Sunday, January 28, 2024

P.R.A.Y.

While there are many ways to pray, one guide you can use is this P.R.A.Y. acronym. If we're being honest, sometimes we don't pray because we just aren't sure what to say next. As you use this, tell God what you're thinking and feeling about everything in your life and know he is listening. He wants to hear from you, the real you, and our hope is that as you do, you'll find it not only easier to pray but also to re-focus on the most important thing, Jesus himself.

P - Praise

What to do: Connect with God relationally and personally, remind yourself of who he is.

Thank you, God, for who you are:

• Creator
• Almighty
• Prince of peace
• Love
• Father
• Good, kind, merciful, and full of compassion towards us
• Never changing
• And so much more than we can even imagine

R - Release

What to do: Tell him (confess) about the sin, struggle, or hurt you are facing, and turn towards him, trusting he will help you.

God, I have been struggling with ________. I know that on my own I can only go so far. I release that to you. Amen. (Keep praying this over each area that comes to mind)

A - Ask

What to do: Ask him for what you need and want, ask him to give you more of his characteristics and heart as you ask him to meet all the different needs in your life.

God, I am asking that you would provide ______ (Be specific). I trust you with this, and I know that you provide everything I need. Help me to be ______ (Be specific) like you. Amen.

Y - Yield

What to do: Surrender what you want and may be trying to do on your own. Ask for him to grow you to trust his timing and his voice.

God, your will be done. Help me to trust that your plans and your ways are better than mine and your timing is always perfect, especially with ______ (Be specific). 

Over time you will see that God does answer your prayers. In the way that you want? No, not always. But because his way is always good, with humility we can trust him and yield to his will, come what may. 

Consider expanding your prayers to use Scripture as well. Praying God's Word back to him can be a powerful way to grow spiritually. 

One other thing - write down your prayers and then patiently, expectantly, and again, with humility, wait on God. He will answer them.

Matthew 7:7-8 [Jesus said] "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."