May 28-29, 2005, Selected

LIVING VERTICALLY!
Simple Steps to Effective Prayer!

“Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught His disciples” Luke 11:1
Who are we praying to?
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. Rev. 1:17

ACTS MODEL

1. A stands for Adoration of God.

I love You God

Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' “ Matthew 22:37

“God, I see you everywhere!”

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? [8] If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. [9] If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, [10] even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. [11] If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12] even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:7-12
Remember, God is the only one who can be everywhere at the same time!

God, you are inside me!

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Cor. 6:19-20

2. C stands for Confession.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Confession really means that we agree with the truth about ourselves! 1 John 1:9

I confess my sins.

“Search me O God and know my heart, try me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there be any offensive way in me and lead me in the everlasting way!” Psalm 139:23-24

I receive Your forgiveness.

I extend Your forgiveness to others!

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you. Eph. 4:32

3. T stands for Thanksgiving.
Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done. Col. 2:7

I thank You for Your miracles in the Bible!
I thank You for Your miracle of salvation in Christ.
I thank You for Your miracles today!

Sing out your thanks to the LORD; sing praises to our God, accompanied by harps. Psalm 147:7

4. S stands for Supplication.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7
When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
James 4:3

I ask for my needs!
I tell God what is on my heart.
Then I ask for the needs of others.

Effective Prayer Means

1. You will begin to “pray without ceasing”
Pray continually. I Thes. 5:17
2. Your relationship with God will become stronger and deeper and more fruitful as John 15:5 says.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. “
John 15:5
3. You will have answers to your prayers as John 15:7 says.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. John 15:7

Living vertically is a witness to the existence of the One True Living God!