A pattern for prayer
If you've ever trained for a fitness event, or just tried to get a bit fitter, you'll know that without a regular routine it's unlikely to happen. Prayer is no different - a regular routine helps us. It might be that we like to pray in the same chair, or at the same time of day, maybe we light a candle or use a holding cross to focus us, but a regular pattern for prayer helps us to keep going, especially when we don't feel like it.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
May these words of my mouth and
this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:1, 14 [NIV]
Start with adoration, it sets the tone for prayer and reminds us whom we are addressing. Perhaps start with the phrase 'God, you are …' and fill in the blank. Use the psalms as a starting point, or perhaps sing a song if you feel comfortable doing so.
Move to a time of confession, a chance to say sorry to God for things that have got in the way between you and Him. We do this in the full knowledge that God loves us and forgives us.
Next we express our thanks, at certain times in our life this will be easier than others. Try to thank God every day for things - big or small - that have brought a smile to your face.
At this point in our prayer we can make our requests to God, supplication is a fancy word for 'requests'. Nothing is too big for God to handle, or too small for him to care about.
Try using this ACTS pattern for prayer today.
Emma Higgins
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