P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Last week we looked at our kids and God and this week we look at our kids and us!
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 God over all of creation. You are the God who looks at the storm and tells it to be still and it obeys. I ask the same for my own soul now. Would you meet with me and make me still? With all of the storms swirling I sit at your feet and I desire and seek peace. Fill me with your Spirit at this moment.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 46…
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Psalm 46:1-3
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Exodus 20:12
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?”
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Exodus 20:12
After God delivers the people of Israel from Pharoah he sends them to Mt. Sinai and he gives Moses the Ten Commandments. God chose the Ten Commandments to tell his people how they should live. The first four have to do with man’s relationship with God. The final six have to do with men’s relationship with each other. Commandments like do not murder and do not commit adultery, yet the first one God gives when dealing with this subject of how to live amongst each other is that his people are called to honor your father and mother. There are no caveats. God doesn’t say as long as your parents live up to the standard that you have created you must honor them. This is also the only commandment with a promise. Of all the commandments, if this one is obeyed then God promises that your days will be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. So we begin this week thinking about what it looks like to honor our parents at all seasons of our lives.
Lord, you see the relationship between a parent and child as beautiful, necessary, and impactful for both parties. So I ask now that you show me what you have for me today.
Lord, send us revival again. We are a broken and messed up people and we need a supernatural move of your Spirit in us. Let it begin in the Church and let it begin with repentance. We humble our hearts as we seek your face.
As I read the passage for the final time, I listen for 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?
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Exodus 20:12
Yielding Prayer
Lord, give me obedience to your Word. You are the God who designed every part of this world and every life in it. Your ways are higher than my ways. So I ask that you give me strength to obey you when it comes to honoring my parents. Meet me with your Spirit and let me experience you in all of your glory.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Numbers 6…
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
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.
*The P.R.A.Y. acronym has been adapted from the Lectio 365 app.