P.R.A.Y

PAUSE

REJOICE & REFLECT

ASK

YIELD

Personal Worship

Today we look at how the author of Hebrews defines faith.

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.

Pause

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 approach your throne today I want to bury the truth you have for me deep in my heart. Restore my soul today. Fill me with your peace and your presence as I enter into this time.

Rejoice and Reflect

I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 19…

The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
  making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.

Psalm 19:7-11

As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Hebrews 11:1-3

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?”

Hebrews 11:1-3

The author of Hebrews defines faith for us. Oftentimes faith seems like one of those things that we know it when we see it. These verses help us define what we are called to. Faith calls us to be assured in hope even in moments when it doesn’t seem too hopeful. Faith calls us to the sure conviction of things even when we cannot see them. This is how God works and he calls us to this kind of faith.

Ask

Lord, I ask that you grow me in faith today wherever you are calling me.

How would I define faith?
What does it look like to assurance of things hoped for?
What does it look like to have a conviction of things not seen?
Where do I need God to grow my faith today?

Lord, revive us again! Let us see your glory. Pour out your Holy Spirit in a supernatural way that all can see. Bring many to faith and hope in you.

Yield

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?

Hebrews 11:1-3

Yielding Prayer

Lord, make this passage the guide of my life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that forms in me a life where I can be assured of hope and can be certain of things even when I don’t see them. Where there is doubt in my heart give me hope. Where there is uncertainty give me certainty. Not in my own power, but because I trust you today.

Yielding Promise

And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in 2 Corinthians 1:20…

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

2 Corinthians 1:20

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.