"...3 elements we can include in services, and even in songs: re-enactment, realization, and anticipation. They are like the beginning, middle, and end of a story. So we recall something God did in the history of His people – then we enter the realization stage. In other words, what that means to our lives, here and now today. And then we end in anticipation – knowing there is more still to come in this epic love story of God we exist in..."
This is from Matt Redman's devotional series, "Sing Like Never Before." Based on 2 Chronicles 7 and his song, "Lord Let Your Glory Fall."
These three elements are really what my "prayer pattern" is based on...
Knowing God has and is doing His PART, we, too, have a part to fulfill in our relationship with Him. In praying, we can remember to do our...
P: Praise Him for what He is doing and Who He is.
A: Ask forgiveness for our foolish human natures that gravitate toward sin and destruction.
R: Requests ~ bring our requests before the throne of grace with confidence in Whose hands we are putting them.
T: Thank Him for His goodness and mercy and what He is doing in our lives.
This is from Matt Redman's devotional series, "Sing Like Never Before." Based on 2 Chronicles 7 and his song, "Lord Let Your Glory Fall."
These three elements are really what my "prayer pattern" is based on...
Knowing God has and is doing His PART, we, too, have a part to fulfill in our relationship with Him. In praying, we can remember to do our...
P: Praise Him for what He is doing and Who He is.
A: Ask forgiveness for our foolish human natures that gravitate toward sin and destruction.
R: Requests ~ bring our requests before the throne of grace with confidence in Whose hands we are putting them.
T: Thank Him for His goodness and mercy and what He is doing in our lives.
Just as we put our faith in The One who holds it all together (Colossians 1:17) to do His part, we do ours. By this, we know we are not passively expecting God to do something, but actively engaging in the awareness of what our hearts are needing, while connecting our hearts to His.
There's an old saying that goes like this:
Watch your thoughts - they become your words.
Watch your words - they become your actions.
Watch your actions - they become your habits.
Watch your habits - they become your character.
Watch your character - it becomes your destiny.
What thoughts are you engaging with? What words are they forming? What actions have been expressed? What habits are you allowing? What does your character say about Who you believe is in charge of your life?
Doing your PART in your walk with Christ will make all the difference in each of those categories, and as you lean into The One Who created you, you will know peace. That's the part He promises. (John 16:33)
