P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Gather Weekly
Today we will look at one of the best reasons to gather: Because God brings victory through our praise!
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
For you alone my soul waits in silence; for from you comes my salvation. (Psalm 62:1) Teach me to trust that as I wait on you, you will continue the work of redemption that you began in me.
We choose to rejoice in God’s compassionate care for his people in the words of Psalm 121…
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2
Today we will reflect on a great victory God gave King Jehoshaphat of Judah, over his enemies. We know from 2 Chronicles 17:3-4 that, “The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel.”
During his reign, the Moabites, the Ammonites and some of the Meunites came against Judah in battle. And Jehoshaphat was afraid, and assembled all of Judah to seek the Lord in prayer and to fast, praying: “O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chron. 20:12) A Spirit of prophecy then came upon a Levite, Jeiel, in the midst of the assembly and he said:
Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.
2 Chronicles 20:15-17
Then we read that “they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said:
Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.” And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed
2 Chronicles 20:20-22
Many times in the Old Testament, the Lord saves his people so miraculously that they don’t even have to physically join in the fight, as they didn’t here! Other times, they do fight, but always with the understanding that the victory has come from the Lord’s hand. These people were thanking God for the victory in faith! It hadn’t come yet! And God gave them that victory in the midst of their praise!
Father, am I believing you for spiritual victory in my life? What is it that I need to release my hands from and trust that, as I earnestly seek your face in prayer and fasting, you will come in power and fight this battle for me?
Teach me how to stand firm and hold my position! Jesus, I wait to see your salvation on my behalf, believing and trusting that you will come!
My Father, maybe I have forgotten the power of seeking you corporately and worshiping together, in faith, for all you have promised to do for us! I wonder how often you want to pour out your Spirit amongst us but our hearts are not in it. Father, forgive us! Come and remind us of the power of our great God! We know that you are the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)! Have your way in us, I pray.
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.
Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.
2 Chronicles 20:15-17
Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.” And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed
2 Chronicles 20:20-22
Yielding Prayer
Often I feel guilt, Father. I feel like I am failing in my walk with you. I am not doing enough, trying hard enough! And yet, you tell me to seek your face, trust you and praise…that almost seems too easy. Break me of the lie that this Christian life is something I can do without your empowering presence. I yield to this call and thank you, my Jesus, that in you is the victory!
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me and fights my battles reminds me in Psalm 20…
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Psalm 20:7
Closing Prayer
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.1
1Phyllis Tickle, Divine Hours, Prayers for Summertime, (Doubleday: Random House), The Concluding Prayer of the Church, pg 51.