ACTS: a Way to Pray - Psalm 33: 10-17

Thursday, January 13

ACTS: A Way to Pray

Psalm 33: 10-17 “The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; from where he sits enthroned, he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds. The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.”

Adoration: Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You that, through the blood of Jesus, I am one of Your children and belong to the people you have chosen as your “heritage.” I praise You that Your Wisdom and Counsel are true forever and that You are absolutely in control. I love that You care about everything that happens to me and want to bless me.

Confession: I confess that like the Israelites, I am part of a nation that behaves as if we are invincible and all knowing, forgetting that all strength, wisdom and knowledge comes from You. I am sorry for the many times that I charge ahead in my own knowledge and strength without seeking You first. I end up making a mess for You to clean up. Forgive me for not aligning myself with You and for not trusting that You know exactly what’s best.

Thanksgiving: Thank you, God, that I can depend on you 24/7 because Your Truth and Counsel stand “forever.” You always fulfill all Your promises to me. Thank you, too, that I have been adopted into Your family and that, as Your child, I can come to you anytime with any request and know You will answer me.

Supplication: Lord, while I rush around trying to get everything done, I am often oblivious to You and what You are accomplishing in my life. When my plans don’t line up with Yours, please “frustrate” them the way you frustrated the plans of the nations that surrounded Israel. Make me stop long enough to seek Your face and Your will. Nudge my life ship back onto the course You have designed for me. In Jesus’ name and for the Father's glory, Amen.

Use these verses and ACTS to write your own personal prayer in your journal.