P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Abram denied the riches of Sodom after saving the people. Today, we see the Lord rewards that decision with a far greater reward than any earthly king could offer.
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, take me deeper into my relationship with you today. In a world full of distractions I ask that you pour out your Spirit on me now. Meet me where I am at, but don’t leave me here. Give me grace where grace is needed. Give me strength where obedience is needed. Hear my prayers and speak to me now.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 23…
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”
Genesis 15:1
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?”
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”
Genesis 15:1
Remember that Genesis 14 ended with Abram tithing 10% to Melchizedek and then refusing the reward that the king of Sodom offered him for Abram’s stunning rescue. If you are Abram you are wondering what is going on. It seems like you are being faithful and all of these great blessing are coming to you except the one that God has promised and you have yet to receive. God understands the heart of Abram and comes gently to him. God tells Abram three things that Abram definitely needs to hear at that moment. Do not be afraid, I am your shield, and Abram’s reward shall be very great. Three things Abram needed to cling to when it might not at that moment seem like it would all come to pass. We all find ourselves in that place at times. A place where hope in the promises of God is difficult. Where certain situations on this planet seem to be impossible. We too need to hear what God said to Abram that day. Do not fear. God is our shield. And our reward shall be very great because that reward comes from God and not earthly kings.
Lord, I ask that you remind me today that you are the God who tells me that I need not fear. That I can trust that you are my shield and that your reward for me will be great.
Oh, Lord, would you rend the heavens and come down? Meet with your people for a season of supernatural revival again. Pour out your Spirit. Set the captives free and bring faith to those who lack. Do not forsake us in our errors, but come again in power and glory.
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?
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”
Genesis 15:1
Yielding Prayer
Lord, sink these truths into my heart right now. Pour out you Spirit on me that I may not just read these promises, but I can experience them. Give me eyes to see that I do not have to be afraid because you are my God. You are my great shield that protects and defends me. That my reward from you on this day or the next will be great. Let me be obedient to live this life based on those truths alone.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Psalm 103…
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:8-12
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.