P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Today, we come before the Lord, asking him to prepare our hearts for the coming King.
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, I bow down at your feet today. Prepare my heart now as I enter into your Word through the Scriptures and prayer. Meet with me and let me see your beauty, and let that transform me by the power of your Spirit.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 24…
Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!
Psalm 24:7-8
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.’”
Matthew 3:1-3
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?”
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.’”
Matthew 3:1-3
John the Baptist comes preaching in the wilderness, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Before Jesus’ public ministry begins, God sends a messenger to prepare the way. The preparation is not mainly outward activity, but inward repentance. The King is coming, and the proper response is to turn from sin and make room for his rule. This passage reminds us that God’s nearness is not casual; his kingdom calls for surrender, confession, and readiness.
Lord, I ask that your kindness would lead me to repentance today.
Lord, revive our hearts by awakening us to the nearness of your kingdom. Make us humble, responsive, and ready to receive all that you desire to do in us. Let repentance become a doorway to renewed joy, deeper obedience, and greater love for Christ.
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?
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.’”
Matthew 3:1-3
Yielding Prayer
Father, I yield my heart to you today. I turn from the sins I have excused, the distractions I have welcomed, and the pride I have protected. Prepare the way of the Lord in me, and help me walk in glad obedience to Jesus my King.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Isaiah 57…
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Isaiah 57:15
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