P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Today, we follow Jesus as peacemakers, even when faithfulness to him brings misunderstanding or opposition.
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, fill me with your Holy Spirit. Meet with me in this time. Enlighten not just my mind, but fill my heart with your truth. Transform me by the power of your Spirit more and more into your likeness.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 34…
Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm 34:14
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
“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 5:9-11
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?”
“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 5:9-11
Jesus blesses the peacemakers and those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Peacemaking is not avoiding conflict or pretending everything is fine; it is actively seeking the peace of God in truth, humility, repentance, and love. Jesus says such people will be called sons of God because they reflect the heart of their Father. But he also prepares us for the cost of righteousness. Faithfulness to Jesus may bring insult, rejection, or false accusations. Yet even then, we are blessed—not because opposition is easy, but because the kingdom belongs to those who endure with him.
Lord, I ask that you give me your heart today. A heart that seeks peace, withstands persecution, and can rejoice in the face of false accounts.
Lord, revive my heart with courage, humility, and love. Make me a peacemaker who reflects your character, and strengthen me to remain faithful when obedience to Jesus is costly.
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?
“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 5:9-11
Yielding Prayer
Father, I yield my resentment, my fear of people, my need to be understood, and my desire to protect my own comfort. Send me into this day as a peacemaker who belongs to your kingdom.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Romans 12…
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Romans 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