Read & Pray

• Guidance and Wisdom: The Bible serves as a guide for daily living, offering wisdom and counsel for various situations.

Scripture: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105)

• Understanding God's Will: Reading the Bible helps Christians understand God's will and purposes for their lives.

Scripture: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)

• Nourishment for Spiritual Growth: Just as physical food nourishes the body, the Bible nourishes the spirit and promotes spiritual growth.

Scripture: "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation." (1 Peter 2:2)

• Strengthening Faith: Regularly engaging with the Bible strengthens faith by reminding believers of God's promises and faithfulness.

Scripture: "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17)

• Encouragement and Comfort: In times of trouble or distress, the Bible provides comfort and encouragement.

Scripture: "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." (Romans 15:4)

• Learning to read the Bible for yourself can be intimidating but it doesn't have to be difficult - and it's vital in your walk with Jesus.  Here are a few tips.

• The Bible Project: 1 Minute Video Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plSNIwhAn5o  

10 Tips for reading the Bible

• Choose a Bible Translation: Select a translation that is easy to understand and aligns with your preferences. We tend to use the NLT.  The most common translations include the New International Version (NIV), New Living Translation (NLT), or English Standard Version (ESV).  We use the NLT because of it's easy-to-read wording. 

• Pray for Understanding: Before you start reading, ask God to help you understand His Word and apply it to your life. 

• Start in the New Testament: Begin your reading journey with the New Testament, particularly the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), which provide accounts of Jesus' life, teachings, death, and resurrection.  Romans gives a great view of the redeeming work of Jesus.  Ephesians gives a beautiful overview of the glory of Jesus and how to live the new life in Christ.

• Set Aside Regular Time: Establish a consistent time each day to read the Bible. This could be in the morning, during a lunch break, or before bed. Consistency helps build a habit.

• Read in Context: Rather than jumping around randomly, start reading a book of the Bible from the beginning and work your way through it. This helps you understand the context and meaning of what you're reading.

• Take Notes: Write in your Bible or keep a notebook to take down thoughts, questions, and insights. This can deepen your understanding and even serve as a record of your growth over time.

• Reflect and Apply: After reading a passage, set aside time to reflect on how it applies to your life. Consider how you can live out the principles and teachings you see in the Word.

• Seek Guidance: Be proactive to learn from more mature believers or find reliable Bible study resources if you have questions or need clarification on certain passages.  Understanding the Bible is often a community effort.

• Join a Community Group: Consider joining a Community Group at Reclamation or connecting with other believers who can encourage and support you in your journey of faith.  Everyone needs support. 

• Be Patient and Persistent: Healthy growth often takes time. Be patient with yourself and persistent in your reading and study habits.  Remember God's mercy and grace as you seek the spiritual growth that only He can give. 

Why pray?  We believe that when God's people pray, He moves to do what only He can do!  

Here are a few first-step reasons why followers of Jesus pray: 

Confession our faults and turning from them:  Prayer provides a platform for us to confess our sins, remember our forgiveness in Jesus, and experience renewal. 

• • "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

Expressing a heart of gratitude: Prayer offers us an opportunity to express gratitude and thanksgiving to God for His provision, presence, and faithfulness. By cultivating a heart of Christ-like gratitude we can grow in every aspect of our lives.

• • "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Spending time with God:  You were made for a relationship with God.  And, just as in any relationship, time spent together is important.  Prayer allows us to say our private thoughts, emotions, and desires to God, while also listening for His loving guidance and experiencing His peace.

• "But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you." (Matthew 6:6)

Got Questions?: Prayer video overview - How to pray

Although there are many ways to pray, the "ACTS" model of prayer is an easy framework that many followers of Jesus use to help our prayer time. It stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. Here's a brief overview of each component:

Adoration:

• • This is the beginning stage of prayer where you express your love, reverence, and adoration for God. You focus on His attributes, such as His holiness, love, faithfulness, and greatness. Adoration is about recognizing God's worthiness of praise and worship.

Confession:

• • In this stage, you acknowledge and confess your sins and shortcomings before God. You humbly admit your mistakes, faults, and areas where you've fallen short of God's standards. Confession is about seeking forgiveness and cleansing, and it helps to maintain a right relationship with God.

Thanksgiving:

• • This stage involves expressing gratitude and thanksgiving to God for His blessings, provisions, and the ways He has worked in your life. You reflect on the goodness of God and count your blessings, offering heartfelt thanks for His faithfulness and grace.

Supplication:

• • Supplication is the final stage of the ACTS model, where you bring your requests and petitions before God. You pray for your own needs as well as the needs of others, interceding on behalf of friends, family, community, and the world. Supplication is about seeking God's guidance, provision, and intervention in various aspects of life.