I received a yellow index-sized card 27 years ago from a pastor in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania that taught me how to connect with God.  Within this past week I was reminded of this small card and tried to find it but couldn’t put my hands on it.  I may not remember what I did last week, but thank God, I remember this card well.  I remember what that little piece of paper did for me and how it grew my faith.  I would venture to say that this yellow index-sized card was a cornerstone in building my faith.      

I want to talk to you today about beginning to connect with God.  How do you connect with God?  Is this through something called prayer?  Well, then what is prayer?  Are there certain words you must say, and must you say them in a certain order?  For starters, Jesus himself taught us how to pray.  He said we should pray in this way….”Our Father who art in heaven…” we all know that prayer right?  This is a fantastic starting point to connecting with God.  I was shocked when my 5-year-old daughter learned the entire prayer after only saying it just a few times!  We certainly can all learn this.    

When I talk to my daughter about conversing with someone she can’t “see” I like to explain things simply.  One of my favorite thoughts about Jesus is when I envision children enthusiastically sitting around His feet waiting for Him to tell them a story.  The bible tells us in Matthew 19:14, “Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  Have you ever been around toddlers that are sitting around an adult waiting for the adult to tell them a story?  You’ll hear things like…You know what Jesus, my Dad is picking me up today and we’re going for ice cream…Did you know my birthday is in 10 days Jesus?…I’m sad because my Mom made me clean my room before I could come see you (that would be my child).  Can you tell I’ve been listening in on some of my daughter’s online school with her Kindergarten teacher?    

You don’t need to attend seminary school, take a class or have a spiritual mentor to train you in prayer.  You may have faith that is just beginning.  You may have faith that was put on the back-burner for some time.  Maybe you’re thinking about moving it to the front burner.  Faith that is as small as a mustard seed is just fine.  Maybe you would say that your faith is child-like, that is okay.  So, let’s apply Matthew 19:14 to us.  Simply put, come to Him.  Do not be hindered. 

I think there is an illusion that talking to God should be done on a certain day, in a certain manner where we use a lot of “thee’s” and “thou’s.”  This illusion supports the idea that God is far off and unapproachable.  The essence of prayer is sharing your heart.  How does one share their heart?  I can tell you from experience that it is done by having a simple conversation.  Starting a conversation with God can be simple.  Relationships only work if there is communication and two-way communication is critical to a healthy relationship.  Wouldn’t you agree?  Just for a moment, can you think of that one person in your life who always talks about themselves and never asks you how you are doing?  Ugh, so annoying, right?  So, we start by asking God, what’s going on with you these days God?  The point is, in order to build a friendship, there is dialogue back and forth.

God doesn’t make mistakes.  Jesus knew exactly what He was doing when He said, “let the children come to me.”  He wants to sit with you.  He wants to hear from you no matter how small you think the thought is that you want to share with him.  Did you know that the bible tells us that he knows how many hairs are on your head?  Luke 12:7 says, “Yes, God even knows how many hairs you have on your head.  Don’t be afraid…”  God is someone who knows you so intimately that He knows this about you and about me.  That blows my mind when I really think about it.  He is not far off, he’s personal. 

So, this is how I started to connect with God 27 years ago and this is how I still approach God today.  This is what was written on that yellow card… 

Each day talking to God should include Adoration and praise, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication (ACTS) for your own needs and for the needs of others.*  Now, stay with me.  This is not meant to be used as a formula, simply a guide.  Here’s how I like to walk through the steps.  First, I grab a fresh, new notepad.  I journal the date, things I pray and things I hear from God.  I love going back in my journal and seeing how God has answered prayers I’ve prayed that I wrote down.  It builds my faith every time!  I also just like to document things I’ve done; I like writing lists, so I don’t forget things too.  Okay, are you ready?  Comfortable?  Have a pen and paper?  Great!

I’m going to ask you to dedicate 20 minutes to focus on God and only God during this time.  Spend 5 minutes on each section.  Linger with Him.  Sit with him.  Imagine He is sitting there with you.  I know you can’t see Him but just imagine that He is.  Now, as soon as you sit down to spend time with God, you’ll remember you forgot to transfer a load of laundry from the washer to the dryer, add a grocery item to your shopping list or put something away in the kitchen.  Your thoughts may begin to run wild in the beginning, just try your hardest to focus.  Stay put, push through and focus.

