Lent is a time for reflection, repentance, and seeking God. I would like to encourage each of you to dedicate some time during Lent this year to use a prayer acronym that I have found very helpful over the years. I plan on using it regularly myself this Lenten season.

The prayer acronym is ACTS, and each of the letters stands for an element of prayer.

A stand for Adoration. I like to begin my prayer expressing an attitude of adoration and worship towards God. I especially focus on God’s will during Lent. Not my will but Your will be done Lord. Help me to see your ways, your thoughts, your priorities. “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name.”

C stands for Confession. Help me to see those things in my life that are not pleasing to you. Help me to recognize my blind spots. Help me to focus and recognize not only the wrong things I have done, but also to focus on right things that I have not done. Both aspects of confession are part of our communion liturgy: We have not done Your will, we have broken Your law; but also, we have not loved our neighbors, we have not heard the cry of the needy”

T stands for thanksgiving. It is natural to spend our time thinking of things that haven’t gone well.

Sometimes we tend to focus on negative things. Even in our “Joys and Concerns” time in service, the “concerns” sometimes far outweigh the “joys” That is why the Word encourages us in so many places to intentionally and purposefully give thanks. “Be joyful always, pray continually, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

S stands for supplication – asking God for things. God encourages us to pray about the things we need. James admonishes us: “We have not because we ask not” Many elements of the Lord’s prayer are supplications to the Lord: “Give us this day our daily bread”, “lead us not into temptation” “deliver us from evil.” Paul writes: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6) I encourage you to make Lent a meaningful time of preparation for the joy of the resurrection. May God Bless You as you seek Him.

Pastor Jim