1/26/2026
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,
as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent
that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed,
you may also be glad with exceeding joy."
1 Peter 4:12-13
Last night I spent some quality time with four members of my Harvest online study group. One of the ladies hosts a Zoom prayer meeting for us once a month, and this was our second meeting. We had a small group, but it was a full, rich time of acknowledging who God is by using the ACTS Prayer Model which is a wonderful way to balance out and keep our prayers focused when we spend quiet time alone with God or in a group, such as this one. We wanted to have a time where we could exalt the Name of the LORD, and we wanted to get to know each other better. Each week in our regular Bible study group we share prayer needs, but the time is too short to really focus on specifics. But, just to be clear, prayer is the most important part of our lives, so if an urgent prayer need is presented, be assured that we would spend the time on it. Meeting once a month to focus on prayer, this method has been very well received by the other ladies, and I must admit that it is important to consider how to approach a Holy God on a daily basis in our quiet time. Below is an explanation of the ACTS Prayer Model provided by Google on my word search:
- Adoration (A): Worshipping God for who He is, focusing on His attributes, character, and names (e.g., "God, You are loving and all-knowing").
- Confession (C): Acknowledging and repenting of sins to God, asking for forgiveness to clear the way for honest communication.
- Thanksgiving (T): Expressing gratitude for what God has done, including specific blessings, answered prayers, and His faithfulness.
- Supplication (S): Making requests for one’s own needs (petition) and the needs of others (intercession).
- Structure: It provides a simple, memorable framework that can be used for 3–5 minutes or longer in a daily quiet time.
- Balance: It ensures that prayer is not just a "wish list" of requests, but a balanced conversation that begins with worship.
- Flexibility: While it is a, it is a guide for honest, real, and heartfelt conversation with God rather than a rigid set of rules.
- Relationship to the Lord's Prayer: ACTS is loosely based on the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), incorporating adoration ("hallowed be your name"), confession ("forgive us our debts"), and supplication ("give us today our daily bread").
- Helps Maintain Focus: It prevents the mind from wandering during prayer by providing a clear, sequential path.
- Deepens Relationship: It encourages a more profound experience of God's presence by starting with worship rather than demands.
- Increases Gratitude: By dedicated time to thanksgiving, it shifts perspective to recognize God's work in daily life."
When we were discussing "Gratitude" and how it related to the trials we encounter in life, one lady shared that we need to thank God for the difficult seasons that we go through, because these are times of proving our commitment to God as well as our total surrender to His will. I realize that as we go through the desert, there are times of refreshing as we yield ourselves to God's care, trusting Him with each step of the journey. In our Christian walk we will spend much time in the valley, because in order to get to the mountain, we have to cross the valleys to prepare us to climb the mountain slopes. If we spent all our time perched on the mountain top, how would we realize the truth of the Word and the faithfulness of God. The scriptures speak of the testing of the LORD, and it is likened to times in the desert, or the back-burner of the wilderness, as I choose to call it. It's a time of preparation and a time of molding us and conforming us into the image of Christ. If we didn't go through trials, how could we face the deeper times of persecution and hardships that will invariably tempt to shake our faith and trust in God? Even when we do begin to ascend the mountains, there will always be briars, rock slides, twists and turns, and varmints hiding in the bushes and trees. This is the life of the follower of Christ. There is a high cost to discipleship. Jesus spoke about counting the cost in a parable found in Luke 14:28-33:
"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it - lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish'? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple."
It is good to bring all matters to God in prayer. Spending time with Him alone, in quietness, listening and learning build the relationship and friendship He seeks to have with us. He has desired this since He created the world, and He hasn't changed His mind.
I value these times of prayer with my sisters in the Lord, and this model is just one way. The important thing is commitment to times of prayer and fellowship, growing in our faith together, sharing the good times and the bad, and learning to worship and adore our King of kings and Lord of lords. There's no better friendship than those who love the Lord and worship in Spirit and in Truth. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We follow Him.
"The Spirit of prayer makes us so intimate with God
that we scarcely pass through an experience before we speak
to Him about it, either in supplication, in sighing, in pouring out
our woes before Him, in fervent requests, or in
thanksgiving and adoration.
O Hallesby
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