Devoted to Prayer As Christians we are called to be a people who “Devote yourselves to prayer” Colossians 4:2

Devoted to Prayer The call to be devoted to prayer is a response to the love God has for us. Prayer is about a relationship with God.

Prayer & Relationship - ACTSS The ACTSS model A - Adoration C - Confession T - Thanksgiving S - Supplication S - Surrender

ACTSS - Adoration By beginning with Adoration You focus on God You focus on your relationship with Him.

ACTSS - Confession Hiding is part of sinning. In confession we allow God to pull back the covers so that we may experience his loving forgiveness.

ACTSS - Thanksgiving Prayers of thanksgiving affirm that our prayers never begin the conversation with God. Prayers of thanksgiving = Our response to what God has already done

ACTSS - Supplication Amazing truth: God works through the prayers of his people. As Christians we are “Priests” - “mediators/intercessors between people and God”

Prayer & Relationship - ACTSS The ACTSS model A - Adoration C - Confession T - Thanksgiving S - Supplication S - Surrender

ACTSS - Surrender Scripture Reading Matthew 6:9-13 James 4

ACTSS - Surrender “Most of my struggles in the Christian life circle around the same two themes: why God doesn’t act the way we want God to, and why I don’t act the way God wants me to. Prayer is the precise point where those themes converge.” Philip Yancey, Prayer

ACTSS - Surrender Jesus taught us to pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Mt. 6:9-10

ACTSS - Surrender How many times do we pray this without thinking? Who are we praying for to do God’s will? Ourselves.

ACTSS - Surrender I meet all sorts of people who say they are Christians but choose not to do God’s will. I see one looking at me every time I brush my teeth. Why?

ACTSS - Surrender As Yancey said: “... why God doesn’t act the way we want God to, and why I don’t act the way God wants me to. Prayer is the precise point where those themes converge.”

ACTSS - Surrender Why God doesn’t do our will. Why God doesn’t do our will. If the request is wrong, God says “No.” If the timing is wrong, God says “Slow.” If you are wrong, God says “Grow.” Bill Hybels’ Too Busy Not to Pray

ACTSS - Surrender You don’t ask “You do not have because you do not ask God.” James 4:2 Wrong/selfish motives. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:3

ACTSS - Surrender God calls us to surrender our wills to his will. “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

ACTSS - Surrender Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22:42

ACTSS - Surrender We are called to surrender: 1. As we bring our requests to God conclude with “Your will be done.” 2. As we view our lives “Me-focused” or “God-focused” “My will be done” or or “Thy Will be done”

ACTSS - Surrender Catherine Marshall story

ACTSS - Surrender Can you trust God with your life? Don’t surrender to God if you can’t trust him. if you can’t trust him. God is your loving Father, whom you can trust completely.

Prayer & Relationship - ACTSS In conclusion: The ACTSS model A - Adoration C - Confession T - Thanksgiving S - Supplication S - Surrender

ACTSS - Surrender Prayer is our response to a Father who loves us and has proven that love for us again and again.

ACTSS - Surrender Prayer is the God-given communication tool that keeps your relationship to God vital and growing.

ACTSS - Surrender Pray. Come into His presence. Climb up onto His lap. Talk to your loving Father. Listen for His voice. Pray!