How To Pray
When I first came to Christ from the New Age, I had an idea of prayer, specially growing up in a culturally catholic home.
I’m my pagan past I spoke to trees, rivers, even wind and animals. I communication with spirit guides and entities… it couldn’t have been that hard to pray, right?
Took me by surprise that after my first encounter with Jesus, I wanted to talk to him so I would say the Lord’s Prayer, over and over. I thought that was prayer and talking to God was something else. I repeated the prayer throughout my day without stopping to even think about what it meant, truly, I wanted my situation to change, I was scared and felt unsafe. The prayer helped me stay centered on God while I navigated difficult situations, even if I was just reciting words and not fully engaging, God was working in my heart.
I’ve learnt a few things through trial, experimenting, talking, listening, praying a lot and Scripture. One thing was that God is a relational God. Our Lord is alive and we are to speak to Him as such. Jesus is a friend, a brother who intercedes for us. God is our Heavenly Father who wants to listen AND speaks back!
He communicates in different ways and only you can discern, with the help from Holy Spirit, what comes from God and what is your own (wishful) answer.
One day at my Bible studies a lady, Donna, mentioned by passing a prayer acronym. A few weeks later I asked her and she explained them to me.
This is not to say this is the only or even the right way to pray, but A way that has benefitted me. I like structure and this is a wonderful theme to follow when you are not sure what or how to pray.
One thing that is very important is honesty, rawness, bringing it all forth to God. He already knows, yet, He still listens to us. He knows what’s in our hearts, minds, He knows it all; bringing prayers to Him demonstrates in a way how far we are coming in our journey with Christ and portraying the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
The acronym Donna mentioned was ACTS (which I memorised quickly as I loved that book in the Bible plus we are reading it in church at the moment!). Here I provide my personal take on each one based on my experience.
Let’s look at the acronym acts
A - Adoration
C - Confession
T - Thanksgiving
S - Supplication (Supply Need)
Adoration - Time to worship and praise God for everything He gives to you! He is the Creator of the Universe. The fact you are alive reading this means He has guided you and kept you safe. Many people have moments in their life where they ask ‘how did I make it through that?!’ God. God is your answer. Give Him praise and glory for what you have, what you see, for keeping you safe. His is the glory!
Confession - if you still battle with the fact you are a sinner, I get it. I hated being called a sinner before and massively opposed it. Truth is, we are flawed (we can all agree to this, right?!). This natural flaw is called sinful nature. We sin almost every day, in act or thought. Confessing our transgressions and iniquities is humbling ourselves to God as the only one who can forgive us. (Self forgiveness is NOT the same - might have to speak into idolatry and self idolatry another time). Forgiveness can only come from God dear ones. He forgives EVERYTHING. Every. Single. Thing you bring to Him, he forgives. Because he is just, merciful and full of grace. Why should we confess our sin? To come back into purity and communion with God.
Sin makes us dirty. Confessing allows God to cleanse us. Many sins open portals for the enemy to come into our mind and heart. We don’t want that! We want to live pure, in integrity and His grace.
Thanksgiving - Self explanatory. Give thanks to God for EVERYTHING you can think about! The Sun, stars, children, colours, your brain, job, husband, house, food, senses, extremities, your coffee this morning. Every day can be full of thanksgiving. This opens our eyes to appreciate the wonders all around us which are proof of God🌷
Supplication - Pray for someone else. Ask God to intercede for your friend, family, to heal the sick, to change the hard hearts of people (or yourself). This is the moment to pour out requests/needs (not wishes) and if they are aligned with his Will, He promises to fulfil because you asked in His name.
“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:24
Praying has been my #1 go-to no matter my ‘mood’. When happy, sad, angry, confused, doubting, you can always pray.
A different way I like to pray is by writing down my prayer. This has been a powerful tool that I can come back to and continue praying on. It also allows me to see where I was and how God works in my life. Not every orayer will be answered like we want. I make sure to be as open as I can to God’s Will and one of my constant prayers is to be joyful with what His Will is in my life, to follow it and rejoice in it humbly, giving Him all the glory.
God is good, all the time!
What scripture says about prayer:
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1 John 5:14 NIV
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NKJV
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 ESV
I hope this helps 🕊️