P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
Today, we remember that because we have been raised with Christ, we are called to set our hearts and minds on the things above and live from our new identity 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, you are above all things and everything in my life. I humbly come to your feet in worship. Remind me by the power of your Word of who you are, of who I am, and what you have called me to in this life. Fill me with a desire to behold you now.
I choose to rejoice, with all God’s people, in the powerful promise that God gives us in Psalm 16…
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11
As you read the passages below, ask the Lord to cause a word or phrase to stand out to you.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4
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?”
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4
Paul reminds us that Jesus is seated at God’s right hand. He is in the seat of power and privilege. If we have been raised with Christ, then our gaze and our desires change. We no longer seek the things of this earth, but we seek the things of Jesus. Paul reminds us that our life is hidden with Christ in God. We are safe with him in the midst of all circumstances, so we can take our eyes off of our circumstances and behold Jesus.
Lord, by the power of your Spirit, teach me what it looks like to seek the things above.
Lord, revive your people’s desires! Fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit and let us seek the things that are above.
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?
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4
Yielding Prayer
Lord, in obedience, because I have been raised with Christ, I seek the things that are above. Let me forget what this world offers and seek Christ, who is my hiding place today. Remind me how all of this ends, that one day I will appear with you in glory.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Galatians 2…
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
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