P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
The Bible is a collection of 66 books written by many authors in various literary styles. This week, we begin a new series called “Faith in Action” in the Book of James. The Book of James is a letter written by James to a specific audience dealing with specific issues. Overall, the Letters written in the New Testament are more direct in their subject matter and in how they handle topics than Biblical narratives in other parts of Scripture. With that, Personal Worship may look a little different some days with a shorter, more focused selection of verses! So with that, feel the freedom to slow down and meditate deeply.
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
Father, as I come before you now, I quiet my heart and turn my attention to you. Thank you for your presence and for the gift of your Word. Open my eyes to see your truth, open my ears to hear your voice, and open my heart to receive what you want to speak today. Remove distractions and stir my spirit to listen with faith and respond with obedience. May this time with you draw me closer, deepen my love for you, and shape me more into the image of Christ.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 16…
You make known to me the path of life in your presence there is fullness of joy at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:1-4
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?”
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:1-4
The James who authors this letter is not sure, because all he says about himself is that his name is James and he is a servant of God. With some details taken from the letter itself, historically, James, the half-brother of Jesus, is credited with writing this book of the Bible. That is fascinating because until after the resurrection, James did not believe that Jesus was who he said he was! Throughout the gospels, we see Jesus’ family members trying to get him to stop his actions. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, James becomes a champion of the gospel and plays a huge role in the church at Jerusalem. He begins his letter going full steam ahead. He is encouraging the church that has been dispersed to see what their trials are doing for them and to respond with joy. He is reminding them and us that the sovereignty of God is doing something with all of our trials and sufferings. We are being grown in the midst of it all.
Lord, I ask that you give me joy in the midst of my trials. Give me eyes to see what you are doing through them.
Lord, we come to you with humble hearts, asking you to awaken what has grown cold. Breathe life into dry bones and renew our love for you and for one another. Ignite a holy fire within us, that your name would be honored in our homes, our churches, and our world. Turn our eyes from sin and draw us back to your presence. Revive us, O God, that we may live for your glory again. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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?
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:1-4
Yielding Prayer
Lord, in obedience, teach my heart to cry out in joy in the face of my trials. Let me experience that my trials are testing my faith and when that happens, steadfastness is produced. Let steadfastness have its full effect and let me be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Philippians 1…
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
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.