We just had a session about prayer, and it taught me so much about how I pray and how I can pray in new ways. In the past, I believed that prayer was just a way for me to come to God and tell Him my wants and needs. That was it. I treated God like a genie in a bottle and only talked to Him when I needed Him. Listening to this session, it really changed my viewpoint of prayer and how I can use it to grow closer to God. Instead of treating Him like a far off God, I can talk and communicate with Him like a close friend.

Prayer is a form of connection between us and God. This is basically intimacy and friendship with the God of the universe! He wants to have a relationship with us that is authentic. He wants to hear all about what’s going on, the good and the bad. He doesn’t want to be distant, He is constantly pursuing us and this was honestly crazy for me to hear. God actually wants to have a connection with me. But how do I do this? How do I have a genuine connection with God? One strategy that was given was A.C.T.S. This is just one of the ways that I am learning how to pray, but it is definitely not the only way!

Adoration - to show a deep love and respect for what He has done.

Confession - talk to God about where you are struggling and things you need to give to Him.

Thanksgiving - thank God for all the big and little things happening in your life.

Supplication - making requests to God for whatever you need. 

The last part of ACTS has been hard for me to pray for because I don’t want to abuse the blessing of prayer. I don’t want to go back to my old habits of going back to God for things or wants. I think the best way for me to truly respect what God is doing is to check my heart when I go to prayer. I know that God wants us to come to Him, so I want to make sure that I honor Him and give Him the glory in every way I pray. I want to come and ask in humility and in an understanding that God’s timing is perfect and the best answer may not be the one I wanted. I hope to learn to listen for His voice and allow Him to speak into my life to give me guidance through prayer. Prayer isn’t a request to a genie, but a conversation with my father and good friend.

I am so excited to talk with my father and get to learn more about Him. I can't wait to see where He will guide me and what He will show me and the squad. So excited for what He will do!!

- Lauren