I’ve had to change the way I pray…
About 12 or 13 years ago I read a book that completely changed the way I pray. Bill Hybels wrote, Too Busy Not To Pray and it completely revolutionized my prayer life. I have a hyperactive ADHD personality so I would be prone to pray for a a few seconds and my mind would completely go somewhere else. Then Hybels suggested actually writing out my prayers in a notebook. I’ve been doing it ever since. He also suggested using the A-C-T-S Method. “A” is for adoration, “C’ for confession, “T” thanksgiving and “S” supplication.
However after being introduced to the Grace message I realized that I need to remove the “C” confession from my prayers (and add it under thanksgiving). Why? Because God has already forgiven me. The only time I need to ask for forgiveness is when I ask Him to be the leader of my life. I just need to continually thank Him for the forgiveness He has already given me. Man, has it changed the way I look at life. Refreshing!
[edited because of misunderstanding]
I still confess, it is just my confession is added to my thankgiving. So when I confess I say thank you forgiving me for….
So I guess I know pray using the A-T-S Method.
What do you think?
Kevin do you remember the message I posted on my blog “would you say something”…
I have to say something…
I care about you though I’ve never met you…
I know you have been struggling …
Watch out for the teachings of Wathcman Nee, and especially Witness Lee…
whether you know it or not… you have been influenced by these, probably third person…
If Paul needed to confess, and taught it… then its important…
If Jesus taught we needed to confess, then its important…
Avery,
Yes, I still confess but I think it is less forgive me & more thank you for the forgiveness you have given me.
Gotcha…. you scared me…
Avery,
Thanks for checking & sorry for my lack of explanation.
Thanks for explaining that Kevin. I was wondering too. Avery just beat me to it…
I know individuals who still confess every single sin from when they were a child and they are senior adults. They would say it’s the only way to pray.
Please pray for me as I continue to try to share with them otherwise.
Camey’s last blog post..Questions Answered.
I was wondering where you were going with this, Kevin. — your clarification helped greatly. Like you, I’m so thankful that God has forgiven me for my sins (past, present and future) through the atonement of Christ. I still confess the sin (specific) that I allow to seep into my life during prayer, but agree with the concept of thanking God for His graceful forgiveness.
Darryl’s last blog post..Super Powers
Sorry for the misunderstanding.
Great distinctions, Kevin. I thought I was the only one with an ADD prayer life!
Neil’s last blog post..Orators or heralds?
Do you know the acronym for PRAY?
P - praise
R - repentence
A - another
Y - yourself
Add A Comment