P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Today, we turn our eyes again to the overwhelming sufficiency of Jesus and remember that everything we need for salvation, forgiveness, and new life is found in him.
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
Jesus, let me behold you today. By the power of the Holy Spirit, let me see you for who you are! You are the God who deserves all honor and glory forever. Open my eyes to your Word today.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 103…
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
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 103:10-12
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Colossians 2:8-15
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?”
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Colossians 2:8-15
Paul warns us not to be taken captive by ideas that promise something greater than Christ, because nothing and no one can improve upon Jesus. In him the fullness of God dwells, and through him we have been given everything necessary for reconciliation with God. We were spiritually dead, but God made us alive with Christ and forgave all our trespasses. At the cross, Jesus canceled the record of debt that stood against us and triumphed over the powers that opposed us. Because of Christ, we do not have to live trying to earn what he has already freely accomplished for us.
Lord, I ask that you fill me with the fullness of who you are.
Lord, revive your church with a renewed vision of Jesus’ greatness and sufficiency. Free us from every substitute we have trusted and every burden we have tried to carry ourselves. Let the wonder of the cross awaken worship, freedom, and boldness among your people.
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?
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Colossians 2:8-15
Yielding Prayer
Jesus, I choose to walk in you today. Root my heart in your truth, build my life upon your grace, and establish me firmly in faith. Lead every step I take and let my life overflow with thanksgiving.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Romans 8…
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1
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