P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
The supernatural community created by the Holy Spirit is devoted to worship.
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
Lover of my soul, all my words fall short and I have nothing new. How could I express all my gratitude? I, therefore, command my soul to get up and praise the Lord. As I throw up my hands and give you my praise, I find joy in the pain and a peace that passes all my understanding.
– Tina Rosewell (based on “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake and God’s Word)
We choose to rejoice in the power of God’s Word, with all his people in Psalm 91:
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
Psalm 91:11-13
Today we are reflecting on the words of Scripture in Acts 2, where we read:
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47
The early church was devoted to worship. Their worship included the breaking of bread and the prayers. I believe “breaking of bread” refers to their regular observance of the Lord’s Supper for two reasons. The first is that in verse 42 it is sandwiched between two religiously loaded terms of fellowship and prayer. Secondly, in verse 46 breaking of bread and receiving food (eating food) are separated as two distinct events. So they were continually devoting themselves to remembering the death of Christ. They were consistently putting in front of their community the remembrance of the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. That was what their hearts were focused on day in and day out.
They also devoted themselves to the prayers. The text suggests that they were specific prayers both of Jewish and Christian origin. These prayers were seen with new eyes as they came to faith in Jesus. With joy, I’m sure they began writing and praying new prayers. All in all where the Spirit reigns God’s people devote themselves to the worship of him
Lord, open my eyes to the worship of you. What would it look like for my life to be devoted to the worship of you? Not just private devotion and worship, but a worship that is seen. I ask for your Spirit to create this devotion in me. A worship that pours out prayers to you day after day.
1)What would it look like for me to be devoted to worship?
2)How can I remember the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross today?
3)What does my prayer life look like in this season of my life?
Lord, would you send your Spirit again? We desire to see you move just like how you did through the early church in the Book of Acts. Wake your sleeping Church and give us your Spirit that is devoted to you alone. May we be able to say that you have added to our number day by day those who are being saved? Let your power rest on us.
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.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47
Yielding Prayer
Lord, pour out your Spirit on me that my heart would devote itself to the worship of who you are. That I would remember what you have done for me on Calvary and that prayers would pour forth from my soul. You are great and deserving of all praise and honor. Let my life be a life that is devoted to your worship that all may see and therefore see you.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in 1 John 1:7:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7
Closing Prayer
Lord, there is no one else and nothing else, that gives me that deep bubbling joy, that takes me unaware. I desire to sit here with you longer and my soul clamors for more time with you. And yet, I know I must move! One thing I desire is that I take you with me, everywhere I go, spreading your fragrance to those you would have me meet.
– Tina Rosewell
*The P.R.A.Y. acronym has been adapted from the Lectio 365 app.