Two weeks ago, Susan, the kids and I, arrived at our new home, and oh my what a whirlwind it's been.  We spent the first five days camping in our new home as we had arrived on Monday and our stuff was delivered on Friday.  Several folks from church helped out, providing us with food, air mattresses and other supplies, which made our in-home camping trip a pleasure.  Thank you!  We've unpacked and setup the house, registered vehicles, obtained driver's licenses, found a pediatrician an orthodontist and an ophthalmologist.  We've registered for elementary and high school, taken a trip into Pensacola and enjoyed a family dinner on the Bay.  We've purchased and set-up our Sun Pass accounts, arranged for Internet service, mowed the lawn, booked travel arrangements for the college kids return to school, and a whole lot of the other everyday ordinary things all crammed into two weeks. Yet, in the midst of it all there has been Sabbath, breathing room, and worship.

 

Our first Sunday at The Beach Church was a joy!  Worship was alive with a pervasive sense that something new and good had begun.  I felt it in my heart and I could see it in your eyes.  The Holy Spirit made His presence known in smiles, tears, hugs, prayers and a great potluck.  I preached about the power of persistence in prayer and the spiritual awareness that comes in asking God specifically and consistently to meet us at the point of our need.  With that in mind I pose a challenge for us all.  Let's all commit to praying persistently, asking God to provide what we need in our church, in our homes and in our community.  If prayer is difficult for you, allow me to offer some counsel.  I learned a model of prayer a while back that I've found helpful, It's known as the A.C.T.S. model, and it works like this:

 

A DORATION :Begin the prayer by praising or adoring God.  Clearly state that you are not praying to a lesser god, but to the creator, sustainer and redeemer of all things. The God of our Bible.   (Psalm 8: O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth, who hast set Thy glory above the heavens! Heb 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess his name.)

 

CONFESSION :Name the thoughts, words, actions and in-actions that are hindering your relationship with God, your neighbor and yourself.  Ask God to reveal those places where you are missing out on your relationship with Him.

 

T HANKSGIVING :  Name and give thanks for the good in your life.  Daily bread, a job, family, someone to love, health, caregivers, your church.  Ephesians 5:20 ..giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

S UPPLICATION :What's troubling you? Where are you experiencing fear, pain, hunger, poverty, anxiety?  Name the people who need help, explain the situations that need fixing. Ask for what you need and know that you are heard.  Close your prayer in a way you finish a conversation with a trusted friend.

 

If a daily prayer discipline is new to you, I encourage you to be patient with it and start small.  Begin by finding a comfortable and quiet spot where you can be alone with your thoughts.  Have a Bible, a note pad and pen with you.  Pray through the A.C.T.S. model and then take some time to be quiet.  Pay attention to your thoughts and the images that come to mind and then write a few of them down.  Take a breath when you are finished, thank God for the time spent and carry on with your day.  I challenge our church to engage in this discipline for the month of August.  Start with just 10 or 15 minutes a day and it will change your life forever. 

 

Grace and Peace,

Jim