Here are some prayers and prayer ideas for you:
A Prayer of Confession:
I confess to You, Lord,what I am: I am not the person I like others to think I am; I am afraid to admit even to myself what lies in the depths of my soul.
But I do not want to hide my true self from You. I believe that You know me as I am, yet You love me.
Help me not to shrink from self-knowledge; teach me to respect myself for your sake; give me the courage to put my trust in Your guidance and power.
I come with open hands and a receptive mind and heart today, letting go of my fears, my need for control & my sin.
I trust you to know best. To keep my life in the light and bring it to completion as you see fit.
I trust you to shape me, see me, steer me, stir me, sustain me and sanctify me as I seek to be available to do your will and be your child.
I pray this in the name of my Perfect Providing Father, my Forgiving Savior, my Loving Lord and my Sanctifying Spirit, Amen.
An Analysis of Prayer:
Since prayer is simply talking with God, there is no specific format we must follow, no special words we must use to be heard. There are, however, different types of prayers and different components of our communication with God. Some people find the acrostic A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication/Silence) helpful in remembering these pieces of prayer.
ADORATION
Adoration is praising someone for who they are or what they have done. If is giving someone the credit they deserve. Thinking of who God is and what He is like gives us plenty of ideas.
Psalms 145:9 can be a helpful for stirring your heart.
Take a minute and tell God what you are thinking and feeling as you read about the Lord’s goodness to you and others.
CONFESSION
The word confess means to agree with God about our sin. King David wrote in Psalm 66:18 (NLT) “If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” Since every sin we commit is ultimately against God, we need to admst our sin to God in order to have open and honest communication with God. Read the words of King David in Psalms 139:23-24
“ Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
Although it is important to admit our sins to God as soon as we are aware of them, it can also be helpful to ask God to search our hearts during times of prayer and reflection. When we are in a prayerful mindset, ready to listen, God will sometimes point out sins we have overlooked in the busyness of life.
THANKSGIVING:
The Bible tells us: “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) and “It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High.” Psalm 92:1 (NLT)
Being grateful is important to God. Having an attitude of gratitude reveals much about an individual. If you lack this attitude you at a deep level are not understanding true humility (which is an accurate view of self as deeply loved but God yet sinful instead not a self berating view of self.) nor are you understanding that everything is a trust from God to manage resources of all types (time, talents, relationships, finances, etc…). Having an attitude of gratitude communicate to God through song, dance, poets, words that we appreciate everything we have been entrusted with. Take time to name and list what you are grateful for.
SUPPLICATION and/or SILENCE
Supplication means to make requests. We can pray for our own needs or the needs of others. We can ask for endless numbers of things. God the Father in heaven wants us to ask for relationships, people and stuff. Three examples can be seen here:
“Give us today the food we need” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
“And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:13 (NLT)
“Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains.” Colossians 4:3 (NLT)
Silence is an under-appreciated virtue in prayer. Since prayer is a conversation, The Almighty might want to talk back to you. Sitting in silence allows for God to speak or for God to calm you down and give you peace.
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
Psalm 46:10 (NLT)
Being still is more than not moving, it is about not trying to multitask but instead choose to focus on God’s whispers into our lives. This can only really be done by not talking ourselves and not moving around. “Be Still” The first few times of stillness may seem weird but God is longing to meet you in the stillness!
