P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Today we will think about what it looks like to live a life that truly believes in no condemnation for those who believe.
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…
“Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
bring me out of my distresses.
Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.
Consider how many are my foes,
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for you.
Redeem Israel, O God,
out of all his troubles.”
Psalm 25: 16-22
Today we are reflecting on the words of Jesus in John 3, where we read:
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
John 3: 17
Jesus’ mission is clear. It is a mission of saving, not condemning. It is a mission of bringing those far-off close. It is easy to reverse that when we think about it. It is easy to lead with the idea that Jesus comes due to his disapproval of us. That Jesus comes in anger. That is not his heart though. His heart at his first coming is gracious and merciful. He comes tenderhearted as a baby to this earth. He draws us in not with his anger, but with his love.
Experience this verse anew today. That Jesus Christ came into the world to save you and not to condemn you. It is so easy for us though to condemn ourselves even after Jesus’ saving work for us. It is easy to hang ourselves back up on the cross due to the sin that Jesus has already forgiven. So today no matter what shame or guilt you are holding onto, be set free that Jesus came to save and not to condemn. That all you have to do is bring it to him in confession and receive mercy.
Lord, I ask that you remove all condemnation from my mind. I know that you do not condemn me, but it is so easy for me to condemn myself and those around me. Let me see you and your work for what it is, a saving of sinners, not a condemning of sinners.
1)Why is this verse hard for me to believe?
2)What does it look like to trust that Jesus came to save and not condemn?
3)What does a life that knows there is no condemnation look like?
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…
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
John 3: 17
Yielding Prayer
Jesus, as odd as this sounds I yield to your love. It should be easy to receive, but oftentimes it is difficult to believe you can love me as you do. I struggle with the fact that you come to save me and not condemn me. That the holy God that you are would sacrifice your life for me. Give me faith to trust and take the doubt that is so easy away from me.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Romans 8:1 …
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:1
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.