PRAYER FACTS We can use the acronym F-A-C-T-S to remind ourselves of the basics of prayer. Faith Adoration Confession Thanksgiving Supplication Faith For prayer to be meaningful, it must be founded on biblical faith. True faith encapsulates knowledge, agreement, and trust in God alone. Ultimately, it is the object of faith that renders faith effective — not faith in faith but faith in the triune God. The prayer of faith is rooted in Gods Word. R.A. Torrey said, To pray the prayer of faith we must, first of all, study the Word of God.... As Paul puts it in Romans 10:17, Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (emphasis in original). Adoration Faith naturally leads to adoration that expresses our love and longing for God. Adoration in turn leads to praise and worship. The Scriptures overflow with descriptions of Gods greatness. The Psalms, in particular, contain passionate prayers of worship, expressions of adoration to the King of Kings. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker (Ps. 95:6). Confession The Psalms are also replete with confessions, such as that of King David: Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight (Ps. 51:4). Confession means acknowledging that we stand guilty before God. There is no place for self-righteousness. We develop intimacy with the Lord through prayer when we confess our need for His pardon. The apostle John writes, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving Nothing is more basic to prayer than to enter his gates with thanksgiving (Ps. 100:4). Giving thanks is a function of faith, not feelings. It flows from the assurance that our heavenly Father knows and provides exactly what we need. Paul encourages us to be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thess. 5:16-18). Supplication God desires His children to bring their requests with praise and thanksgiving. Scripture promises that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him (1 John 5:14-15). Despite His provision, the purpose of prayer is not to pressure God into providing us with pleasures, but to conform us to His will. As you internalize these F-A-C-T-S, remember that the power of prayer becomes a reality only through the practice of prayer.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 06:44:45 +0000
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