P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Abram gives to Melchizedek, but he refuses the blessings of Sodom.
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, as I come into this time with you will you meet with me? You promise that if I draw near to you, that you will draw near to me. I ask for that today. Let me experience your presence.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 103…
Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Psalm 103:20-22
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”
Genesis 14:21-24
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?”
And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”
Genesis 14:21-24
There are at least three reasons the Lord wanted Abram to refuse the blessings from the king of Sodom. First, this sends a clear message that the Lord’s salvation cannot be bought. It is free to all sinners in search of mercy. Second, the Lord did not want any witnesses to attribute Abram’s financial prosperity to Sodom. Lastly, the Lord did not want the wicked king of Sodom to have any influence over Abram. Abram glorified God by rescuing sinners at great personal cost and the priest of the God Most High was determined to bless him for doing so.
Lord, I ask that you show me where I am tempted by the riches of this world. Let me live for your blessing alone.
Lord, meet with your people again. Revive the hearts of your Church. Bring us back to our first love. Grace our cities with your Holy Spirit that brings resurrection life. Bring those who are dead in sin to life in 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?
And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”
Genesis 14:21-24
Yielding Prayer
Lord, you are the God who gives his people all their good and perfect gifts. Give me a heart of thanksgiving for all the blessings that you have bestowed upon me in this life. Keep me far from the temptations of this world. Fill me with your Spirit that my life will glorify you and you alone today.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Hebrews 7…
Consequently, he [Jesus] is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:25
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.