P.R.A.Y. Acronym

P - pRAISE

When we start with praise it prioritizes God; it shows we are putting Him first above our wants.  

 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

When we start with praise it sets the tone/atmosphere/mood and prepares our hearts to receive and hear from God who is worthy of our praise! 

 “Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” Psalm 145:3

R - rEPENT

We ALL have issues! We need to turn away from these things and turn back to God!  

 “If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.” 1 John 1:10

But you are a new creature, your past does not define your future. Vs 9 before Vs 10:

 “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”  1 John 1:9

Ask God to search your heart and put his finger on any area that you need to confess and repent of.  But don’t stop there!  Confess, take ownership, Repent, asking Him to help you turn away but add to it:

  • Rebuke the enemy to leave you alone in the name of Jesus!

  • Ask the Holy Spirit to Fill you anew.

 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Ps 51:10

A - aSK

What has God put on your heart? What do you need? What does He want you to do? Who does He want you to pray for?  

 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”  Matt 7:7

Maybe you need to pull out today’s 21-day Devotional and use that as a spark.

  • It may be for you; something you need, something you feel He wants you to do.

  • It may be for someone else. This is called Intercession! Intercession and Mediation are two interchangeable words. We have the privilege to stand before our Father and mediate on behalf of someone else!

Y - yIELD

What is standing in the way of you receiving all God has for you? YOU!!  We need to “surrender” and give up our control to Him!

 “the only way you can live the abundant life God has for you (the only way you can have an abundant day today), is for you to fully surrender life to Him AND adopt His way of doing things!!”  Freedom

Ask God to search your heart for anything that is standing in the way of your accomplishing what He wants to do today through you!!  Bill Hybels says he prays this prayer every morning:

 “My life is in YOUR hands today God.  Use me to point others to you – I promise to cooperate with you in any way I can.  If you want me to say a word for you today, I’ll do it.  If you want me to keep quiet but demonstrate love and servanthood, I’ll do that instead.  I am fully available to you today, so guide me by your Spirit!”