P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Today, we come to Jesus, remembering that he sees the crowds with compassion and calls us to pray for laborers in his harvest.
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 are the Creator of heaven and earth. You have power over all things. When you speak, all the atoms of the earth obey. Remind me of who you are. In the midst of all of your power, you are still good. Give me trust and belief in you today.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 145……
The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
and his mercy is over all that he has made.
Psalm 145:8-9
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:35-38
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?”
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:35-38
Jesus goes through the cities and villages teaching, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and affliction. When he sees the crowds, he is moved with compassion because they are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Together, we are invited to see people the way Jesus sees them. The need is great, the harvest is plentiful, and the workers are few. Before Jesus tells us to go, he tells us to pray. The mission begins with compassion, dependence, and a prayer for God to send laborers into his harvest.
Lord, give me a heart of compassion for those who do not know you. Give me faith to go out and proclaim your Word, knowing it does not return void.
Lord Jesus, revive our compassion for the lost, the weary, the wounded, and the helpless. Give us eyes to see the harvest, hearts that ache with your mercy, and lives ready to serve your mission.Lord Jesus, revive our confidence in your victory over darkness. Come into the places we fear, the wounds we hide, and the bondage we cannot break. Let your authority bring freedom, healing, and worship.
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?
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:35-38
Yielding Prayer
Lord Jesus, I yield my indifference, my distraction, and my reluctance to enter the harvest. Give me your compassion for people, teach me to pray with urgency, and make me willing to be sent wherever you lead.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me 2 Corinthians 5…
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:20-21
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