P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
This coming Sunday is our annual Bethany Christian School Sunday, and our Head of School/Elder Erik Most will be preaching. One of the great gifts we have as a church is the ministry of BCS. Hundreds of families call this place their school home and get to hear about the love of Jesus each and every day through the work and mission of our school!
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, as I come to you this morning, would you take what seems ordinary and by your power bring an extraordinary, supernatural response? You are the God of Resurrection, so meet with me now.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 145…
One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
and I will declare your greatness.
They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
Psalm 145:4-7
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.
Psalm 78:1-4
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?”
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.
Psalm 78:1-4
God never intended his truth to end with one generation. Psalm 78 calls us to remember what God has done and faithfully tell his story to those who come after us. Children need more than information about God; they need to hear the testimony of people who have experienced his faithfulness. As families, churches, teachers, and mentors, we have the privilege of showing the next generation that God is trustworthy. We speak of his works so that they will place their hope in him, remember his commands, and continue telling his story.
Lord, I ask that you remind me of your faithfulness and give me courage to tell the next generation about it.
BCS has 400 students enrolled this year from newborns to 8th graders! Take some time to pray for them. Pray for their hearts and that the Lord would reveal himself. Pray for their health and safety this coming year. Pray for their studies. Pray that this would be the year of salvation for many of them!
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?
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.
Psalm 78:1-4
Yielding Prayer
Father, I yield my words, experiences, and influence to you. Help me faithfully tell others what you have done so that the next generation will place its hope in you.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Isaiah 54…
All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
and great shall be the peace of your children.
Isaiah 54:13
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