Prayer Station 2
Establish a Prayer Structure with a Prayer Acronym
What shall we do in the midst of this pandemic storm? Look up! PRAY! And don’t just pray. Take this time to create an intentional prayer time in which you truly visit with God. As we are social distancing, what we can do to maintain our sanity? News casts and health care professionals are suggesting that we incorporate structure, creativity, and exercise into our days. That includes prayer.
Prayer Structures:
There are Prayer Acronyms available to help structure our prayers. One is PRAY:
Praise- Acknowledge God for who He is and praise Him.
Repent- Confess your sins and repent
Ask- Your petitions or requests to God
Yield- Surrender to God’s will.
One that I prefer is ACTS:
Musical Praise Ideas:
Follow the link below to hear/see the video, “I Get on my Knees”, by Jaci Velasquez
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr6JHJ5evGc
Wow! It’s tough to be stressed when you hear/sing worship songs.
Follow the link below to hear/see the video, “Praise You In This Storm”, by Casting Crowns
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=in+the+storm+casting+crowns+lyrics
Paying the Bible Ideas: Lord, you “gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep (your) command,” you “marked out the foundations of the earth”, so we know you also control the tiniest molecules that can make us so sick…
Biblical Praise Ideas (Proverbs 8: 29-35):
he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30 Then I was constantly[e] at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.
NOTE: Perhaps verses 32-33 of Proverbs 8 is a reminder to us to listen to God more diligently.
32 “Now then, my children, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the Lord.
C- Confess and ask God to implement change in you today; even a slight change.
Don’t stress or beat yourself up here. Just pray about one thing in your life that needs to change. Perhaps you are just confessing that it took this sudden slow-down to remind you to spend more time with Him. In fact, if recalling sins causes you anxiety, or a heavy burden of guilt, notice what Jesus taught about sinners. At the beginning of Luke 15 the Pharisees criticize Jesus for associating with sinners. He replies to them with three parables (stories to teach a lesson). We’ll explore this chapter deeper later on, but for now focus on the third story Jesus tells in Luke 15: 11-31, better known as the story of the prodigal son. Both sons in the story are sinners; the younger is just more obvious with his sin. The father, symbolizing God, rejoiced and welcomed the youngest son back with open arms. He opens His arms to us as well. To the older son who remained home, but sinned more through attitude than action, the father had these comforting words “My son…you are always with me, and everything I have is yours” (Luke 15: 31). When we are burdened by our sin, we need only turn to the father through Christ our Lord, repent, walk into His opened arms, and be comforted by the promise that all He has is ours. How wonderful is that!
T- Thanksgiving:
Studies have proven that being thankful and recognizing it improves our mental health. We can all use that right now. List things for which you are thankful to God. If you are frustrated with a spouse, child, parent, family member, or co-worker that you have spent too much time with this week… you might also list qualities in that person for which you are thankful. Thank God for that person. Keep this in mind: “What if you woke up this morning and had only the things you thanked God for yesterday?”-Max Lacado
Thank God for the sunshine, the protective clouds, or the liquid sunshine, that we are experiencing today. Remind yourself of that particular miracle that God worked in your life, so long ago, or recently. Thank Him. As crazy as it sounds, thank Him for this pandemic. Tough to do, but it’s biblical.
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5: 18
S-Supplication (Requests). You will have plenty for which to pray. If not, click on Prayer Concerns at Corydon Missionary Baptist Church for a list of suggestions. But first, I like to incorporate a short devotional before I pray. This one concerning storms seems timely.
Follow this Devotional Guide “Cast Your Cares on Him” concerning STORMS if you’d like:
It seems like the following verse from Zechariah is describing our world today: "And they will pass through the sea of distress And He will strike the waves in the sea, So that all the depths of the Nile will dry up;” -Zechariah 10:11a. How amazing that this ancient book is still so relevant today!
Take a few moments to read the following scriptures. All three are similar if you are pressed for time, choose only one and read it:
Matthew 8: 23-27; Mark 4: 36-41; and Luke 8: 22-25.
Yes, these scriptures are very alike and sound like we feel in these chaotic times. Today our “sea” is rough and uncertain. But keep the words of Jesus in mind: “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith? (Matthew 8: 26)
Take heart, have faith, and as we face this overwhelming storm, find blessed assurance in God’s word. As our Lenten devotional The Easter Code, by O. S. Hawkins, said recently, “look up”.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
9 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea[a] were hushed.
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
-Psalms 107: 28-31
During these stormy times, be comforted and assured of God’s word:
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:8-9 (NIV)
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” - 1 Pet. 5: 6-7
Final Thoughts:
Continue to look up and visit with God often. Remember Pandemic, Porch lights, and Prayer. Set your phone or clock to 8:00 p. m. as a reminder. At 8:00, turn on your porch light and pray. This has become a very special time in our home. We take turns leading in prayer and each night we focus on different topics such as our family, health care workers, world and local leaders, our church, staff, and members, our Who’s Your One names, etc. God bless you and your family. Stay safe.
