P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
We study the opening Words of Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount.
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 confess that I am a sinner that doesn’t even deserve to be in your presence. I thank you for the sacrifice of Jesus that allows me to confidently approach your throne today. Speak to me now.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in John 6…
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
John 6:37
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:1-11
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?”
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:1-11
Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with what have famously become known as The Beatitudes. He uses the word blessed which has a far deeper meaning than our culture’s version of it just meaning to be happy. Blessing comes from God and from being in relationship with him. Jesus’ version of blessed is much different than our worlds idea. Our world doesn’t love the idea of being poor in spirit or meek, because that is viewed as weakness. Jesus does though. The blessed behaviors have wild rewards that Jesus ends each Beatitude with.James packs a lot into these ten verses. James is warning against worldliness and what loving the world looks like. A friend of this world makes us enemies of God. All of these warnings and what is the active invitation we are given in order to not be enemies of God? He gives more grace especially to the humble. So we submit ourselves to God, resist the devil, and draw near to him. Humble ourselves before the Lord and he will exalt us.
Lord, break me of the ways of this world. Let me see the blessed life is the one that you have designed and called your people to.
Heavenly Father, we come before you with humble hearts, longing for your presence. Revive us, O Lord—breathe new life into dry places, awaken our souls to your truth, and stir in us a deep hunger for righteousness. Forgive our complacency and cleanse us from anything that hinders your Spirit. Let your love burn brightly within us, that we may shine for your glory. Pour out your Spirit afresh—renew our minds, heal our land, and draw many to your saving grace.
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?
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:1-11
Yielding Prayer
Lord, I want the kingdom of heaven. I desire to be comforted. I want to inherit this earth. I desire to be satisfied. I want to receive mercy. I desire to see you. I want to be called your son or daughter. I want a great reward in heaven. I just want to do it my own way. Forgive me for that and let me in obedience turn back to you. Let me see that you have designed this life and you have called me to follow after you.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Isaiah 66…
All these things my hand has made,
and so all these things came to be,
declares the Lord.
But this is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit
and trembles at my word.
Isaiah 66:2
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.