Do you know what’s always been tough for me? Praying out loud in front of a group of people.
I’m not going to lie. I even get anxiety at night praying out loud beside my kiddo and my husband.
An introvert by nature, I like to collect all my thoughts together before I ever speak a word. I sit in awe of people who seem to just speak every word as it comes to their mind. I’m more of a writer … hence the blog posts. 😉 Once it’s written, I can talk on it all day long. But put me on the spot … and I struggle!
But let me tell you what my favorite night of the week has become since we stumbled upon it earlier this month at Trinity Baptist Church … Prayer Night on Wednesday nights at 6:00 p.m. in the Choir Room.
It’s become my favorite night for several reasons.
First, we sing and worship God together as a group. Kinda like sitting around a campfire with an amazingly talented guitar player and an awesome group of friends … except we don’t have a campfire. But singing together with a group of other Christians in a small setting is just rejuvenating for the soul.
Second, we study something amazing every week. Last week we talked about how to use the ACTS Model to pray. It was like God knew I was struggling to figure out how to improve my prayer time with him, so he placed a lesson in front of me all about how to pray!
Third, we get together in small groups and pray for whatever is on our minds. We pray for the church and the direction we are going. We pray for one another and the changes and struggles we are facing in life. We celebrate victories and praises together. In other words, we learn about one another on a personal basis while asking God to guide us all. (My favorite part of the night actually … 🤫 don’t tell the guitar 🎸 player!!)
Fourth, I have become more comfortable praying out loud. It’s forced me out of my comfort zone. Mainly, it’s made me recognize how my pride (fear of being judged for saying the wrong thing or not being eloquent enough) has held me back from just speaking from my heart when I talk to God.
I just love Prayer Meeting Night! My favorite hour of the week! Tomorrow night (Wednesday) you should totally come join us. Maybe you need somewhere to get what’s on your heart out in the open. Maybe you just want to come pray for our church and our community. Maybe you just want to worship with some great music. Doesn’t matter the reason … you will be welcomed in the Choir Room.
And if you have never heard of the ACTS Model for prayer, I have found it very helpful this week.
ADORATION
Start your prayer by praising God and worshiping him. Acknowledge how great God is and how you want to glorify him. When your heart is full of adoration for God, your prayer time focuses on the belief that God has the power to heal, restore, and cleanse.
CONFESSION
Next, ask God to forgive you for your sins of the day. Ask him for help in areas where you know strongholds are on your heart and weighing you down. By confessing your sins to God, you let go of the chains that have been holding you down and find freedom in his mercy.
THANKSGIVING
Next, thank God for all of the blessings in your life … including the struggles you are facing. By being intentional about thanking God for everything in your life, you will start to notice just how much you have around you to be thankful for, no matter what you’re facing.
SUPPLICATION
Finally, ask God for whatever is weighing on your heart. Ask him for help, guidance, and things you or others need.
Matthew 7:7-8 reads, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”