P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
We are in the Book of Hebrews today looking at the idea that the Scriptures lead us to transformation.
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 enter into your presence today I desire you to speak because your servant is listening.
We choose to rejoice in the power of God’s Word, with all his people in Psalm 111:6-10:
He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;
they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
Psalm 111:6-10
As you read the passage, ask the Lord to reveal a word or phrase that stands out to you.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:12-13
Today we are reflecting on the words of Scripture in Hebrews 4:12-13, where we read:
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:12-13
This passage can be terrifying at first because of the strong language that it uses. This passage leads us to the idea that reading the Scripture is not just for informational purposes. It is not a textbook, even though it deserves to be studied. Scripture is active and we read it to be transformed. When we come to the Bible we see who God is and we see who we are. Scripture leads us to confession because it shows us that we fall short of who God is. Scripture encourages us and reminds us of God’s unconditional love for us. As we read Scripture we read it in a way that cuts straight to our heart and not just our mind. This passage shows us the power that it has to do that if we give ourselves over to it in trust.
Lord, what do you want me to take away from this passage? What are you saying to me through this Scripture? Give me ears to hear.
Let’s pray. O God, O God, you know, the world is spinning on. Time is getting less and running out. Children are becoming youth, and youth becoming middle-aged, and middle-aged are getting old and dying. And you have said redeem the time for the days are evil. Lord, please don’t let us fail here. Lord, you do want us to be revived again. You do want to revive your people, Lord, individual people. And then, if the number of individual people can band together, then the church has been revived. God, revive your people. Grant, Lord, to help.
– A.W. Tozer
As I read the passage again slowly, I listen for anything that You would say to me in it. Help me see how to position my life in order to yield to your word.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:12-13
Yielding Prayer
Lord, I yield in obedience to what you have for me today. I yield and I allow your Scriptures to do exactly what this passage says. I desire to be transformed by your Word, so let it be in my life.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Isaiah 40:8:
The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.
Isaiah 40:8
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.