Y'all remember this song...
I've said time and time again on this blog that I live in a song! Pray by MC Hammer came straight to my weirdo mind as I was thinking about this post. Now don't go getting your theology lessons from MC Hammer, but it's a catchy tune, right?!
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Prayer. It's not optional--it's required for growing in godliness:
- Luke 11:9, "And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
- Matthew 6:9, "Pray then like this..."
- Matthew 6:6, "But when you pray..."
- Matthew 6:7, "And when you pray..."
- Colossians 4:2, "Devote yourselves to prayer."
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray continually."
- Luke 11:1, "Lord, teach us to pray."
If our Lord Jesus prayed, how much more should we?
"But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray." Luke 5:16
We must learn to pray by praying, studying our Bibles, meditating on scripture, and memorizing scripture. We got to pray!
For me, praying has been one of the tougher spiritual disciplines. I know it shouldn't be that way and I have been working on being more disciplined to spend time in uninterrupted prayer. I've found that the ACTS model, journaling prayers, and praying scriptures has really helped my prayer life get the kick-start it needed.
My form of the ACTS model:
Adoration: From the scriptures (particularly what I read in my Bible study), what has been revealed to me about God and how can I praise Him? (i.e. His faithfulness, patience, grace, love, guidance)
Confession: Confessing sins. I usually take it a step further and confess sins that have been revealed to me through my Bible reading.
Thanksgiving: In what ways can I thank Him? I usually take the text from my Bible study and pick out things I'm thankful for and recite them in my prayer time.
Supplication: Requests. Not only are these personal requests, but often I am able to evaluate my spiritual needs based on sins that the Holy Spirit has shown me through studying the Word.
Some of my favorite scriptures to pray:
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14
"Lord, discipline me for the purpose of godliness." my version of 1 Timothy 4:7
How is your prayer life? Do you use a model? What are your favorite scriptures to pray?
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Love this! Prayer is something i struggle with to. I tend to just pray in need but I want it to be an ongoing conversation. I love praying any of the psalms. My favorite for sure!
ReplyDeleteI struggle with prayer too. This is awesome, thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteLeslie, so enjoying this series and this one is extra special because I think it's something we all struggle with from time to time. I have my quiet time each morning at 5:30 but often it becomes routine and not heart felt, so I have to be very careful. Wishing you a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are liking the series, Lea. I know the struggles of being disciplined in prayer too well. I am working on it...with His help!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your sweet comments, Julia!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments, Keri. Praying the Psalms are so good! I love that, too.
ReplyDeleteLol. We sing a lot of songs round our house too! Though they are usually ridiculous made-up ones that I would never sing in front of anyone :) Anyway, I love the ACTS model too! I'm using it to try to teach my son how to spray and I think it's helpful for kids to have something to grab onto, to prompt them a little. Thanks for this series!
ReplyDeleteI usually follow the ACTS model too... Someone once suggested that I pull up a chair next to me and talk to God the way I would talk to a friend - I love it because that's just what Jesus is... Our friend! Journaling also helps me too... My mind wanders and journaling helps me stay focused
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