Praying is having a dialog with God—simply as if God was sitting throughout the counter from you. However generally my thoughts wanders. . .generally it appears that evidently I simply say the identical issues time and again. A prayer mannequin which I actually like is the ACTS prayer as a result of it retains me on observe. The acronym stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. Right here is the sample:
Adoration: Begin by praising God with phrases out of your coronary heart that describe why you love your God. As we spend time in adoration, we acknowledge and reward God for who God is and what God does. Throughout my prayers this morning I stated, “Pricey gracious God – you’re my creator, my good friend, my information – you’re trustworthy, forgiving, you’re my rock.”
Confession: 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, God is trustworthy and can forgive us our sins.” This a part of the prayer is to call these issues we have now finished which had been dangerous to our relationship with God, dangerous to others or dangerous to ourselves. So, this morning, I stated: “Please forgive me for I’ve uncared for a good friend who’s alone, lonely and sick. I’ve not frolicked studying your phrase. I’ve been consuming an excessive amount of junk meals.”
In the event you can not consider any sins which you’ve gotten dedicated, simply be quiet and hear and the Holy Spirit will reveal areas in your life that aren’t pleasing to God. A part of confessing the sin is to alter – to repent, to show in a brand new path—an energetic transfer in your half to not bask in that specific sin.
Thanksgiving: “In every thing give thanks.” 1 Thess. 5:18. Thanksgiving permits us to thank God for what God has finished for us, and thru us, proper now.
“Thanks for the attractive day, that I’ve significant work to do, for my well being, for my husband, my kids and grandchildren.” Probably, this a part of the prayer might be very lengthy. Additionally bear in mind to incorporate little fantastic touches which God provides to our lives like clear water to drink, electrical energy provide we are able to rely on, a surplus of meals in our fridge, sizzling showers, and so forth.
Supplication: Philippians 4:6: “Don’t be troubled about something, however in every thing, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, current your requests to God.” On this a part of the prayer, we ask God to satisfy the wants of ourselves and others.
- Pray for others. “Please be with a grandchild who’s in a difficult time and must make good selections.”
- Pray for world points. “I’m involved in regards to the individuals of Haiti and the rule of mobs, the abuse of ladies and kids. What ought to I do?” It’s good to do not forget that prayer is a means of connecting with God in order that God can empower us to take “motion.”
- Pray in your personal wants. “Pricey God, I proceed to battle with making good meals selections. Assist me O Lord.”
Could this ACTS prayer be useful to you as you join with God in prayer.
Keep in mind it’s also essential to be quiet and hear as a result of God might have a particular response to your ideas and phrases. For instance: I prayed this morning, “Assist me make higher meals selections.” A couple of minutes later the query got here, “What’s going to you do in the present day about your dangerous meals selections? What motion? What’s going to you do in regards to the chaos in Haiti?”
Keep in mind that the aim of prayer is to attach us with God in order that we may be empowered by God. . .empowered to know what to do after which to do it.
In the event you’re discovering your conversations with God getting off observe, strive the ACTS prayer. Amen
Up to date 2023
Karen Mulder is the founding father of the Knowledge of the Wounded ministry. She lives in Holland, Michigan together with her husband Larry.
