An atheist was walking through the woods one day, admiring all creation. Not long into his walk, he heard a rustling in the tall grass. As he picked up his pace, the rustling turned into the sounds of grunts. He knew what it meant—wild hogs. The atheist started to run as the grunts grew louder. He could smell the animal’s stench. As the hog bared down on the exhausted man, the poor walker fell to his knees and cried out instinctively, “Oh Lord, help me.” It suddenly grew eerily quiet. Then a voice from on high broke through the silence. “You dare pray to me yet don’t believe in me?” the atheist replied, “You are right. It is presumptuous of me to ask anything of you. I am not a Christian yet, but prove to me who you are. Grant me this prayer. Make the hog a Christian first?” The next sound heard was from the wild boar, head bowed, eyes closed, hands pressed together to his mouth--“Lord, bless this food I am about to receive for the nourishment of my body.”
The atheist learned the hard way, you have to be careful how and what you pray. Christians should be equally careful, because often, believers are no better than the world in their approach to prayer. We can’t afford to make prayer an empty, idle act of vanity.
We have much to entreat of God: sickness, wars, natural disasters, strife. If ever we needed to beseech God it is now. Prayer cannot be empty acts in times of distress.
The Hebrews understood the necessity fervent, meaningful prayer as they were in their dark times—exiled in Babylon, far from home. Prayer was a priority for the prophet Nehemiah. He learned of the disastrous condition of Jerusalem and desired to return to lead in the restoration of the city. He need permission from the King of Babylon for whom he served as cupbearer. But first he sought God in prayer. We can learn from his prayer in Nehemiah 1, an approach to prayer that produces great results. His prayer was an an act of A.C.T.S.
ADORATION: First, say something nice about God before you start asking for something. Meaningful prayer is relational. Nehemiah told God of His awesomeness (5).
O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands..., Nehemiah 1:5
God is great, awesome, a promise keeper who loves us. What is our obligation to God in response to His qualities of covenant love? If God loves us, we should love Him back. Obey his commandments. How does this affect the results of our prayers? A loving God will answer our prayers that proves His love for us. A father will not give his child a stone if they ask for bread (Matt. 7:9). Begin your prayer with, “I adore you God for being God because…”
CONFESSION: Second, tell God your shortcomings that distinguishes you from Him. Nehemiah owned up to Israel’s sins (and his own):
I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. Nehemiah 1:6
Come to God with contrition and humility. Leave pride outside your prayer closet. Make certain you acknowledge your offenses against God. King David did. What would you identify as the sin that plagued David?
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so, you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Psalm 51:4
What would you identify as the chief shortcoming of our nation? How have you contributed to this? A prideful prayer is an impotent prayer. Tell God you recognize His worthiness by your unworthiness. “I confess God I am not you because…(be specific).”
THANKS: Third, thank God for what he has done for you today? Nehemiah was thankful for God’s redeeming grace.
"They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. Nehemiah 1:10
Because God is Jehovah Jireh (Provider), He is forever giving us what we most desperately need even though our obedience is often lacking. Our sins deserve fatal judgment, but His response is amazing grace. He redeems (pays for) our sins and restores us with His righteousness. Before you ask God for anything, thank Him for everything. Be specific. “I thank you God for a solid roof over my head even as Afghan and Haitian children sleep in tents…”
SUPPLICATIONS: Lastly, ask God for something for someone else, then yourself.
Nehemiah ask God for favor for the purpose of influencing the king on behalf returning home to restore Jerusalem:
Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man." I was cupbearer to the king. Nehemiah 1:11
Notice, Jeremiah identifies himself as a servant. So, his purpose is rooted in his prayer. His focus is serving others, his country, his city. He wanted to use his position of privilege to improve the life of someone else.
Is your prayer “servant-centered” or “self-centered”? Notice he never asked for anything for himself. The inference is this: If the community is blessed, the individual will be blessed.
How can you bless others from your blessed position? With “servant-purpose” as a prayer priority, God is covenantly inclined to grant your personal request that is in line with his love for you. It’s ok to ask something from God as long as it is purpose-driven.
It was for Nehemiah. The King gave him permission to go. He gave him provisions for the trip and resources for the purpose. An A.C.T.S prayer is not the only model, but it if worked for Nehemiah, why not you. Start by keeping a prayer journal. Once a week (try to grow to daily) record: (A) Why you adore God; (C) Confess how you have acted unloving against God; (T) Thank Him and be specific, even the tiniest thing, and (S) Ask him to bless you to serve others.
Life is no game. Let’s up our prayer life.
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