Q: Jon, this last week you gave a “gut check” sort of talk on prayer. For those of us that don’t really know where to start, can you give us a few handles?
A: It’s funny when people talk about the basics of the Christian walk, because inevitably they will talk about prayer. Not that prayer is a funny subject, but simply the fact that we know it to be a foundation for our faith, doesn’t mean we will anchor ourselves to it. However, in spite of what the most powerful guilt mongers are telling us, the reason we’re not praying isn’t because we don’t want to. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Most people I know want to pray and press in to God in a big way. But for dozens of reasons we don’t. As I’m learning to press in, here are some things I’m learning along the way in regards to prayer:
1) Pick a time. In other words, some people are morning folks. They can get out of bed at 5 a.m. and have no problem approaching the throne with huge prayers that will impact the world. However, many of us at 5 a.m. have a problem finding the bathroom light let alone the throne. So you need to know how God has wired you. Pick a time that works and then stick to it. If that time is every day at lunch, great! If that time is during your morning walk, sweet! But pick a time. If you don’t the only thing you’ll be picking is your nose. J
2) Have a format. Unless you are just naturally an intercessor and you are automatically tapped into the will of God, a format will help. Having a plan on what to pray for may sound unspiritual or even non-Spirit led, but don’t buy into that crap. Spirit-led people are people that consistently and passionately press into the heart of God…period. There are lots of formats out there. Here is a format that I use that is in the form of the acronym: A.C.T.S.
A: Adoration. Before I ever ask God for anything, I just worship Him. The purpose of our prayers are not the answers anyway. Our purpose is to worship and enjoy him forever. So I begin with just worshiping and bragging on him. Often I will read Psalms out loud. The exciting thing about reading Psalms to God is my faith gets stirred up cause I’m reminded how BIG he actually is.
C: Confession. I spend some time just confessing my junk. I’m reminded that I’m not as good as I try to convince people of. Most importantly, I’m humbled by God’s grace and forgiveness.
T: Thanksgiving. After I have told him how grateful I am for WHO he is, now I spend some time thanking Him for WHAT he has done. You may spend all your time at first on this one.
S: Supplication. That’s simply word for asking God to do something for you. Unfortunately, that is where most of us live. We ask and ask and ask, but never get reminded of His greatness, confess our futility and thank Him for his faithfulness. This is why supplication comes last. Often, I never get to asking him for anything because I’m just caught up in Him. What a great place to live.
3) Pray with others. This is probably the one that I learned last. Unfortunately for me, it may be one of the most important. Friends, we were never meant to do anything by ourselves and that includes prayer. Why else would Jesus say, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”? (Matt. 18:20) When we pray together, He loves to be with us. That shouldn’t surprise you. A name a that is often used to describe Jesus is Emanuel, which means “God with us”.
* Starting this Friday at Vineyard, we will have a time of prayer @ noon. No cool name. No fancy banner. No food. Just pressing into Jesus and expecting His greatness to be extended to our cities. Come join us.
