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1. ACTS: A Pattern for prayer.....[home page] 2. LENT: A time for growth..... ACTS: A Pattern for prayer.....
In order to help us remember the important parts of prayer, the acronym ACTS has been developed. This is a simple mnemonic device to help us remember the four basic elements of prayer.
A = Adoration:
We put aside all our thoughts and troubles and come into the presence of God.It is a time for "turning our heart home...," a pause in our activities to focus on God, and God alone.
For many this is a time of praise for all the glory of God revealed around us. For others it is a time of quiet listening, putting all other thoughts aside and seeking a clear focus of our love for God.
It is a time to put things in perspective, to remember "who we are and whose we are." It sets the stage for all that is to follow.
C = Confession:
This is the time for truth telling. Even as we know God is aware of all our faults and failures, it is important to let God know that WE are aware of them as well.
Too often we can hide and deny the places that hold the most pain. Too often the world rushes us on and we allow situations to fester.
Truth telling involves honest appraisal both of the good and the bad in our life. It is a time to speak to God with the deepest trust that these circumstances need attention, healing and resolution.
Often this honesty needs to be spoken aloud, shared with a trusted friend or spiritual director for in the speaking, insight often comes.
Being honest before God may lead us into some painful realization as to our need for seeking help, reconciliation or guidance.
Such Honesty is the most direct and powerful way to resolve the situations of our life.
T = Thanksgiving;
In the context of adoration and with ourselves being very honest before God, we are then able to give thanks.
We "count our blessings" as we recognize all that God has done for us. From the smallest gift of a flower blooming on a concrete sidewalk, to the awesome love of God in the Grace and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ... we give thanks.
We give thanks for the food we have, the shelter provided, the family and friends, the church family and it's support.
We give thanks for hope and healing, claiming all that God has promised to us. We give thanks for the opportunity to be in prayer, to speak with the everlasting God of creation.
We give thanks for the opportunity to worship in freedom, and without coercion. We give thanks for love, and for our Lord.
S = Supplication
Supplication is simply the sharing of our needs. They are different than our wants and desires. God has promised to care for our needs.
We may recognize the shallowness of some of our desires. We may uncover a deeper need long ago buried. We may discover God has placed in our life new solutions and answers to our prayers.
As we go over our concerns for others, we may be given insights into how best to minister to others. At times, names may come to us "out of the blue." And perhaps a phone call is needed, a card, or a visit or a deep word of prayer for them.
God has a way of using our supplications to become occasions for our own growth in our spiritual journey. We are often confronted with actions and opportunities which, if followed through, enrich us greatly.
ACTS: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication.
Can you see how these letters can be used in your prayer time? Can you find 5-10 minutes a day during this Lent and give them a try?
As you begin, go through the letters, first with A (adoration), pause and consider how great God is. Then after a few moments, move on to C (confession), and do the same. Then move on to T (thanksgiving) and end with S (supplication.)
Take the time in the morning, or at lunch or in the car with the music off. You'll be surprised at how powerful God will be in your life with just these few moments, these few letters: ACTS.
How's your life been? How goes it with your soul? How's your prayer life?
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2. LENT: A time for growth.....[home page] "Lent," a word with many meanings. The meanings come from all the experiences you have had with this time of year.
When did you first encounter Lent? It has been part of some churches liturgy (worship) for many centuries. For other it's a new concept.
Lent, from the old english "Lencten" simply means "to lengthen." It refers to the spring time and it's lengthening of days.
In the history of the church, Lent means the period of preparation for the Resurrection on Easter. Very early on, our Christian Mothers and Fathers took the three days before Easter, Good Friday (ending at Sundown), Saturday (also ending at Sundown), and all of the "Easter eve to Sunrise on Sunday.
Over the years it has become 40 days (not counting Sundays) to reflect all the biblical meanings of 40 days of Jesus' temptation, 40 years of Israel in the Desert, 40 days of storm in the story of Noah
Christians of all ages and cultures are using this time to spend in deep prayer, devotion reconciliation of broken relationships, acts of mercy, reading of scripture and/or fasting. All of these are taken on as a opportunity to draw closer to God, to recognize just how near Christ has drawn near to you.
Many of us carry small crosses with us. (The "cross in our pocket.") It is our hope that we find other people who we discern need a special touch of God. Then we give them one of our crosses.
These crosses are not to be given out casually, but in prayer and in promise of a life changing season in their lives. We are asked to pray before we give them out. We are asked to keep in
The cross is our family emblem, our family "crest" that reminds us of the great mystery of God's love for us. It is both a reminder of the pain, sacrifice and great tragedy Jesus went through to bring us the message of God's love and reconciliation.
It also joyfully brings to mind the power of the Resurrection, for it is without the body of Christ on it, it is not a crucifix, it is a "risen" cross, an empty cross.
We wear the cross around our necks, gold plate it, find it adorning books and plaques. It is familiar and for some almost invisible in its familiarity.
But perhaps not this year....
Carry not just a cross in your pocket, but crosses to give away. You don't need advertise church, but if asked, please invite them to join you in Worship, especially on Easter Morning.
And would all of you, take this Lent and pray for not only your own insight in God's will, but our church family's insight into God's will.
Your paryers are critical! We are one body, with one Lord, and one goal in mind, to serve God's will here on the West Side of Los Angeles.
Will you join us in this holy endeavor of faith and life?
Will you make Lent a holy Journey to Easter?
How's your life been? How goes it with your soul? How's your prayer life?
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