Welcome back to Time in the Word! Two weeks ago we started our 2022 Healthy Spiritual Habits adventure talking about Bible Reading and Bible Study. You can catch part 1 here and part 2 here. Last week, in part 2, we tackled learning how to be a student of the Bible. A great way to study the Bible is to use the S.O.A.P. method. We coved S, O, and A. Today we will cover P, for prayer.
P- Stands for Prayer. Pray is a direct conversation with God. This is the most important part of your relationship with him. Prayer helps build your connection with God.
Prayer is the most challenging aspect of my Christian walk. Maybe I make it hard with my frustrations with prayer, when instead I should see it as a privilege to speak with the Creator of the Universe. You and I, at a moment’s notice, can call out to Him and He hears us.
This conversation should not be seen as leaving notes for the complaint department, though God does listen to our angst and woes. Prayer is a time to bring your “thanks” and “praise” for Him and what He has done in your life. There is a wonderful anacronym called A.C.T.S you can use to help you pray.
A- Stands for Adoration.
Adoration is you giving God your praise and worship. Paying Him honor and respect for the power, love, and mercy He has for you in your life. This is a great time to reaffirm to yourself and Him how much you appreciate His hand upon you and your life.
-ex.- Lord, I know you see me. I know you have the very hairs on my head numbered. Nothing good or bad happens to me without your approval. I know you will never leave me or forsake me. You love me and have blessings for me daily. I rest in this knowledge and trust in you.
Adoration is a wonderful time to pray verses that show your adoration of him. He loves to hear our prayers and speak to us. You are always His number ONE priority. There is no lineup for prayer!
I can share with you that many times I am completely ungrateful. My focus should be on being thankful for the goodness that DID happen yesterday and appreciating the gift of being alive today. I crab and complain because stuff didn’t go the way I wanted. Can you relate?
C-Stand for Confession.
Confession is owning up to the sins you committed and asking for forgiveness. Confession of your sins should be immediate. Don’t wait till your prayer time the next day. You can certainly reiterate your need for help working on a particular sin (like swearing, stealing, anger…) as part of your daily confession during prayer.
To me, confession renews me and allows me to move forward in living and walking out my Christianity. I think many folks get stuck and don’t realize that confessing sin is important for good growth. If you don’t own up to your shortcomings you’ll stay stagnant and that means the Devil has an open door to your life.
Friends, the buzzer just rang and that means I am out of writing space. Thanks for stopping in today! Join me next week in Time in the Word, and we will continue talking about prayer, ACTS, and its power in our life.
Michele Bruxvoort is sure to draw you in with her delightful sense of humor and love for living life. She enjoys reading, repurposing, as well as remodeling the family home with her husband. Drawing from her life experience as wife, mom, and follower of Jesus, Michele brings you a very honest and real perspective on life. When you don’t find her writing, you can find her mowing lawns, stocking shelves, taking care of her grandbaby and tackling her latest life adventure.
Wisconsin native and empty-nester, she now makes her home with her husband of 27 years in the South West Prairie plains of Minnesota.
