A Balanced Approach to Prayer
“Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. For I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.” - Psalms 51:1, 3-13 NLT
Take a moment to consider the content of your previous 2-3 prayer moments. Did you ask God for something? Did you pray for someone else? Did you honor God for His amazing attributes? Were you thankful?
Using a tool such as an acronym or prayer worksheet can help you be more balanced in prayer. The acronym ACTS was first documented in writing back in the 1800s to guide prayer time.
ACTS stands for:
- Adoration
- Confession
- Thanksgiving
- Supplication
Spend time adoring God; take time to contemplate His amazing qualities. He is your Creator, Father, and Friend. He holds time in His hands and is high above all things, yet He deeply cares for you.
As you move to confession, reflect upon your life and commit to turning away from sin. During this time, you may also feel compelled to make amends with those you have hurt as a result of your behavior.
Giving thanks — this one should be a no-brainer. Let's start with the breath in our lungs. Then...
As our hearts are filled with gratitude, jealousy dissipates. Our minds can only actively process one thought at a time. When we choose thankfulness, we create neural pathways that make it easier to be thankful in the future.
What is supplication? Simply put, it is making requests to God. After taking time to glorify Him, repent, and thank Him, spend some time asking God to meet your needs and the requests of people around you.
Father, forgive us for our wrong attitudes and the way we act out. Thank You for mercy. Lead us toward the path of life. Amen.
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