I admit it, I have a stinky prayer life. For the past 2 years, since my daughter was born, I have been terrible about making time to spend with God - talking and listening to HIM. Things like sleep or talking with other people usually took priority and I kept thinking "when she's older, I'll have more time to pray." I am thankful for my husband who makes sure we read our Bibles and pray each night - it is a start but it is at the end of the day and our prayers are usually quick so that we can get to sleep.
Recently, a friend gave me a book called How to Develop a Powerful Prayer Life. This book has an been eye-opener for me as far as how much I was lacking as a Christian because I chose other things over spending time with God. If I were to treat a friend on earth, the way I have pushed aside God these past 2 years, no doubt they wouldn't be my friend any longer. Anyways, this book also reminded me of a sermon by a Mr. Peter Pringle that I heard in Japan where he talked about the different parts of prayer and I wanted to share those with you and then add one more part that Mr. Fuzzell added in the book.
ACTS of prayer:
A - Adoration - worshipping, praising God for who HE is and what He was done
C - Confession - confessing your sins, allowing God to search your heart and show you where you have fallen short
T - Thanks - telling God how thankful you are for what He has done
S - Supplication - lifting up your needs and the needs of others
Meditation is the part that Mr. Fuzzell added in his book - the part where you listen to God instead of doing all the talking :)
I started yesterday morning by waking up early before church and spending time talking with God and I did it this morning as well...what a wonderful way to start the day. It took away my excuse of waiting until my child is older - God is with me every day so what is it to me that I spend 30-45 minutes a day each morning with HIM.
I enjoyed reading this post, Emily! ACTS - that's a good way to remember what we should include in our prayers. And I agree - meditation/listening to God is very important too, especially in this world where everything is rush, rush, rush. God usually speaks in that "still small voice" - we would never hear Him if we didn't take the time to stop and listen. I like the verse that reminds us to do that - "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). It is when we are still that we will recognise God for who He is and what He is!
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