Thanksgiving (ACTS)
Thanksgiving:
There are many ways to pray, and over the last 2 weeks I have reminded us of an old acronym that has been a great tool for me and many over the years. ACTS: A=Adoration, C=Confession, T=Thanksgiving, S=Supplication. These 4 words help remind us of all God desires of us in prayer. Adoration keeps our eyes looking up at our perfect God and His beautiful character reorienting our minds to praise and off ourselves. Confession is our opportunity to shed our sin, restore our fellowship with God, and remind us of our continual need for Jesus. Supplication is where we get to ask God for all that we need, because we are in fact needy!. He even encourages us to ask with persistence! So now today we look at thanksgiving, which puts us in a place to remember all that God has done to love and serve us. Adoration helps us see His character, but thanksgiving is about extending gratitude for how The Lord has served us in His goodness. Like adoration though we are reminded that everything good that we have is from the Lord, not from our own hands It also helps us see that God is at work even in the darkest places, and helps us choose gratitude even in our trials. So this is the space to thank God for what He has done for you! Thank Him for providing a way of escape from your sin and the sin of others! Thank Him that your guilt and shame have been swept down His River of Life never to be felt again. Rejoice and thank God for this mighty work in your life. the amazing gifts He has chosen to give to you, thank Him for being His daughter or son.
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The Practice:
Consider changing your physical posture or location for prayer. Sometimes disrupting your normal way of approaching God can awaken some new perspective or open your heart in a new way. Kneel, lay prostrate, or stand with lifted hands, consider dancing or singing your gratitude. Go outside to a new or favorite place, and ask God to help you hear something new about Him as you gaze at His creation and then express your gratitude.
Read Psalm 100 and 107
Thank God for the many blessings in your life, all the people and love that surround you and point you to Jesus.
Thank God for His hand as He has guided and directed you throughout your life.
Thank God for your church and all of the leaders that have helped you to learn and grow.
Thank God for The Holy Spirit, who lives inside of you and guides you into truth and freedom.
Thank God for the Bible that tells us about who God is and how much He loves us.
Thank God for all of your physical blessings, like your home, and job, and food.
Thank God for your breath, your body, your life, and a chance to love and serve Him.
Thank God for your trials and struggles which help you learn to rely on God and glorify Him in all circumstances.
Thank God for sending Jesus to die in your place, and for His resurrection, which makes you alive to God.