I’ve just finished reading Anne Graham-Lotz’s book, I Saw the Lord: A Wake-Call for Your Heart(Grand Rapids, MI. Zondervan: 2006) and I have to say I have been challenged.  I was blessed to hear her speak last Tuesday at the Baptist Convention of New Mexico State Evangelism Conference.  Her message was powerful and anointed.  The Lord spoke to my heart thru her about many things, especially my crummy prayer life and critical attitude.  I was compelled to buy and read her book, I Saw the Lord.  I won’t review it here, but suffice it to say I highly recommend that you read it.  In the last chapter of the book appropriately titled, Stay Awake: Don’t Lose that Loving Feelin’, Lotz rewords the A.C.T.S. acrostic and guides the reader thru an intensive prayer session.  I want to give her credit for refueling my desire to pray and lead the church to pray more fervently and spiritually.  I include a modified outline of Lotz’s prayer “method” which is really just the A.C.T.S.  acrostic reworded.  However, I want to give her credit for being the Lord’s instrument in opening my heart over the last week especially in the area of prayer..   So, I offer what’s on my heart today and pray that you also will be led to deeper prayer.  Please interact with me and the others who read the blog by sharing what is on your heart as well.  I have included a discussion question after each of my prayers.      

Settle Your Spirit Before God:

“Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.”            Psalm 46.10

Lord, I am so busy and so many things vie for my attention right now.

There are bills unpaid, there are beds unmade, there are children to feed,

There is so much I need to do.

But, busy as I am, I realize the greatest need I have is You.

I long for Your presence, so:

I’ll slow down, I’ll drop my worry, and I’ll breathe deep, relax, and draw my soul apart for just a little while.

What distracts you from entering into God’s presence?

Worship God for Who He is:

“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him!  Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth;”   I Chronicles 16.29

Jesus, You are:

 The exalted Lord of glory, who is over and above all things.  You are Holy, Holy, Holy, and I will praise Your Holy Name.  In a world full of cowardly kittens You are the courageous Lion of Judah!  In a world full of change You are the unchanging Rock and Redeemer of all who will call upon Your name.  In a world filled with ravenous wolves who seek only to kill, steal and destroy, You are the Lamb of God Who taketh away the sins of the world!  As the false prophets rage and deceive, You are the only begotten Son of God!  Humans are weak and frail, just “little dust creatures”[1]; but You are a Great and Mighty God!  Man’s counsel is limited and subject to imperfection, but You are the Wonderful Counselor, who holds the solution to every dilemma.  Man makes war in an effort to protect and control, yet You reign over the universe as the Prince of Peace!

What are some of God’s attributes that cause you to praise His name?

Tell Jesus that you are sorry for your sin:

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse you hands you sinners, and purify your hearts you double-minded.  Be wretched and mourn and weep.  Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”  James 4. 8-9

Lord, here I am again!  I have been here so many times, asking for Your forgiveness, it seems I never learn my lesson.  It’s with great fear and humility I come asking, not demanding, but asking for Your grace and mercy one more time.  I feel dirty and ashamed and I know that’s Your Spirit convicting me of my sin.  Jesus, this time I will not rebel, I will not run away, but I come, I come begging for mercy and asking you to wash me clean with the blood spilled on Calvary in millennia past.  Lord, I am coming to You, appealing to Your mercy and trusting in Your promise that if I will confess, You will forgive and cleanse.  So I confess Lord.  I confess my…… (List your sins one by one, praying through each; asking for and accepting Jesus’ forgiveness).

It’s 4 PM right now and I realize that I have been guilty of prayerlessness today.  O, I prayed during my quiet time this morning.  But they were perfunctory prayers without much heart.  O, I prayed with the deacons and staff this morning, but it really wasn’t from the heart-I had a lot of work to get to.  I even said grace at lunch.  But, it was a ritualistic prayer without much real communion with God. 

What sins are weighing on your heart?

Thank God for what He has done:

“Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to His holy name!”  Psalm 97.12

Lord, there isn’t enough paper in the entire world on which to write how many wonderful things You have done for me.  You created me and You “re-created me”.  You have given me a life far more blessed than I ever imagined possible.  I am well-fed.  You have given me a place of meaningful service where my gifts are needed and appreciated.  You have challenged me and then empowered me to meet the challenge.  You are so good!  Thank you for my earthly family and for my eternal family.  Thank You for all the times You have spared me from harm and all the times You have humbled me by allowing harm into my life.  Thank You Lord that I have been witness to many miracles the greatest being the privilege of seeing a lost, hopeless sinner come to the cross and be born again!  Thank You, Lord, that I was born into the greatest country in the world and enjoy all the benefits and freedoms that come with citizenship.   Thank You, Lord for a healthy body and mind. 

Can you list some of your blessings?

Ask God to:

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will grant you the desires of your heart.”  Psalm 37.4

Dear God I do delight in You!  You are the only One who can satisfy my soul.  How wonderful this time together with You has been.  Lord, the desires of my heart right now are:  that You would cause a great revival in Your church right now!  That souls would be stirred from their complacency and that each Christian would be ignited with Holy Ghost fire that would burn until You return to reclaim us for glory!  I pray that there will be many souls saved and that I would have a “holy boldness” to be part of that process.  I pray for those who are suffering, sick and sinful.  I pray that those who have dropped out of fellowship would return.  I pray for the USA and our leaders.  I pray that there would be peace on earth and goodwill between nations and individuals. I pray for missionaries both abroad and in our country.  I pray for our armed forces members wherever they are serving.  I lift up the abused and abandoned in our society.  I pray for those who grieve over lost loved ones.  I pray for all my brother pastors who struggle to spread the gospel and shepherd the flock in this difficult day we live in.  Most of all, I pray dear Father, that I would experience Your presence in my life each and every moment of each and every day. 

What are you asking and trusting God for?

And All God’s People Said…