P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
We left off with a cliffhanger yesterday! So what does it mean to be born again?
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, as I approach your throne today would you open my eyes to your Scriptures? I ask that you would make your Word burn in my heart as I meet with you.
We choose to rejoice in the power of God’s Word, with all his people in Psalm 25…
“Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.
Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love
for they have been from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!”
Psalm 25: 4-7
Today we are reflecting on the words of Jesus in John 3, where we read:
“Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
John 3: 5-8
We open up the week reflecting on Jesus’ interaction with Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a member of the Pharisees who staunchly oppose Jesus during his life, hence why he came to Jesus at night. The overlooked portion of this story is the curiosity about Jesus that Nicodemus has. He is part of a group that had already made up their minds about who Jesus is, yet Nicodemus comes intrigued by Jesus. We see that he doesn’t have all of the answers about Jesus, but he comes in humility wanting to know.
Jesus hits him with maybe the most confusing bit of information anybody can receive. Jesus says in order to enter into the kingdom of God you must be born again. Nicodemus not knowing what maybe you and I know is shocked about someone going through a physical birth again. Jesus will explain what he means to Nicodemus and us tomorrow. Today though think and meditate on what it looks like to come to Jesus in humility with questions about wanting to know him more.
Jesus, I ask that you would show me the Spirit’s work in my life. Show me where you are working even if I cannot control or understand it.
1)Have I been born again?
2)Can I see the effects of the Spirit’s work in my life?
Lord, we ask that you would come and meet your Church in power this Advent season. As we prepare our hearts to celebrate your arrival on this earth, would you pour out your Spirit on your people? This season open our eyes afresh to the work that you are doing in us and through us. Break us of the busyness and the noise as we seek to see your face. Show us your glory.
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…
“Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
John 3: 5-8
Yielding Prayer
Jesus, I come to you humbly knowing that we are not equals. I yield my life to your word. You are the only answer to the questions spinning in my head. Would you allow me to humbly receive whatever answer you give me when I ask? Teach my heart to trust in you.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in 2 Corinthians 5:17…
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
Closing Prayer
Jesus, you entered into humanity to save the world. Let me experience your love and mercy as I go from this moment. Give me your Spirit to live a life in my humanity that points others to you in order that they too might be saved.
*The P.R.A.Y. acronym has been adapted from the Lectio 365 app.