Over the last several weeks we have been looking at 1 Thessalonians 2-3 and talking about “Why we Love the Church.” We have love for the church because we walk together, because we sacrifice together and because we suffer together. This Sunday we are going to look at the fourth reason we love the church … we pray together. 

Let’s look at this briefly before we talk about this on Sunday. First of all prayer is simply talking to God. Prayer is actually so much more! But for our discussion here we will think of prayer as people talking to God.  

Prayer needs to be prioritized, scheduled, persistent, daily, alone, with others, passionate, extended, purposeful, targeted, and so much more. 

            As we pray, talk to God, what are some simple plans to give us a course to follow? Here are a few: 

1. ACTS
   1. Adoration: Give God praise and honor for who he is as Lord over all.
   2. Confession: Honestly deal with the sin in your prayer life.
   3. Thanksgiving: Verbalize what you’re grateful for in your life and in the world around you.
   4. Supplication: Pray for the needs of others and yourself.
2. PRAY
   1. Petition: Bring the Lord your Requests and Needs. 
   2. Repent: Be honest about your sin and own your responsibility and sorrow. 
   3. Adore: Give God praise, thanks and honor for who he is as Lord over all.
   4. Yield: Turn areas of your life over to the control and authority of God and His Word. 
3. The Last one is NOT an acrostic but is has been a simple way for me to map out my own prayers. Here it is: As children of God we speak to God as our Father. Parents are constantly calling on their children to remember and use three words/phrases. These can help map out our prayers: 
   1. PLEASE – We bring the Lord our requests with respect. We ask Him for those things we need (i.e. our Daily Bread). 
   2. THANK YOU – We thank Him for Who He is and what he has done. We thank him and praise Him for Who He is (Worship, “Holy is your Name”). We also thank Him for what He has done (In providing Salvation through the Gospel, in meeting our daily needs, for health and for grace to face trials, etc) 
   3. I’M SORRY – Here is where we personally own what we have done that is sinful in word, thought, or deed (Forgive us our trespasses).

 

You might have another map, or plan that you use. So, use it and pray. Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

 

See You Sunday

Pastor Byron

 

PS – 9:45 AM every Sunday in Room 10 (downstairs) is a time of corporate prayer.