Cheryl "The Earthly Angel"
Beloved of All
Now, the first thing to ask God for is that He would fill us to overflowing, with the Holy Spirit [Luke 11:13], [Acts 1:4-8], [John 7:37,38], [Eph 5:18], to help us absolutely focus our complete attention on Him. [2Cor 10:3-5] We are asking for a "Spirit led" state of prayer. We are now ready to "pray in the Spirit". We are now fully in the presence of God.
Now begin to make your requests known to God. Just start expressing what's on your heart to Him. You will notice that, once we are in God's presence, in this manner, that He begins to grant us faith to ask Him, for greater things than we ordinarily would be inclined to ask. We have entered the presence of the One for Whom nothing is impossible, and suddenly, everything seems possible! He in fact, begins to guide our prayer, by His Holy Spirit. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." [Rom 8:26]
While praying in the Spirit's power, don't be surprised if such times before His throne often get emotional. We are breathing in God's love, the atmosphere should get at least a little charged up. Most often it will be joyful, but sometimes, it may be in profound burden, and even mourning before the Lord, pleading for heartfelt supplications. In fact, these "groanings which cannot be uttered" are called by Paul elsewhere "travail", a descriptive term related to a woman giving birth, and the sounds that come from her at that time. It can denote deep pain and anguish of soul, as well as great rejoicing before the Lord. Bearing in mind that God is a God of order, that the spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet [1Cor 14:32-33], and that one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is self control (KJV: temperance) [Gal 5:22-23], just quietly trust the Spirit to lead us into all truth [John 16:13-14] . In other words, we should be able to receive the Holy Spirit's leadings, or even His manifestations in prayer [1Cor 12:7], [Acts 13:1-4], while refraining from such emotional responses that might attract more attention to man than God.
The order of the ACTS method is crucial, for two reasons. First of all, we need to make sure this experience of God's presence is purely Biblical, inspired by His Word, led by His Spirit, and not merely our own self stirrings. The second reason is more subtle. Over the years, I've noticed that we often are so burdened by problems and trials, and so focused on the specific needs we would bring before the Lord, that our prayer time becomes "needs centered", rather than God centered. Our prayer seems more like whining, or even like impatiently ordering fast food at the drive-thru window. We are actually being self-centered, rather than God-centered. Rather than the Holy Spirit leading our prayer, it's more like us trying to order God around with prayer. Rather than reverently listening for God's agenda, we merely present Him our agenda. In this state of mind, we often miss the full impact of the truth that God LOVES us, and wants to answer our prayer, and "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with Him also freely give us all things?" [Rom 8:32]. The key phrase here is "with Him", that is with Jesus. That is why the ACTS method starts with our attention on God. That is why Jesus taught us in the "Lord's Prayer" to start by acknowledging God as our Father. I've found that these key elements stand or fall on this first key, that is, getting our attention focused on God alone. A deeper relationship with Him should be our first purpose in prayer. The Kneeling Christian wrote :
"Prayer is, however, much more than merely asking God for something, although that is a very valuable part of prayer if only because it reminds us of our utter dependence upon God. It is also communion with God -- intercourse with God -- talking with (not only to) God. We get to know people by talking with them. We get to know God in like manner. The highest result of prayer is not deliverance from evil, or the securing of some coveted thing, but knowledge of God. "And this is life eternal, that they should know Thee, the only true God" (John xvii. 3). Yes, prayer discovers more of God, and that is the soul's greatest discovery."
Lord, open our hearts and mind to you to receive you Fully! Help us to have a deeper loving relationship with you daily!
Bless me and my Family! Amen. Amen. Amen.
Now begin to make your requests known to God. Just start expressing what's on your heart to Him. You will notice that, once we are in God's presence, in this manner, that He begins to grant us faith to ask Him, for greater things than we ordinarily would be inclined to ask. We have entered the presence of the One for Whom nothing is impossible, and suddenly, everything seems possible! He in fact, begins to guide our prayer, by His Holy Spirit. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." [Rom 8:26]
While praying in the Spirit's power, don't be surprised if such times before His throne often get emotional. We are breathing in God's love, the atmosphere should get at least a little charged up. Most often it will be joyful, but sometimes, it may be in profound burden, and even mourning before the Lord, pleading for heartfelt supplications. In fact, these "groanings which cannot be uttered" are called by Paul elsewhere "travail", a descriptive term related to a woman giving birth, and the sounds that come from her at that time. It can denote deep pain and anguish of soul, as well as great rejoicing before the Lord. Bearing in mind that God is a God of order, that the spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet [1Cor 14:32-33], and that one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is self control (KJV: temperance) [Gal 5:22-23], just quietly trust the Spirit to lead us into all truth [John 16:13-14] . In other words, we should be able to receive the Holy Spirit's leadings, or even His manifestations in prayer [1Cor 12:7], [Acts 13:1-4], while refraining from such emotional responses that might attract more attention to man than God.
The order of the ACTS method is crucial, for two reasons. First of all, we need to make sure this experience of God's presence is purely Biblical, inspired by His Word, led by His Spirit, and not merely our own self stirrings. The second reason is more subtle. Over the years, I've noticed that we often are so burdened by problems and trials, and so focused on the specific needs we would bring before the Lord, that our prayer time becomes "needs centered", rather than God centered. Our prayer seems more like whining, or even like impatiently ordering fast food at the drive-thru window. We are actually being self-centered, rather than God-centered. Rather than the Holy Spirit leading our prayer, it's more like us trying to order God around with prayer. Rather than reverently listening for God's agenda, we merely present Him our agenda. In this state of mind, we often miss the full impact of the truth that God LOVES us, and wants to answer our prayer, and "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with Him also freely give us all things?" [Rom 8:32]. The key phrase here is "with Him", that is with Jesus. That is why the ACTS method starts with our attention on God. That is why Jesus taught us in the "Lord's Prayer" to start by acknowledging God as our Father. I've found that these key elements stand or fall on this first key, that is, getting our attention focused on God alone. A deeper relationship with Him should be our first purpose in prayer. The Kneeling Christian wrote :
"Prayer is, however, much more than merely asking God for something, although that is a very valuable part of prayer if only because it reminds us of our utter dependence upon God. It is also communion with God -- intercourse with God -- talking with (not only to) God. We get to know people by talking with them. We get to know God in like manner. The highest result of prayer is not deliverance from evil, or the securing of some coveted thing, but knowledge of God. "And this is life eternal, that they should know Thee, the only true God" (John xvii. 3). Yes, prayer discovers more of God, and that is the soul's greatest discovery."
Lord, open our hearts and mind to you to receive you Fully! Help us to have a deeper loving relationship with you daily!
Bless me and my Family! Amen. Amen. Amen.
Hello Hewthir, we're praying for your strength and focus. Remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). Let's agree for your endurance and concentration in Jesus' name! 
@Philly_Campbell is starting a new life! Let's ask God to protect and guide her, and keep her surrounded by positive influences.
Let's remember persecuted Christians worldwide and pray for peace and salvation in Israel.
Hello everyone! 
Hello everyone! Let's lift up 
