The movie industry makes good sport out of the common anxiety found in public prayer, but if we were honest, we might confess that they’ve really tapped into a root of realistic fears that plague many modern Christians. “I love God, I pray to Him everyday, but please don’t call on me to pray!”
As we’ve been studying prayer this month we will now look at Paul’s commands to pray for all people, especially those in authority, and to hand over our anxieties to God through a 4-fold dynamic of addressing God in our prayers.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)
“First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
C – Confession – Saying what God says about sin
A – Adoration – Praising God for who He is
T – Thanksgiving – Praising God for what He has done
S – Supplication – Asking and trusting God to provide
“prayer is asking God to align you with His will, rather than asking Him to be aligned with yours.”
– Unknown