P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
The brothers return to Jacob without Joseph.
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, I come before you with a humble heart, longing to meet with you. Thank you for the gift of your Word and the privilege of prayer. Quiet my mind, still my spirit, and open my eyes to see your truth. May your Spirit guide me into understanding, and may my heart be soft to receive and obey. I draw near to you now, Lord, trusting that you will draw near to me.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 89…
O Lord God of hosts,
who is mighty as you are, O Lord,
with your faithfulness all around you?
Psalm 89:8
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes and returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?” Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him. Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.
Genesis 37:29-36
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?”
When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes and returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?” Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him. Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.
Genesis 37:29-36
The destructive effects of favoritism and hatred on a family are clearly seen in this passage. The brothers have time to make up a lie because they can’t tell their father the truth. It crushes Jacob. He says that he will go to his death with this mourning still on his heart. We receive one more piece of information on how God is weaving the story of Joseph, as the Bible tells us he ends up in Potiphar’s house, which will be important next week.
Lord, I ask that you show me who you are in the midst of these stories that are hard to see you in. This story may be extreme, but my life experiences can sometimes feel the same way, so show me your presence in the midst of difficult things.
Join us for Pray First, set your heart on God this week, asking Him to awaken a deeper longing for His presence.
“Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Prayer: Gracious Father, the last three days have been a raw confrontation with my own idolatry, sin, and flesh. It’s revealed how easily things can come between us, and at times, the battle feels overwhelming. And yet, in the midst of it all, You have not left me to fight alone! You have given me Your Spirit and have assured me that while I can do nothing apart from You, with You I am able to bear much fruit for Your Kingdom and walk in victory. Teach me today to lean fully on Your Spirit within me, that I may accomplish all You have called me to do.
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?
When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes and returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?” Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him. Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.
Genesis 37:29-36
Yielding Prayer
Father, I confess that in moments of grief, disappointment, or loss, I often cannot see beyond the pain. Yet I know you are a God who works all things together for good, even when I do not understand. Today, I yield my sorrow and confusion to you. I choose to trust that you are still writing my story and that your plan is greater than what I can see. Give me faith to wait with hope and courage, knowing that you are faithful.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Genesis 50…
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good
Genesis 50:20
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.