What shall we do in the midst of this pandemic storm? Look up! PRAY! And don’t just pray. Take this time to create an intentional prayer time in which you truly visit with God. As we are social distancing, what we can do to maintain our sanity? News casts and health care professionals are suggesting that we incorporate structure, creativity, and exercise into our days. That includes prayer.
Prayer Structures:
There are Prayer Acronyms available to help structure our prayers. One is PRAY:
Praise- Acknowledge God for who He is and praise Him.
Repent- Confess your sins and repent
Ask- Your petitions or requests to God
Yield- Surrender to God’s will.
One that I prefer is ACTS:
- Adore God. Acknowledge who He is and praise Him. When I think of praise, I think of music. Music is soothing. If ever we needed soothing it is now. Another option to get us focused on praise is go to place in the Bible and read things that God has done; things that suggest His power and might. Try Psalms or Proverbs. Pray the Bible. In other words, find scriptures that praise Him and use that for a spring board. See below.
Musical Praise Ideas:
Follow the link below to hear/see the video, “I Get on my Knees”, by Jaci Velasquez
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr6JHJ5evGc
Wow! It’s tough to be stressed when you hear/sing worship songs.
Follow the link below to hear/see the video, “Praise You In This Storm”, by Casting Crowns
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=in+the+storm+casting+crowns+lyrics
Paying the Bible Ideas: Lord, you “gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep (your) command,” you “marked out the foundations of the earth”, so we know you also control the tiniest molecules that can make us so sick…
Biblical Praise Ideas (Proverbs 8: 29-35):
he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30 Then I was constantly[e] at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.
NOTE: Perhaps verses 32-33 of Proverbs 8 is a reminder to us to listen to God more diligently.
32 “Now then, my children, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the Lord.
C- Confess and ask God to implement change in you today; even a slight change.
Don’t stress or beat yourself up here. Just pray about one thing in your life that needs to change. Perhaps you are just confessing that it took this sudden slow-down to remind you to spend more time with Him. In fact, if recalling sins causes you anxiety, or a heavy burden of guilt, notice what Jesus taught about sinners. At the beginning of Luke 15 the Pharisees criticize Jesus for associating with sinners. He replies to them with three parables (stories to teach a lesson). We’ll explore this chapter deeper later on, but for now focus on the third story Jesus tells in Luke 15: 11-31, better known as the story of the prodigal son. Both sons in the story are sinners; the younger is just more obvious with his sin. The father, symbolizing God, rejoiced and welcomed the youngest son back with open arms. He opens His arms to us as well. To the older son who remained home, but sinned more through attitude than action, the father had these comforting words “My son…you are always with me, and everything I have is yours” (Luke 15: 31). When we are burdened by our sin, we need only turn to the father through Christ our Lord, repent, walk into His opened arms, and be comforted by the promise that all He has is ours. How wonderful is that!
T- Thanksgiving:
Studies have proven that being thankful and recognizing it improves our mental health. We can all use that right now. List things for which you are thankful to God. If you are frustrated with a spouse, child, parent, family member, or co-worker that you have spent too much time with this week… you might also list qualities in that person for which you are thankful. Thank God for that person. Keep this in mind: “What if you woke up this morning and had only the things you thanked God for yesterday?”-Max Lacado
Thank God for the sunshine, the protective clouds, or the liquid sunshine, that we are experiencing today. Remind yourself of that particular miracle that God worked in your life, so long ago, or recently. Thank Him. As crazy as it sounds, thank Him for this pandemic. Tough to do, but it’s biblical.
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5: 18
S-Supplication (Requests). You will have plenty for which to pray. If not, click on Prayer Concerns at Corydon Missionary Baptist Church for a list of suggestions. But first, I like to incorporate a short devotional before I pray. This one concerning storms seems timely.
Follow this Devotional Guide “Cast Your Cares on Him” concerning STORMS if you’d like:
It seems like the following verse from Zechariah is describing our world today: "And they will pass through the sea of distress And He will strike the waves in the sea, So that all the depths of the Nile will dry up;” -Zechariah 10:11a. How amazing that this ancient book is still so relevant today!
Take a few moments to read the following scriptures. All three are similar if you are pressed for time, choose only one and read it:
Matthew 8: 23-27; Mark 4: 36-41; and Luke 8: 22-25.
Yes, these scriptures are very alike and sound like we feel in these chaotic times. Today our “sea” is rough and uncertain. But keep the words of Jesus in mind: “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith? (Matthew 8: 26)
Take heart, have faith, and as we face this overwhelming storm, find blessed assurance in God’s word. As our Lenten devotional The Easter Code, by O. S. Hawkins, said recently, “look up”.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
9 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea[a] were hushed.
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
-Psalms 107: 28-31
During these stormy times, be comforted and assured of God’s word:
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:8-9 (NIV)
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” - 1 Pet. 5: 6-7
Final Thoughts:
Continue to look up and visit with God often. Remember Pandemic, Porch lights, and Prayer. Set your phone or clock to 8:00 p. m. as a reminder. At 8:00, turn on your porch light and pray. This has become a very special time in our home. We take turns leading in prayer and each night we focus on different topics such as our family, health care workers, world and local leaders, our church, staff, and members, our Who’s Your One names, etc. God bless you and your family. Stay safe.
