P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
We continue our “One Thing” series and get a front row seat to Jesus’ interaction with Mary and Martha.
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, you promise that if I draw near to you, you will draw near to me. In this time, let me experience your presence. Where there is anxiety, would you bring peace? Where there is doubt, would you bring confidence? Where there is despair, would you bring joy? In this time, restore my soul and let me behold you.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 105…
Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
O offspring of Abraham, his servant,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
Psalm 105:1-6
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42
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?”
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42
On first read, my heart is for Martha here. There are things to get done. This life is busy, full of responsibilities. I don’t have the luxury to just sit down at your feet, Jesus. So, the rebuke of Jesus hits hard. I’m distracted by busyness, so I miss the presence of Jesus in my day-to-day life. I base my worth on my performance. I’m so busy trying to produce enough that my identity gets warped. Jesus calls Martha anxious and troubled. He tells her that one thing is necessary, and he never explicitly says what it is. I think that is purposeful. He is inviting us to use the actions of Mary and Martha as a mirror to our own lives.
Lord, I ask that you show me where I am anxious and troubled. Let me experience the one necessary thing.
“The true man of God is heartsick, grieved at the worldliness of the Church, grieved at the toleration of sin in the Church, grieved at the prayerlessness in the Church. He is disturbed that the corporate prayer of the Church no longer pulls down the strongholds of the devil.”
-Leonard Ravenhill
Oh Lord, we pray that you would impress upon our hearts this great need of revival in your church! May we labor in prayer until you come and show yourself strong for us, who trust in you!
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?
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42
Yielding Prayer
Lord, I am restless till I rest in you. Show me what is most important. Fill me with your Spirit and transform my heart. I trust you and your goodness in my life.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in James 4…
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
James 4:7-8
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.