P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Today we look at who John the Baptist was and how he beautifully served the Lord with his 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, you tell us that you are good to those who wait for you and those whose soul seeks you. That is my desire today. I am waiting in your presence as my soul seeks you. Meet me in this place now.
We choose to rejoice in the power of God’s Word, with all his people in Psalm 7:
My shield is with God,
who saves the upright in heart.
God is a righteous judge,
and a God who feels indignation every day.
Psalm 7:10-11
As you read the passage, ask the Lord to reveal a word or phrase that stands out to you.
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Mark 1:1-8
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?”
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Mark 1:1-8
John the Baptist’s life calling was to prepare the way for Jesus. He had a huge ministry going for him when Jesus entered the scene. All of the country of Judea and all of Jerusalem was going to him to be baptized this is huge. John knew it wasn’t about him. That is oftentimes easy to understand in our minds but is difficult to live out in our lives. We are prone to make all things about us in our sins. John’s humility was astounding because he knew that when Jesus began ministry his ministry disappeared and he was perfectly okay with that. In fact, he was longing for Jesus to come because Jesus is far mightier and more worthy than anyone else.
Lord, I ask that you would give me the heart of John the Baptist. Give me a heart that sees you as far mightier and more worthy than anything in this world.
Lord, in this season of waiting I ask that you would move supernaturally in this world. For a season of time send your Holy Spirit to this world in a supernatural way. Let those who are lost be found and those who are dead be made alive. Move powerfully and let all of the glory belong to you.
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?
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Mark 1:1-8
Yielding Prayer
Lord, you are worthy of it all. Let me yield in obedience to the truth that this life is not about me. Let me respond to the invitation to pour out my life for your glory because that is the greatest thing I can do with the time you have given me on this earth.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
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.