Get the FACTS on ACTS
by Karen BraunEXPERIENCE a transformational group activity with this simple one hour prayer strategy that cultivates inquiring, hearing and obeying God and how to contend for felt needs and lost souls for the advance of God's kingdom!
Sept -December 2008 ACTS Verses
"If we wish to pray with confidence and gladness, then the words of Holy Scripture will have to be the solid basis of our prayer. For here we know that Jesus Christ, the Word of God, teaches us to pray." Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Those who have used this strategy of praying God's Word testify to it as life changing!
FOCUS - For one hour, once a week in a breakthrough prayer group, learn to inquire, hear and obey God’s Word in prayer for the advance of his kingdom by the suggested theme. Let the ACTS scripture verses guide your faith adventure in prayer. Ask him to instruct you and expect him to answer.
EXAMPLE OF FOCUS - Inquire
2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. 3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Proverbs 2;2-3(NIV)PRAYER - "Father, we set aside this time to tune our ears to wisdom and concentrate on understanding. Thank you for your Word and that you desire to direct this hour of prayer. We invite your Holy Spirit to lead and guide us and expect to leave this hour having met with you and better equipped to inquire, hear and obey you!"
ADORATION - Our look at God. To adore God is to appreciate God in our heart and mind and tell him so with our lips. What does this verse say about him? When we take time to focus our attention on the One who can meet our every need, according to his Word, it enables us to lift our attention off circumstances and onto God's sufficiency. Do you believe he is who he says he is? What is something new he's revealing to you about himself by his names, titles, attributes, works or miracles? Take the time to tell him how that makes you feel. Praise is a great weapon against the 'd' words like- discouragement, despair, disaster, depression, division, dejection, etc. Demonstrating faith by believing God welcomes his presence into the declared praise of his people! "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
EXAMPLE of ADORATION -
5 He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth. Psalm 33:5 (NLT)PRAYER - "Unfailing Father of love, everything about you is worthy of trust. Your words are true and all your ways are good and just. I praise you that your heart is to fill the earth with your unfailing love. You are not going to back down on your Word because, you are always true to your character. You will be faithful to reveal more of your unfailing love to the needs in this world and in my life and in my family because that is who you are. I honor you and put my trust in you because you are enough."
CONFESSION- God's look at us. Agree with God about sin - personal and corporate. What is his Spirit saying to you about your thoughts, attitudes, words or actions? Will you confess, repent, surrender, renounce and forsake sin, bringing every thought captive and make it obedient to Jesus Christ? Do you believe, receive and extend his forgiveness without exception? If we hide sin our prayers are hindered. For an in-depth spiritual assessment use the Prepared Hearts Guide. "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts."1 John 1:9-10 (NLT)
EXAMPLE of CONFESSION
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Romans 8:12-14 (NLT)
PRAYER - "Father the truth of your Word exposes that I do not have an obligation to the urges of my sinful nature since you have given me life through the power of the Holy Spirit. The reality is I don't always choose your provision, which means I restrict you from filling me. That is sin. Please forgive me for not trusting your provision and for not receiving all that you long to give and have provided for. By faith I receive your Spirit to fill me to overflowing. By faith I claim you to be enough for what I don't know, especially in raising my children."
THANKSGIVING - Our look around. An attitude of gratitude for the benefits we receive because we belong to God, enable us to recognize that he controls everything, not just the blessings, but the problems and difficulties too. What is his declared provision? Do you approach him with a thankful heart for every person and circumstance? Will you exercise your faith with thankfulness for the who and what you are concerned or burdened about? Can you make a 'faith-exchange,' your anxiety for his peace? Trouble becomes opportunity to exercise faith. This pleases God. "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit."1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (NLT)
EXAMPLE of THANKSGIVING
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 (NLT)PRAYER - "Thank you LORD that as your words are taught, they give light to whoever receives them by faith. You illuminate my path. Thank you that I can trust you to give your wisdom and insight for what I don't know. Thank you that as I continue to teach your words to my children I can trust you to light up my way and their way. It is a release Lord to let you do it. You are the only one who can anyway. I'm grateful I can exhange my burden for your peace and provision."
SUPPLICATION - God's look around. There is nothing more exciting then partnering with God and asking Him for what you know is already in His heart and desire to give. Do you ask believing that He wants to give you more then you can think of? Do you exercise the authority in prayer he has given you as his child on behalf of others? Are you aware of the power of two or three agreeing together in one accord? Do you expect his kingdom to advance through your faithful prayers? How big is your imagination?
Here's a sample outlining the ACTS format using the Word.
EXAMPLE of SUPPLICATION
11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. Matthew 18:11 (NLT)
PRAYER - "Jesus, your Word declares that you came with a purpose to save the lost. That means you have already purposed in your heart to save my children, and to save their friends and their families too. I know that you already conquered deception, death and destruction, so I remind you of that and ask that you will prove that victory in my children, their friends and their families too. I pray they will declare with their mouths that your ways are full of unfailing love. I pray that they will not walk in obligation to their sinful nature both that you will awaken them to living their life in the provision of the cross through your Holy Spirit. I speak your truth into the lies of the evil one and declare that you Jesus will take what Satan has meant for harm and turn it into good. Would you please speak to then and awaken their heart to hear and know your unfailing love. Wood you meet them at their exact point of need?! I know you know them best. I ask this in Jesus' name for your honor and glory. Amen."~ Karen and her husband Doug Braun were led by the LORD to sound the call of Breakthrough Prayer Ministry after their own prayer, "Our answer is 'Yes Lord!' What is the question? Keep us from any distraction, we choose to serve you!"