Introduction
The best way to get to know someone is to toak with that person often. God longs for you to know Him. The bible is full of invitations to enter into a deep, personal relationship with God the Father.
“If you seek him, he will be found by you” (1 Chronicles 28:9)
In Jeremiah 24:7, speaking of those who would become followers of Jesus Christ, God says, “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD.” Conversing with God is called prayer. To be more specific, prayer is us speaking directly to the living God of the Universe. We speak to God in prayer, God speaks back to us in Scripture.
Consider Hebrews 1:1-2:
Long ago, at many times and ain many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but bin these last days che has spoken to us by dhis Son, whom he appointed ethe heir of all things, fthrough whom also he created gthe world.
In the OT God spoke in many ways: the burning bush (Exodus 3), a talking Donkey (Numbers 22:21-39), and a still small voice (1 Kings 19:11-13). But today the verse’s verb is present and active. So how is it that Jesus is still speaking and he has ascended to the father? THOUGH THE WORD!
The acrostic ACTS will help you to develop your Prayer Life
A doration
C onfession
T hatnksgiving
S upplicaiton
1. Adoration is praise focused on who God is.
2. Confession is acknowledging your sins before God in order to receive forgiveness. When you received eternal life, a relationship with God will established, which will never be broken, but our daily fellowship with God can be hindered by unconfessed sin. Psalm 66:18 says, “If I have cherished sin in my heart, the LORD would not have listened.”
Therefore, when you sin:
1. Confess the sin when you realize you’ve committed it. See John 1:9.
2. Receive His promise of Cleaning. See 1 John 1:9b.
3. Claim victory over temptation. See 1 Corinthians 10:13.
Take time now to ask God to reveal any unconfessed sins. Say them out loud for God’s forgiveness, and receive His promise of forgiveness.
3. Thanksgiving is expressing gratitude to God for specific acts. When does God say we should give thanks (read 1 Thessalonians 5:18)?
List things in the following areas that can give thanks for; then spend time thanking Him.
Spiritual Blessings ____________
4. Supplication is making requests and expressing desires to God. They may take the form of personal petitions or intercession.
a. Petition is asking God for your needs (read John 15:7 and Philippians 4:6-7)
b. Intercession is praying for the needs of others (See Exodus 32:30-34 and Romans 10:1).
Review
Prayer is communication with God. It has to be learned, and it must be practiced.
The Elements of Prayer:
A doration
C onfession
T hatnksgiving
S upplicaiton
It is important for you to spend each day in prayer. When would be the best time for you to pray?
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