ACTS: A Way to Pray
Monday, January 31
ACTS
Psalm 113: 1-7
Praise the Lord! O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord from the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heep.
A Prayer using the above Scripture and ACTS
Adoration:
Heavenly Father,
Hallelujah! I praise your name, Lord.You are the giver of all and like no other. You are worthy of praise from sun up to sun down. Oh Father, you are the Highly Exalted and no one will ever be like you. You are the lover and caregiver for everyone, no matter who they are or where they have been. You have loved and provided for me every day of my life . Even when I am at my lowest and most unloveable, you just keep pouring your sweet love into me .Blessed be your name.
Confession:
Lord, I am ashamed that I spend so little time simply praising and adoring my Father. When I read this scripture I am reminded of who you are and how worthy you are of my every minute. When I fail to praise you, my thoughts turn to anxieties I have about this chaotic world and mess we live in. My focus can get out of focus so quickly! Please forgive me for wasting time on thoughts and things that I put before you. Ugh- that sounds so ugly.
Thanksgiving:
Thank you, Yahweh for your “all knowing-ness” not only in the details of the world but also in my own personal life. You are both big and small at the same time. Thank you for seeing what I need even before I know I am in need. Thank you for orchestrating my life in a way that is best for me, even when I don't understand. Thank you that you sit above the heavens seeing and knowing everything. When I think no one sees or cares, I know my Father in Heaven doesn’t miss a detail. Lord, I am so grateful for who you are.
Supplication:
Lord, I ask for your help in praising you from “sun up to sun down”. Show me how to do this and give me a desire to follow through. Keep my mind steadfast on you and don't let me forget for a second you are the giver of this life I enjoy. Help me in the midst of my messes or “ash heep. Remind me you are fixer, not I. When I get discouraged, help me to remember you are here with me 24/7. Remind me I am just a sheep that is to take direction and submit to you: I am not the one in charge here. I pray these things in your precious name, Amen.
Use these verses and ACTS to write your own personal prayer in your journal.
After reading this passage, did you recognize what condition your praise life is in like I did? Maybe you are a wonderful "praiser" and maybe you are mediocre like me. Regardless, I would for you to share something you learned today.