How I Learned To Pray
I think there is a misconception about what it means to be a Christian. I still misbehave and make bad choices. I curse occasionally, drink too much alcohol, and can hold a grudge with the best of them. The only difference between me and so many others is, I am redeemed – the price was paid for my freedom through the blood of Christ. There is no magic wand that changes all my flaws, but I try to live a “good” life in my relationship with God.
In my desire to make my home a Godly home that doesn’t just check the Sunday church box on the calendar, I have started to pray daily. Knowing how to pray and feel confident you are “doing it right” takes time. Here’s a little tip: God hears you. There is absolutely no way to do it wrong. I find time to pray in my busy day while I’m doing the dishes or the laundry or driving the kids to swim class. God wants a relationship with me, and like any relationship, that takes work.
When I pray, I use this ACTS model;
A – Adoration, praising God for who He is.
C – Confession, telling Him everything we’ve done wrong and asking for His forgiveness.
T – Thanksgiving, thanking Him for prayers answered, helping us in our daily lives etc.
S – Supplication, asking God for daily needs.
It’s not a magic formula but helps me feel more confident praying, especially when I pray out loud. I also print iMOM “How to” prayer sheets and post them in my laundry room. It reminds me that God has blessed me with my laundry and I can use the time to be with him instead of begrudgingly cursing my children for wearing four outfits a day.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Please forgive me to yelling at my children. They are little sinners just like me and I am asking perfection out of a child who is imperfect.
Thank you for my three beautiful blessings and the ability to be home with them.
Please, God, help me find the joy in the mundane. Show me the blessings in the tantrums and trials.
In your awesome and wonderful name, I pray, AMEN!
If you want to read more stories like this one, check out What’s an Adult Baptism Like or Baby Christian.
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That’s really beautiful. I love the ACTS model. I’m not Christian, but my kids are partly. No matter what religion this mixed family is, I have learned to pray as I have gotten older too.
It’s very special to me.
Tamara, thank you for your lovely comment. I am new to this whole “christian” thing and just hope my small stories will inspire newbies as well.
This is great, I love the ACTS model. Thanks. I know that I am going to try it.
Thanks AmieJo! God knows my heart but verbalizing it to others can be scary but I use the ACTS model and it helps me feel more confident. I hope it will do the same for you.