ACC PRAYER ROOM

The theologian Henry Nouwen commented that repentance is the necessary first step of prayer. The Psalmist David wrote that “if I regard sin in my heart, the Lord won’t hear me (Ps 66:18). As you enter this place to focus on repentance, ask God to “search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps 139: 23, 24). Unconfessed sin creates a barrier to prayer.

Your sins, past and present may weigh heavily upon you. You may have regrets and wonder how you could possibly be forgiven for all the awful things you have done and said. The Bible tells us that all sin, past, present and future has been forgiven by Jesus’s death on the cross. “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1). Nothing we can do can keep us from being forgiven, accepted and loved by God (Rom 8:31–39). “If you confess your sins, he is faithful and just to forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).

Furthermore, you are now a new creation and the old is gone—completely (2 Cor 5:17).

As you meditate on your sins being washed away by Jesus’s blood (Heb 9:14), write your sins on the chalkboard and erase them with the red cloth. (These are found in the drawer of the end table.

Jesus calls: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matt 11:28, 29). “Cast all your cares on him (Jesus) for he cares for you” (1 Pet 5:7). Whatever is burdening you today, bring it all to Jesus. Place it at the cross and go away light and free. There are stones in a basket by your bench. Write a burden on the stone with a sharpie (in the drawer) and place it at the foot of the cross.

Look at the pamphlets in this room for additional ideas about how to use your time in this space: lectio divina, Ignatius’ examen, silence and listening, meditation. Sample prayers are provided both on handouts and in the resource center.

“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker” (Ps 95:6). “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness” (Ps 29:2). “Worship the Lordwith gladness; come before him with joyful songs” (Ps 100:2). “Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp” (Ps 149:3).

Most people are unaccustomed to distinguishing between praise and worship. Worship is acknowledging God for who he is and praise is thanking him for what he has done. In these next two spaces, you will have the opportunity to do both.

As you worship the Lord in this first space, take a few moments to meditate on the names of God that are being projected on the wall in front of you. What do they mean to you? You may desire to sit quietly and meditate on who God is in his grandeur and majesty as well as his love and compassion. You may wish to kneel or even lay prone. You may also dance and sing with abandon like King David did (2 Sam 6: 16– 21) to celebrate God. (This is a private space, so go for it!) Tambourines and prayer ribbons are provided. The music and lights may be changed to your preference.

In addition to the scriptures quoted at the beginning, additional Bible passages are suggested on the pamphlet and there is a Bible on your table. You may even wish to take communion. The elements are also available on the table. What better way to worship him than to focus on his love and redeeming power!

Praise is thanking God and being grateful for what he has done. A monitor will be displaying scenes that may remind you of God’s awesome creation, but he has done many other things especially for you. Take a look at the handout on the Irish way of attentive prayer to learn about paying attention to all that God is doing.

You will find a Bible in this room on the desk. You can start by reading some of David’s praise Psalms such as Ps 33, 37, 67, 78 (history of Israel), Ps
103, 104, 139, 147, or 150. All throughout the Psalms there are references to God’s awesome creation, and how he saves, protects, loves, guides, shapes, and cares for his people. Several Psalms mention praising God with joy, song, dance and musical instruments. You may wish to spend your time praising him with joy (Ps 100, 150).

In the desk, you will find lined and plain paper, as well as various writing utensils. Perhaps you would like to write a list of things you are grateful for, write a letter to God, or write your own Psalm about what he has done for you. You can also use your God-given creative abilities to draw a picture, or even use the modeling clay. (Please be respectful of others and do not mix colors.) As you mold the clay, think about how God is molding you into the person he created you to be.

Asking God for what we need is an important aspect of prayer. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matt 7:7, also John 14:13, 14; John 15:7; John 16:23, 24). God loves to give good gifts to his children. “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matt 7:11). He loves for us to submit to him, needing his help, rather than doing things on our own. The Bible tells us to ask, and we will receive. Part of asking though is being in tune with God’s will (1 John 5:14). It is a good idea to spend time listening to him, so you can be guided in your prayers. You will find some handouts in this space about how to listen to God.

There is a wooden wall with slats. You can write prayer requests on the cards provided and stick them in the slats. Pray for the cards that are there—you don’t need to remove them to do that. God knows.

In addition to your own requests, the Bible tells us to intercede for others “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Eph 6:18; see also Matt 5:44, Acts 8:15, Acts 12:5) You will find current needs around the world, in our nation and community and from our church. These will change to stay current. Please take a moment to pray for these too.

If you would like someone to pray with you, please note this when you sign up for your prayer time and one of our prayer team or staff will be available.

We would greatly appreciate your input about your prayer room experience. Let us know what you found meaningful, what you didn’t respond well to and any suggestions you might have. There are cards to fill out on the table where you enter.

We pray that this will be an experience that draws you closer to God and gives you a greater knowledge of prayer so that you can be a regular and powerful pray-er in your own life and for others. Thank you for visiting.