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| Learning how to pray is similar to learning how to tie your shoe. At first it is very hard to make your hands and fingers move the lace into a bow. But with practice and many weeks of concentrated, tongue out determination, that once disobedient shoelace becomes a tied, perfected bow. The same it is with prayer. The more you pray and practice, the more comfortable and at ease you become praying to your Heavenly Father. Praying will become as natural as talking with your closest friend. |
| Here are two methods of how to pray taken from Bill Hybels book, “Too Busy Not To Pray”. |
| The ACTS method: You might want to write it in a journal. Take a sheet of paper and draw three horizontal lines across it, dividing it into four sections. Label the sections A, C, T, S. In the first section, write a paragraph of adoration. List God’s characteristics that especially move you today. Psalms and Hymns are also useful. In the second, write a paragraph of confession. Specifically the sins that are on your conscience. Third, list God’s blessings for which you are thankful. Fourth, make your requests. (Ah-hah! The request sheet!) Fifth, say it out loud. |
A is for Adoration
C is for Confession
T is for Thanksgiving
S is for Supplication |
| The other method is praying through the Lord’s prayer.... |
| “Our Father...”You are praying to a Father who couldn’t love you more than he already does. |
| “Who art in heaven...” Nothing is too difficult for him. He is the mountain mover, he is bigger than any problem you could bring to him. Fix your eyes on his ability, not on yours. |
| “Hallowed be thy name...” Worship the Lord, praise him for his attributes, his kindess, his benevolence and mercy. His love, greatness, and power. |
| “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven...” Submitting your will to God’s. Put his will first in your life – in your marriage, family, career, ministry, money, body, relationships, church. |
| “Give us this day our daily bread...” Lay out all your concerns, whether big or small...from his hands this day unfolds. |
| “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors...” Be sure you’re not the obstacle, confess your sins, receive forgiveness and begin to grow. Live with a forgiving spirit towards others. |
| “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil...” Pray for protection from evil and victory over temptation |
| “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever...” End your prayer with more worship. Acknowledge that everything in heaven and earth is God’s |
| AMEN Let it be so. |