Prayer In Our Lives
Prayer cannot be reduced to a formula, but there are basic elements that should be included in a daily prayer routine. Praying daily is a vital part of our Christian lives, and a vital link with God. Prayer is a powerful thing, and your prayer life will help you grow as a Christian. Prayer will also help you in your daily walk with God. As your prayer life grows, and your faith grows, your prayer routine will reflect these changes. As you grow, and become closer to God, you will start to feel an urge to talk to God quite frequently – many, many times daily. As you grow, so too will your prayer life grow. Here is a guide to help you start your daily prayer routine, and help get you going. This is referred to as the ACTS routine. It is a simple format to get you started on a daily prayer routine. 1. Adoration – When you adore God, you want to praise Him, worship Him, exalt Him, and Lift Him up in your heart, in your mind, and with your lips. God loves adoration given to Him, and He loves to hear your words. 2. Confession – When we pray with adoration to God, the Holy Spirit starts to reveal sin in our lives that needs to be confessed. Confess these sins to God, and ask forgiveness. Pour out your heart to God when you ask for forgiveness of your sins. 3. Thanksgiving – Have an attitude of thanksgiving to God. Praise Him and thank Him for who He is, for the benefits that we enjoy because we belong to Him, for His Son who died for our sins, and that He is a loving God who controls all things. Thank Him for giving His blessings, and for controlling our adversities as well. When we pray with thanksgiving to God, and pour out our hearts with thanksgiving, He takes delight in us. 4. Supplication – This includes asking for help with our own needs, and asking for help for others on their behalf. Pray that your inner person may be renewed, that you will always be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and that the Holy Spirit will empower you. Pray for your spouse, your children, your parents, your neighbors, your friends, your enemies, and those that are in authority over you. Pray for the salvation of souls, for a daily opportunity to witness for Christ, for a daily opportunity to lead others to Jesus, and pray that God will lead you in your daily life to do His will.