Make Supplication


I had the opportunity this morning to introduce the subject of supplication during a prayer and worship service at church.  We prayed in four sections centered on the acronym A-C-T-S:  adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.  It helps focus peoples thoughts on what to pray about and makes sure that different aspects of prayer are included.

I briefly discussed two passages of scripture to explain what supplication is and how to apply it.  Here is what I said:

In the last section we will pray through the 'S' in ACTS.  The 'S' stands for Supplication, which means to make requests or ask for things you need.  Let's prepare our minds for supplication by listening to a few verses.  The first one is from Philippians.

Philippians 4
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

In Philippians we learn that when we make supplication we can still experience joy, thanksgiving, and peace.  When we think about our challenges in life or what we need or do not have, it is easy to feel anxiousness, nervousness, or even despair.  But Paul reminds us that it doesn't have to be this way because we can trust God to provide what we need.  He knows.  He cares.  He will answer us.

Let's also look at a passage from 1 Timothy.

1 Timothy 2
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions [supplication] and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior

We also see in Paul's letter to Timothy that we can pray for others and specifically for those who have authority over us.  Bear in mind, there are multiple centers of authority in society;  governments, business owners, in families, churches, and others.

For us to have peace our leaders must govern  peacefully.  They must seek peace for the area they are in charge of.  And believe or not, for us to grow spiritually, we must be free to live according to our own conscience before God.  There is no spiritual growth without making conscious choices to follow Christ each day.

So please pray with me.  I will start us in prayer, and then continue silently when I am done...

Father God, we thank you that we can come to you and ask you for the things we need.  Father, would you please provide for our  health, for our finances, and for reconciliation with those whom we have conflict?  Father we ask that you would make us more obedient to you day after day.  And please Father work in the hearts of those that you have placed in positions of authority to give us the space we need, so that we may enjoy lives of godliness and tranquility...

Comments

  1. A Texas LibertarianMarch 1, 2023 at 10:07 AM

    Well said! I wish there were many more like you in Christian leadership positions.

    ReplyDelete

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