My reservations regarding the 5 finger prayer pattern are it doesn’t incorporate two aspects that I consider essential. They are praise and confession. So I’d like to suggest another pattern for prayer – an ACTION prayer.
This is:
Adoration
Confession
Thanksgiving
Intercession
Outpouring
Needs
Adoration
The first, and what to me should always be our starting point, is praise or adoration of God. We should praise God for who He is and for His unique qualities. Take time to really dwell on the fact that you are in the presence of Almighty God. Adore Him. We have only to think about the innate qualities of God to find plenty to praise Him for. Some suggestions might include that He is Creator, the Almighty, the sustainer of all, for His faithfulness, His love, that He is our Heavenly Father, God of love and justice. In the Bible you will find lots of passages that help us focus on the attributes of God. Psalms is particularly good for this.
Confession
The second element missing from the 5 finger prayer is confession. Confession has always been a part of the Anglican tradition but it shouldn’t be something just kept for church on Sundays, but for each day, each time we are conscious that we have not acted as God would have liked. Repentance and confession is a vital part of prayer. It is essential that we keep short accounts with God and do not let sin go unacknowledged or unchecked and repented of.
Thanksgiving.
Thanking God for answered prayer and the all the blessing He showers upon us day by day. If you keep a notebook of blessings you will soon see how much each of us has to thank Him for.
Intercession
We are called to intercede for others for those who are sick and in any sort of need whether it is emotional, physical, spiritual, or financial. Intercede for those in your church, community, in other areas of the world where they are struggling, and especially places where believers are persecuted for their faith etc.
Outpouring
If interceding for others and their needs, doesn’t produce an outpouring of joyous praise I’d be very surprised.
Needs –
Lastly pray for your own needs, whatever they may be.
Other patterns for prayer include using a psalm, following the model of great people of prayer in the bible like Paul, Nehemiah, Hannah, or David. Model your prayer on the Lord’s Prayer but instead of just reciting it, stop in between each line to mediate on that and add to that thought.
As many of you know I keep a prayer journal where my morning prayers are written down. Of course there are always arrow prayers go up during the day as situations arise.
Whatever pattern or method we choose to adopt, prayer should be an integral part of our lives each day.
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