P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
We meditate on Commandments 7 and 8 today.
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, let me behold your glory. You are the one and only God. You are holy and good. Your steadfast love meets with your people. Meet with me today. Convict me where there is sin, and let me experience your grace and mercy. Fill me with your Holy Spirit now, and give me understanding.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 119…
My soul clings to the dust;
give me life according to your word!
When I told of my ways, you answered me;
teach me your statutes!
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!
Put false ways far from me
and graciously teach me your law!
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set your rules before me.
I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
let me not be put to shame!
I will run in the way of your commandments
when you enlarge my heart!
Psalm 119:25-32
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
“You shall not commit adultery.
“You shall not steal.
Exodus 20:14-15
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 5:27-28
As I reread the passage, I reflect on the questions, “How is my life touched by this word?” and “How does this passage connect with my life?”
“You shall not commit adultery.
“You shall not steal.
Exodus 20:14-15
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 5:27-28
God cares about marriage and believes any sex outside of a marriage between one man and one woman is adultery. Again, Jesus brings the commandment to the heart level when he adds lust to our hearts, being likened to adultery. God cares about these things, and he cares about personal property and what is rightfully someone’s not being taken from them.
Lord, search my heart and know my ways. Show me where my life is out of step with your Word. Let your kindness lead me to repentance today.
Lord, I repent of my lack of holiness and even a lack of a desire to be holy. Forgive me for seeing your Law as a burden and not a source of life. Fill me with your Spirit and transform my heart now.
As I read the passage for the final time, I listen to 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?
“You shall not commit adultery.
“You shall not steal.
Exodus 20:14-15
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 5:27-28
Yielding Prayer
Lord, you are God, and I am not, and that is a good thing. I ask that you show me who you are and your heart for me. Let me see that obedience to you does not lead to slavery but to freedom. Fill me with your Holy Spirit today.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Romans 8…
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2
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.