devoted to prayer as christians we are called to be a people who “devote yourselves to prayer”...

Devoted to PrayerDevoted to Prayer

As Christians we are called to As Christians we are called to be a people who be a people who

““Devote yourselves to prayer”Devote yourselves to prayer”Colossians 4:2Colossians 4:2

Devoted to PrayerDevoted to Prayer

The call to be devoted to prayer The call to be devoted to prayer

is is a responsea response to to

the love God has for us.the love God has for us.

Prayer is about Prayer is about

a relationship with God.a relationship with God.

Prayer & Relationship - ACTSSPrayer & Relationship - ACTSS

The ACTSS modelThe ACTSS model

A - AdorationA - Adoration

C - ConfessionC - Confession

T - ThanksgivingT - Thanksgiving

S - SupplicationS - Supplication

S - SurrenderS - Surrender

ACTSS - AdorationACTSS - Adoration

By beginning with AdorationBy beginning with Adoration

You focus on GodYou focus on God

You focus on your relationship You focus on your relationship with Him.with Him.

ACTSS - ConfessionACTSS - Confession

Hiding is part of sinning.Hiding is part of sinning.

In confession we allow God to pull In confession we allow God to pull back the covers back the covers

so that we may experience his so that we may experience his loving forgiveness.loving forgiveness.

ACTSS - ThanksgivingACTSS - Thanksgiving

Prayers of thanksgivingPrayers of thanksgiving

affirm that our prayers never begin affirm that our prayers never begin the conversation with God.the conversation with God.

Prayers of thanksgiving =Prayers of thanksgiving =

Our response to what God has Our response to what God has already donealready done

ACTSS - SupplicationACTSS - Supplication

Amazing truth:Amazing truth:

God works God works

through the prayers of his people.through the prayers of his people.

As Christians we are “Priests” -As Christians we are “Priests” -

““mediators/intercessors between mediators/intercessors between people and God”people and God”


The ACTSS modelThe ACTSS model

A - AdorationA - Adoration

C - ConfessionC - Confession

T - ThanksgivingT - Thanksgiving

S - SupplicationS - Supplication

S - SurrenderS - Surrender

ACTSS - SurrenderACTSS - Surrender

Scripture ReadingScripture Reading

Matthew 6:9-13Matthew 6:9-13

James 4James 4


““Most of my struggles in the Most of my struggles in the Christian life circle around the Christian life circle around the

same two themes: same two themes: why God doesn’t act the way we why God doesn’t act the way we want God to, and why I don’t act want God to, and why I don’t act

the way God wants me to. the way God wants me to. Prayer is the precise point where Prayer is the precise point where

those themes converge.”those themes converge.”Philip Yancey, Philip Yancey, PrayerPrayer


Jesus taught us to pray:Jesus taught us to pray:““Our Father in heaven,Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come,your kingdom come,

your will be done on earth your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” as it is in heaven.”

Mt. 6:9-10Mt. 6:9-10


How many times do we pray this How many times do we pray this without thinking?without thinking?

Who are we praying for Who are we praying for to do God’s will?to do God’s will?

Ourselves.Ourselves.


I meet all sorts of people who say I meet all sorts of people who say they are Christians but choose not they are Christians but choose not

to do God’s will.to do God’s will.

I see one looking at me I see one looking at me every time I brush my teeth.every time I brush my teeth.

Why?Why?


As Yancey said:As Yancey said:

““. . . why God doesn’t act the way . . . why God doesn’t act the way we want God to, and why I don’t act we want God to, and why I don’t act

the way God wants me to. the way God wants me to.

Prayer is the precise point where Prayer is the precise point where those themes converge.”those themes converge.”


Why God doesn’t do our will.Why God doesn’t do our will.

If the request is wrong, If the request is wrong,

God says “No.”God says “No.”

If the timing is wrong, If the timing is wrong,

God says “Slow.”God says “Slow.”

If you are wrong,If you are wrong,

God says “Grow.”God says “Grow.”Bill Hybels’ Bill Hybels’ Too Busy Not to PrayToo Busy Not to Pray


You don’t askYou don’t ask““You do not have because You do not have because

you do not ask God.” you do not ask God.” James 4:2James 4:2

Wrong/selfish motives.Wrong/selfish motives.When you ask, you do not receive, because When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may you ask with wrong motives, that you may

spend what you get on your pleasures.spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:3James 4:3


God calls us to surrender our wills God calls us to surrender our wills to his will.to his will.

““Your will be done, Your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.”on earth as it is in heaven.”


Jesus in the garden of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane.Gethsemane.

"Father, if you are willing,"Father, if you are willing,

take this cup from me; take this cup from me;

yet not my will, but yours be done."yet not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22:42Luke 22:42


We are called to surrender:We are called to surrender:1.1. As we bring our requests to GodAs we bring our requests to God

conclude with “Your will be done.”conclude with “Your will be done.”

2.2. As we view our livesAs we view our lives““Me-focused” or “God-focused”Me-focused” or “God-focused”““My will be done” My will be done” or or ““Thy Will be done”Thy Will be done”


Catherine Marshall storyCatherine Marshall story


Can you trust God with your life?Can you trust God with your life?

Don’t surrender to GodDon’t surrender to God if you can’t trust him.if you can’t trust him.

God is your loving Father,God is your loving Father,whom you can trust completely.whom you can trust completely.


In conclusion:In conclusion:

The ACTSS modelThe ACTSS modelA - AdorationA - AdorationC - ConfessionC - ConfessionT - ThanksgivingT - ThanksgivingS - SupplicationS - SupplicationS - SurrenderS - Surrender


Prayer is our response to Prayer is our response to

a Father who loves us a Father who loves us

and has proven that love for us and has proven that love for us again and again.again and again.


Prayer Prayer

is the God-given is the God-given

communication toolcommunication tool

that keeps yourthat keeps your

relationship to God relationship to God

vital and growing.vital and growing.


Pray.Pray.

Come into His presence.Come into His presence.

Climb up onto His lap.Climb up onto His lap.

Talk to your loving Father.Talk to your loving Father.

Listen for His voice.Listen for His voice.

Pray!Pray!

devoted to prayer as christians we are called to be a people who “devote yourselves to prayer”...

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