P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Gather Weekly
Today we will look at the Lord’s command for us to gather for the purpose of remembering what he has done for us and encouraging our faith!
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 with all God’s people that Jesus has become our great high priest, in the words Hebrews 6…
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:19-20
In the following passage, the writer of Hebrews is reminding God’s discouraged people what Jesus has done for them (and us), and the things they should do in order to avoid that place of discouragement.
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:19-25
Jesus has made it possible for us, through his death on the cross, to come directly into the holy of holies, the place in the temple divided by a veil where God dwelled. Under the old covenant, only the high priest, in much fear and trembling, could enter into that holy place. Now, because Jesus has “torn the veil,” removing everything that once stood between us and God through his death on the cross in payment of our sins, we can come boldly into God’s presence!
Therefore we are urged to draw near to God, holding fast to this hope that we have in Jesus. As the great 19th Century preacher, Charles Spurgeon once said, “That exhortation, ‘Let us hold fast,’ might well be written on the cover of every Christian’s Bible. We live in such a changeful age, that we need all to be exhorted to be rooted and grounded, confirmed and established in the truth.”
As we obey the command to meet together in worship, we are strengthened and encouraged. When we sing of God’s greatness and sit under his word, we are reminded of the certainty of our hope! He is our anchor in the storm all around us.
My Jesus, what is my tendency when I am discouraged? Do I isolate and stay away from church, or do I come to be encouraged? Have I viewed this instruction to not forsake meeting together as just a suggestion, or as a command that you have lovingly given, in order that I might stay anchored to you?
This Sunday, keep my eyes open to anyone who may need my encouragement. May I come into the worship service this week ready to joyfully draw near and find my peace and rest in you!
Father, as the tides turn so quickly around us, and it feels like our country has lost its moral bearings, I pray for my brother and sisters, that we would cling to the hope that we have in you. I lift up our country to you now and ask that you stir your people up in love and good works as we gather and then send us out to shine your light as you direct. Grant grace and mercy for the sins of our nation and come in healing!
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.
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:19-25
Yielding Prayer
I choose today to yield to your will, Father. As I step out in faith to obey your call to gather and to encourage my fellow believers, open the doors to new friendships and help me to listen for and to hear the word you want me to cling to this week!
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who has loved me and forgives my sins says to me in Lamentations 3…
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21-23
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.