RADICAL RAP
Developing the skill of prayer
Is the skill of prayer undeveloped in your life? How often do you speak with your heavenly Father? What do you talk about? Is your conversation typically one-way? Do you wonder if you even know how to pray? Have you ever feel like a reject of a saint because you never received the kinds of answers others have? Do you read books on prayer, get all excited or convicted, start out with a bang, and then fizzle out? You’re not alone, so don’t give up.
Although most of us aren’t "pros" in prayer, we would probably agree on the importance of prayer and express our desire to be more effective in prayer. So, how do you pray? What do you pray about? When is the best time to pray?
PRAYER’S FITNESS
In his book "Too Busy Not to Pray", Pastor Bill Hybels writes, "Developing prayer fitness is like developing physical fitness: you need a pattern to avoid becoming imbalanced. Without a routine, you will probably fall into the "Please God" trap: "Please God, give me. Please God, help me. Please God, cover me. Please God, arrange this."
* What kind of pattern, if any, do you use?
You’ll want to find the format that best suits your personality, temperament, and life-style. Two of the most often used patterns are The Lord’s Prayer and ACTS. Maybe you’d be interested in one of these!
The Lord’s Prayer: Our Master Coach has left us easy step-by-step instructions for a balanced and comprehensive plan to develop the skill of prayer. Read these instructions found in Matthew 6: 9-15.
[Worship] "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
[Allegiance] your kingdom come,
[Submission] your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
[Provision] Give us today our daily bread.
[Confession] Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
[Protection] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
Each sentence touches on a topic of worship, allegiance, submission, provision, or confession that can lead you into deeper conversation. So whether you have 15 minutes or an hour in prayer, you are able to cover the spectrum of subjects which Jesus teaches are vital to communication with God.
ACTS - This acrostic also triggers the topics to remember.
Adoration - Worship the Father as the elders and living creatures do in Revelation 4 and 5, by meditating on His Names, by singing a song.
Confession - Confess your sins and receive forgiveness, as well as release others for the debts they owe you (Matthew 18:21-35).Worship your Father as the elders and living creatures do in Revelation 4 and 5, by meditating on His Names, by singing a song.
Thanksgiving - Praise Him who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Supplication - Let your requests be made known on behalf of you and your family, key people in your life, your church, the nation, and the world
PRAYER'S FUEL!
The key to effective prayer is a believing heart. The author of Hebrews writes, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). What is faith? "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). It's simply taking God at His word!
PRAYER'S PRACTICAL HINTS
* Prayer must be directed by the whole counsel of God! (1 John 5:14,15)
* Pray with a listening ear for God! (Psalm 40:6,8)
* Pray specifically! (John 17:15-21)
* Pray largely and broadly! (Jeremiah 33:3; Acts 4:29,30)
* Pray with earnest spiritual desire! (1 Samuel 1:10,11)
* Pray in Jesus' name! (John 16:23,24)
* Pray daily at a specific time and place! (Mark 1:35, 10 times in Luke)
* Pray through a prayer list/book, journal your prayers! (Psalms)
* Pray full of faith! (Matthew 9:28l; Mark 11:22-24)
* Pray persistently! (Luke 11:5-13)
PRAYER'S PRACTICE
Like taking up a new sport or learning a new skill, you may feel clumsy, unsure, or uncomfortable when you first do it. Yet when you have taken the time to practice and stretch yourself to do it well, you'll progress in both comfort and proficiency.
PRAYER'S PROVISION
Maybe you are once again convicted and encouraged to do something about your prayer life, but disheartened from past experiences. Have you forgotten one of the most important ingredients? We need grace to keep on praying!
* "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
* "He gives us more grace…" (James 4:5,6).
So what are you waiting for? Your heavenly Father is waiting for you in your "secret place"!