P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
James teaches us about temptation today.
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 1 Corinthians 10…
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
James 1:12-15
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 is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
James 1:12-15
James wants us to see that our trials and sufferings are doing something. The blessed man who receives the crown of life remains steadfast under trial. Then he gives us a theology lesson that is quite practical. He tells us that God tempts no one. He tempts no one. We are tempted when we are lured and enticed by our desires. Like Eve in the Garden of Eden, desire gives birth to sin.
Lord, let me see your beauty. You are the God of goodness; there is no evil within. Give me faith to remain steadfast under trial today.
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?
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
James 1:12-15
Yielding Prayer
Lord, you are not my tempter; my own desires lure and entice me. Transform my desires. Give me faith and strength to remain steadfast under trial. Lord, let me receive the crown of life at the end of all of this. Fill me with your Spirit now.
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.