Prayer is at the very heart and core of what we are about as Christ Followers. In the Creation account in Genesis 1 and 2, from the very beginning, God desired to have conversations with people, the zenith of his handiwork. Part of what it meant to be created in the likeness or image of God was that we were made to be in a relationship in which we could speak and listen to God.

Throughout the Old Testament, we find our spiritual ancestors communicating with God. Sometimes it is God seeking them out for a particular mission, like Abraham who is called to leave the familiar and go to a place which God will show him; or, Moses, who in the burning bush receives God’s call to lead Israel out of Egyptian bondage. In the era of the Judges, the people of Israel forsake God, do what is right in their own eyes, experience the consequences of their waywardness, and then in desperation come limping back, asking God to forgive and restore them. The Prophets hear God calling them in all kinds of ways and then share their pain and sorrow with God when rejected by the people.

In like manner, the New Testament begins and ends with God speaking to people through angels and their response in the best way they know how. If the truth be known, as much as a third of Jesus’ ministry must have been spent alone or with his disciples in prayer. Likewise, the early church with leaders like Peter and Paul were constantly in prayer, gaining strength, guidance, and passion as they listened to and shared their deepest praise and longings with God. The Bible ends with a prayer and blessing in Revelation 22:20 and 21 when John writes, “He who testifies to these things say, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen, Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.”

With all of that said, from the earliest days of my journey of faith, I have known of the importance of prayer for a meaningful relationship with God. I know that God wants to spend time with me, but caught up in all of the busyness and distractions of this world, I haven’t always made time for God.

By nature, I am a dreamer and am always envisioning what could be in the future. As a discipline in the most positive sense, prayer requires my concentration. I know that prayer shouldn’t be any different than talking with my best friend and wife, Alice. But, she is here in human form, visible and verbal as we communicate. God is not.

Believing that some of you might be like me and need some practical encouragement, let me share with you a couple of adjustments that have turned prayer upside down for me. First, I use a journal in which I write my prayers down. While I never go back and read them like some people I know, the discipline of writing down what I am sharing with God helps me stay focused. I greatly admire people for whom this is not necessary, but I know that I need to journal.

The second adjustment is that I use the old A C T S method of organizing my prayers so that my mind isn’t taking me all over the place. I start with Adoration, expressing appreciation to God for who he is. The more I see God in His grandeur and glory, the more I realize who and what I am not. That naturally moves me to Confession which is agreeing with God about all of the ways I am unfaithful, disobedient, selfish, going my own way rather than walking with God. After the catharsis and relief of confession, my eyes are open in new ways to Thanksgiving as I realize all that God has done and all that has given me and the ones I love. Finally, I am ready for Supplications, sharing my deepest concerns and interceding on behalf of others.

Before using A  C T S, I might first come to God with my deepest concern or need or pray on behalf of others for whom I care and am concerned. I may never really get around to confession or adoration. But when I turn prayer upside down by starting with who God is and I am not and express my gratitude and thankfulness, my original reason for coming to God is cast in a whole different light. Sometimes my concerns don’t seem nearly as important or my attitude of faith has grown and I know better how to pray with confidence.

In the last several years, prayer has become increasingly meaningful to me as God has helped me turn prayer upside down. What adjustments may God be calling you to make?