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A Way To Pray

Prayer is a beautiful gift that God has given to us. It allows us to communicate and speak what weighs most in our hearts. Our lives are busy and our prayer routine tends to slip away from us, from time to time. God is always pleased to have you return to his embrace.

When you remember to pray, make a note of what’s important to you: your family, concerns for the world and the love that you have for God. Remember that God answers every prayer from an obedient heart, and if you didn’t receive exactly the answer you were looking for, it’s because it didn’t fit into God’s plan for you at the time.

At the Mount of Olives, before Jesus’ capture by the Roman soldiers, Jesus quietly prayed to God, saying:

“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

I want to share with you something that my minister taught me about 10 years ago. It’s a phrase that helps me remember a pattern in which to pray:

“As The Christian I Pray!”

A T C I P

A for Adoration
T for Thanksgiving
C for Confession
I for Intercession
P for Petition

When in prayer, try this pattern, starting with Adoration and finishing with Petition.

Adoration: Tell God that you love him! Tell him why! He’ll be pleased. Be specific.

“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4

Thanksgiving: Praise God for the love that He has given to mankind and for the blessings He has bestowed upon you and those that you love.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1st Thessalonians 5:18

Confession: God came into the world to save sinners. We are all forgiven with the blood of our Savior, Jesus. He is the propitiation for our sins. Share with Him, your transgressions, mistakes and sins against family, neighbors, friends and God.

“Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”
James 5:16

“For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24

Intercession: Pray for others. Place the needs of others before you petition to God what you really need!

“And I will do whatever you ask, in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
John 14:13,14

Petition: God knows what weighs most on your heart. Share what you need, desire with Him. He will answer.

“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:22

Amen