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Prayer Power
by Mervyn Morelock, Lt. Colonel, Territorial Prayer Coordinator –
“O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord!”
During this Christmas season a Christian radio station in our city has devoted all of its broadcast time to playing Christmas carols. We have heard the majestic melodies of hundreds of traditional songs of praise and adoration of Jesus. One song I’d never heard before had a very simple message: “And the best gift of all, is Jesus!”
There are many musical variations of the meaning of Christmas, the arrival of the Son of God after centuries of prophecy, the baby lying in a manger, the incredible gift that God gave to the world, His Son, Jesus. Listening to these songs of the love of God has enriched my own prayer life.
It’s the hymn, Adeste Fideles, with it’s first line, “O come all ye faithful,” that invites us to worship the gift that God gave us. “O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.”
To “Adore” is to love, worship, admire, idolize.
A balanced prayer life always includes Adoration. A well-known pattern for prayer uses the letters ACTS to describe how we ought to pray. We are to pray with adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.
Adoration—Let God’s presence enter here! Picture his coming into your room and sitting down at the table or desk with you. Tell him how much you love him. Praise him for who he is. Exalt him!
Confession—The confession part of prayer becomes the place where you “put off the old self and put on the new.” Just be honest with God every day about the struggles you may have with little white lies, rude remarks, foul language and lust that you struggle with. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”(1 John 1:9).
Thanksgiving—“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1Thess 5:16-18).
If there is anyone deserving of our gratitude, it’s God. This is the place where you record, each day, answers to prayer. Here you can express appreciation to him for his goodness, mercy and blessings towards you. Give God the credit for the good things that come to you and the accomplishments.
Supplication—God wants us to ask him, not tell him. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
God wants us to believe that he is the God of Ephesians 3:20, “Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.”
Keep your heart right with God or you’ll fit into the category of Psalm 66:18, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”
Pray for your family, friends and neighbors—even your enemies! Regularly add to your list persons with specific needs such as those who are sick, need jobs, or have other concerns. Ask God to help. Pray for your officer, for those in authority, for Christians in other countries, and world leaders. Pray too, for your dreams and God’s purpose in your life.
As you put up your 2008 calendar in a few days, remember the three letters of a balanced prayer life, ACTS, and promise yourself and God, that you will practice the presence of God, be a blessing to others…and that you will Adore him every day!
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