, fill me with this truth today that you are greater. That you have overcome all things in this world. That you have subdued evil. I fight a fight with the outcome already decided, because of what you have done on my behalf.
Reflection Questions:
1) Where do I doubt that God is able to overcome this world?
2) Am I listening to God?
Lord,
Today I pray the prayer that Ezekiel prayed over the dry bones in the valley. I pray it over the dry bones of our nation. I ask and plead with you as I pray:
O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 37:4-6)
Revive us, Lord.
As I read the passage again slowly, I listen for anything that You would say to me in it. Help me see how to position my life in order to yield to your word…
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
1 John 4:4-6
Yielding Prayer
Lord, I surrender my life to you. You are the great overcomer. You have won a battle on my behalf and for that, I am eternally grateful. Give me ears to hear you calling and a heart willing to go where you lead.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in John 10:10-11..
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:10-11
Closing Prayer
Lord,
Thank you for meeting with me in this time. As I go from here fill me with your Spirit. Do not let me forget who you are or who I am in light of that. Make me your ambassador to my family, friends, and in my workplace. Pour out your love and mercy on me as I pour it out on all those that I will come into contact with this day. Let those around me see you as I live for you. Amen.