P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
We end the week with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
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 to you now, quiet my heart and open my mind. Help me to hear your voice through your Word and speak with you in prayer honestly and humbly. Fill me with your Spirit so I may understand, obey, and draw closer to you. I come not in my strength, but through the grace of Jesus. Meet me here, Lord.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 103…
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:11-12
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Luke 22:39-46
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 he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Luke 22:39-46
In the Garden of Gethsemane, we witness Jesus in deep agony as He prepares to face the cross. He prays honestly, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” His words reveal both the weight of suffering and His perfect submission to the Father’s will. Even as He wrestled in anguish, He chose obedience over comfort. Jesus shows us what it means to surrender completely to God—even when it’s costly. His prayer teaches us to bring our honest fears to God while ultimately trusting His wisdom, purpose, and plan.
Lord, meet with me now and let me see how far you went to reconcile me back to you.
Lord God, we come to you with humble hearts, asking for revival—begin in us. Stir what has grown cold, awaken what has fallen asleep. Renew our love for you, our hunger for your Word, and our passion to live for your glory. Cleanse us of pride, apathy, and sin. Fill us with your Spirit, that our lives may shine with compassion, truth, and holiness. Revive your church, Lord, and let it begin with me.
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 he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Luke 22:39-46
Yielding Prayer
Father, thank you for the example of Jesus, who chose your will above his own even when it meant pain and sorrow. Teach me to surrender like he did. When I face hard decisions or suffering, help me to pray with honesty and trust. Give me the courage to obey even when I don’t understand the outcome. Strengthen me by your Spirit to say, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” I want to follow you faithfully, just as Jesus did.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Proverbs 3…
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
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.