 First, Adoration:  God, I praise You for…*

God inhabits the praises of His people.  Talk to God about Himself.  Tell Him you love Him for who He is.  Write personalized words about the characteristics of God.  His greatness, love, mercy, and so much more.  Praise Him for all the names by which He is called and by which He shows Himself strong in your life.  Reaffirm that this is the day that the Lord made.*

• Stop and just think about God.  Words may enter your thoughts, write them down. 

Second, Confession:  God, forgive me for…*

Name any unkind act/sin you need to acknowledge.  Anything unconfessed hinders your communication with Him.  He can see everything.  Keep short accounts with the holy God.  Check yourself against 1 Corinthians 13 or Galatians 5:22-23 to see if you are growing in these qualities.*

• 1 Corinthian 13:4-8 says, “Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.”
• Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.”
  • Don’t back down on me now!  You are not perfect.  Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Agree with God that there are things in your life that need attention and work.
  • Stop and allow yourself room to think.  Words may enter your thoughts, write them down. 

Next, Thanksgiving:  God, thank You for…*

Thank God for three specific things that He did for you yesterday.  This will make you aware of His answers and blessings.  If three reasons for thanksgiving do not readily come to mind, turn back to the previous day’s requests and thank Him for how He answered.  Giving thanks daily will develop a grateful spirit and a thankful heart.*

• Stop and just think.  Words may enter your thoughts, write them down. 
  • Try to find God’s beauty in nature, God’s fingerprints are all over the universe.

Finally, Supplication (Requests):  God, please, today I ask for others and myself…*

Prayer moves the hand of God.  First, pray for items from your weekly plans and for immediate needs.  Date your requests if you are journaling and don’t forget later to thank God for His answers.*  Talking to God is a two-way communication so move on to part two. 

Then, wait before God to hear His thoughts and plans for you.  Give God permission to fill up your day.  Say to Him, “What do you have in mind today, Lord, when you think of me?  Whatever You say, whatever it takes, the answer is ‘Yes, Lord.’”*

• Stop and just think about God.  Words may enter your thoughts, write them down. 

Whew! 

You did it!  Or you just read through it and you’ll actually do it later, that’s okay too.  I would love to hear all you felt, heard and experienced during this time!

The first time I walked through the steps above I was so nervous.  I was in college, living with my Grandmother.  I waited for her to go to bed so I could have the living room all to myself.  I had to wait a long time because she stayed up late watching Jay Leno and then sometimes Conan O’Brien (even though she said she didn’t like him much!).  Anyway, I sat in her chair and there was an orange recliner directly across from me, so I imagined Jesus was sitting there.  I remember feeling very silly.  I remember thinking to myself I don’t even know Jesus and I’m supposed to have a conversation with Him?  So, I thought, what kinds of questions would I ask someone I want to get to know?  Remember that child-like faith I was talking about earlier?  Well, guess what question popped into my mind?  I wonder what His favorite color is.  So, not speaking out loud (because that would be weird) I thought to myself, what is your favorite color Jesus?  All of the sudden, I genuinely thought Jesus was in the room.  I felt something different.  I kept looking at that orange chair as if he was going to magically appear.  Then the thought popped into my mind, purple.  Purple, huh?  I wrote it down.  Purple.  Ah, makes perfect sense.  Purple is the color of royalty and He’s the King.  I laughed to myself then started going through the four steps noted above. 

Give it a try for yourself.  God desires to hear from you and converse with you!  This is 100% true!  Proverbs 23:26 says, “My son (daughter), give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.” 

In closing, I’m grateful for the Pastor that passed out that yellow card to me one Wednesday evening 27 years ago.  God, you know where that Pastor is right now.  Please encourage him and let him know that the work he set his hand to 27 years ago has grown into much faith.  I am part of his harvest and I hope others who read this post will be encouraged to spend more time with you or even begin their journey of faith today.  I hope the seeds of faith that are planted today will grow into strong trees of faith that encourage others as well and walk according to Your purpose.  Amen.

* Gunter, S. (1991, 1992, 1995).  Prayer Portions, Birmingham, AL: AlphaGraphics.