Prayer for Illumination
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who is everywhere and who fills all things. Treasury of blessings and Giver of Life, come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls. ~Manual of Eastern Orthodox Prayers
Scripture: Psalm 25
Do you recall a time when you were facing a difficult trial and you realized that your own sin was the reason for the trial? Or perhaps your problems were not caused by deliberate sin, but rather by immaturity or foolish decisions. In such a situation, what should you do? In Psalm 25, we are instructed to seek God in times of difficulty, no matter what the reason may be. This psalm teaches us to confront our trials by turning to the Lord.
Using the ACTS model of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication, read through Psalm 25 and then pray the following:
Adoration
Look for anything that tells you what God is like or points to His character and give Him praise.
“Father, I praise you that you are my provider and give me rest when I am weary and oppressed” (25:1-2).
“Father, I praise you that you are my teacher and the who saves me” (25:4-5).
“Father, I praise you that you choose not to remember my sins or hold them against me for the sake of your goodness” (25:6-7).
“Father, thank you that you are good, upright, and faithful to instruct and to teach” (25:8-9, 12).
“Father thank you that you are full of covenant love and faithfulness towards your children and that you are faithful to pardon sin” (25:10-11).
Father, thank you that you are mighty to save, and that you are my refuge, guard, savior, friend, and redeemer” (25:16-22).
For a prayer video for praying Psalm 25, watch this video:
Confession
As you acknowledge who God is and adore Him for all that He is, confession is a natural consequence. This is a moment of introspection as you ask God to search your heart for areas that displease Him.
This psalm instructs us to pray to the Lord, fear the Lord, and trust in the Lord. Ask God to search your heart and if God is leading you, confess to the Lord your prayerlessness; confess to the Lord those times you have not feared Him;
Confess to the Lord those times you have failed to trust Him.
Psalm 25:11 is a prayer for God to pardon guilt and sin. If there is known sin in your life, make your confession to God and trust Him to forgive.
Thanksgiving
This is a time to express gratitude for what God has done and for who He is. Allow the Scripture you have read to feed your thanksgiving.
Thank God that He is trustworthy……
Thank God that He has pardoned and forgiven your sins……
Thank God that He is faithful to lead and instruct you……
Thank Him for specific ways He has been good to you……
Supplication
In this moment, pray for yourself and others that you will be able to put into practice what you have read and heard.
“Because you are good and faithful, give me guidance in the area of……”
“Because you are sovereign and mighty, I trust you today to meet my need of……”
“Because you are faithful and good to pardon sins, I pray for_________ (name) today that they would experience the reality of your saving power.”
“Father, v. 15 says that you will pluck my feet from out of the net. I am in the net of______________ (situation). Please deliver me.”
Hymn of Reflection
I lift my soul to God,
My trust is in His name;
Let not my foes that seek my blood
Still triumph in my shame.
From the first dawning light
Till the dark evening rise,
For Thy salvation, Lord, I wait
With ever longing eyes.
Remember all Thy grace,
And lead me in Thy truth;
Forgive the sins of riper days,
And follies of my youth.
The Lord is just and kind;
The meek shall learn His ways,
And every humble sinner find
The methods of His grace.
For His own goodness' sake
He saves my soul from shame;
He pardons, though my guilt be great,
Through my Redeemer’s name.
(Lyrics By Isaac Watts)
Closing Prayer
Almighty God, you are slow to anger and full of compassion. You have promised to forgive all who humbly repent and trust in your Son as Lord. I thank you that there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
(see Exodus 34:6-7; Romans 8:1)
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Prayer Guide written by Rev. Travis Johnson.