Chuck Bridges Blog

I think we have 12 or 13 homes being used on Sunday night during this session of small group Bible studies in people’s homes. That’s almost double the homes we had in January! I have to be honest, the Home Group Lisa and I are privileged to lead is definitely the best. We have seven people who are ‘brand new’ to our church family and six of us who have been here a while. Lisa and I were talking Sunday night about how great the ‘Connecting’ aspect has been after we finish the study.

It was refreshing for me this past Sunday to try and lead the study. Our lesson carried me back to Matthew 6:5-13 where Jesus gives his followers some basic instructions concerning their personal prayer-life. I don’t know how much our group got out of the study but I can tell you that it was exactly what I needed!!! As I studied last week God reminded me how busy I have become in my “Work” for Him and have neglected the “basics” of cultivating a close relationship with Him through prayer. Man, He really jolted me from a place I didn’t even know I was in and brought me back to some long time disciplines that I have neglected. It has been refreshing to renew some of these “necessities” in my personal life.

Is it okay if I ask you about your personal prayer life? Would you say that it is healthy or sick? Is it something that you refuse to neglect? Just as breathing is essential to living, prayer is essential to life in Christ. We cannot go very long without it. It’s like unplugging your cell phone from the charger. It works for a while but soon runs down. Does your prayer life need to be recharged?

Recharging your Prayer Life includes…

• Picking a place and time to talk with God and don’t let anything keep you from it
• Be consistent in your process of prayer — a good one to follow is the A.C.T.S. acronym: A = Adoration (Praising God); C = Confession (of sins); T = Thanksgiving; S = Supplication (petitions or requests)
• Write down things you are praying for (you’ll be amazed at what God does when we pray)
• Pray for and with your family

Get plugged in to God’s Power through Prayer. You’ll be glad you did! Check out Matthew 6:5-13!