A.C.T.S. of Prayer

SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY Readings: Lesson: 1 Samuel 18:5-16 Psalm: 17 Epistle: Romans 6:1-14 Gospel: Matthew 5:17-26 ADORATION Almighty God, I praise You because You listen to my prayer. You visit me at night, You try my heart and test me in order to purge me for any malice within me. You inspire me to keep away from destructive ways and hold close to Your paths. I call upon You when my feet slip, and You answer me with Your marvelous loving-kindness. You keep me as the apple of Your eye, and You hide me under the shadow of Your wings. You save me from the violent and presumptuous, from those who close their hearts off to kindness and compassion, and from those who think only of this world and nothing more. I see Your Presence when I do what is right. I see Your likeness when I open my eyes. CONFESSION Lord, in his anger and envy, King Saul hurled a spear twice at young David, who avoided both strikes. I confess that I too hurl spears of thoughts, wo...

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY Sunday, July 21, 2019 Readings: Lesson: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Psalm: 16 Epistle: 1 Peter 3:8-17 Gospel: Luke 5:1-11 ADORATION God of protection and counsel, I bless You for Your comfort and solace. You have given me a heart and mind that instruct me in Your ways night after night. You never abandon me to the hell of despair, and so my heart is glad to feel the fullness of joy in Your presence. You never allow me to see decay and corruption, and so my body rests in certain hope. You show me the path of life, and so my glory, my Higher Self, rejoices in the heavenly delights of Your Son, who sits at Your right hand. You are my Lord; I have no good besides You. You are my portion, my inheritance, and my cup. You are all I need. I place my trust and find refuge in You, and I rejoice in the beautiful heritage You give me. CONFESSION Lord, You revealed to Samuel that You do not see as we see. You do not look at the outward appearance,...

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY Sunday, July 14, 2019 Readings: Lesson: 1 Samuel 8:4-22 Psalm: 12 Epistle: Romans 8:18-23 Gospel: Luke 6:36-42 ADORATION Spirit of comfort and rescue, I praise You because You always help me when I am in trouble. You remind me of honesty when I am surrounded by lies and deceit. You remind me of truth when I am immersed in emptiness and vanity. You remind me of humility when I am attacked by mouths which speak proud and exalted things. Your words—Your thoughts, Your intentions, Your purposes, Your designs—are pure words, tried and purified seven times in the flame of Your Holy Spirit. For the solace of the needy and because of the deep sighing of the poor, You rise up to set at rest, and to intercede with Your own sighs too deep for words. CONFESSION Almighty God, our only Ruler and Sovereign, the people of Israel demanded that Samuel give them a king, not because they rejected him, but because they rejected You. You then w...

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY Sunday, July 7, 2019 Readings: Lesson: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 Psalm: 9 Epistle: 1 Peter 5:5b-11 Gospel: Luke 15:1-10 ADORATION Almighty God, I will sing praise to Your Name because You are the Most High. You are the One who is enthroned and who judges the world, the nations, and every individual in righteousness and truth. You do not forget the cry of the afflicted, the poor and needy. You do not let me prevail, and I praise You for that because if You did, I would surely sink into the pit I make. Rather You prevail, showing me who I really am, so that You can manifest Your grace, lift me up from the gates of death, and cause me to rejoice in Your salvation. You do not fail or abandon those who seek You, but rather You are a refuge in times of trouble, a stronghold in oppression, and so I put my trust in Your Name. CONFESSION Father, You called young Samuel when he did not yet know You through Your Word, and others rarely heard or...