Pastor Chris

On a regular basis, people ask me how I pray. I must confess that I feel inadequate to answer that question. I always feel like I should pray more. With the pressures of work and raising children along with the other factors that make life busy, my prayer life suffers. In spite of my deficiencies in the discipline of prayer, I have learned something of value.

In the midst of the squeeze of life and my lack of focus, one simple tool has helped my prayer life more than any book or sermon on prayer. This tool is an acrostic of the word “acts.” The components of a healthy, balanced pattern of prayer are found in this simple word. Each letter of the word “acts” gives us an essential ingredient in understanding prayer.

The letter “A” of the word acts stands for adoring. When we pray, regardless of our posture or location at the time of prayer, we should take time to thank God for who He is. Jesus taught us to do this in the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus prayed, “Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name.” Take a moment to adore God as you begin your prayer.

As a father, I am a little disappointed when I come home from work and open the door to endless requests from my children. Kids will be kids. I know that. However, it is nice when I am greeted and welcomed with a “Hi Daddy!” or just “Daddy!” It is important that we take a moment to greet God in our prayers before we dive into our endless grocery list of requests.

The letter “C” of the word acts stands for confessing. The older I get, the more I understand how imperfect I am. When I compare myself to others, I am not that special. I am not a great man. When I compare myself to God, I have no hope except through the grace of Jesus Christ. Our failures that go on in our lives—without confession—build walls between us and God. They also build walls between us and our family and other significant people. We have to keep moving those failures out of the way through confession.

Jesus taught us to confess our sins. Jesus prayed, “Forgive us when we sin as we forgive those who sin against us.” Jesus had never sinned personally. However, Jesus taught us that powerful prayer comes from the heart of a humble individual who is willing to admit his mistakes.

The letter “T” of the word acts stands for thanking. A grateful heart is a happy heart. Nothing is more shameful than someone who lives their life with a sense of entitlement. We cannot be so naïve to think that any good that we have received in life is only because of our own efforts. I am reminded of the story of the rancher inspecting the fence around his property. The rancher saw a strange sight. At the very top of one of the fence posts stood a turtle. Before putting the turtle back down on the ground, the rancher said with a chuckle, “I know one thing for certain. You didn’t get to the top of that post by yourself.” Our gratitude acknowledges that we understand this important principle.

The letter “S” of the word acts stands for supplicating. Supplication is an older term that simply means to ask for what you need. Jesus taught us to do this by praying, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Jesus also reminded us that “we have not because we ask not.” Asking God to supply our needs, whether they be health or financial, is essential. We should also be praying on behalf of others who need our prayers.

I hope this simple word “acts” helps your practice of prayer as much as it has mine. It is hard to keep a balanced prayer life. In this busy world it is difficult to find time to pray. However, prayer may be the most important thing that we ever do.

What I have learned about Brazil is that Brazilians are about people. Around us in many churches, there is great material poverty. Yet what these people lack in material things, they have an overflowing abundance of wealth in relationships. They know how to love and embrace people openly. There are ever ready to stop and speak with someone. They smile openly and they hug with great warmth, sincerity, and strength. It has been a great blessing to me. In a short time, I have had an opportunity to enjoy deep fellowship and warmth with the people we have had the privilege to meet. This ability to love people is a true wealth. This is represented by the elderly lady or man sitting outside their single room cinderblock house smiling, yet willing to invite you in to enjoy conversation and fellowship. We can compare this at home with the similar lady or man in their Mercedes with no time or desire to meet or speak with you unless they are requesting something from you for themselves. They look miserable and have no time for anyone. One orientation is outward and selfless while the other is inward and selfish. The latter is cold, lonely, and miserable.

God would call us to be wealthy in relationships and while being careful with God as our protector, I pray that I can learn to have a deeper love for people. This is much like the love from Jesus. Even though he was busy, He always had time for people.

Thanks to our team that brought the hope of Jesus Christ to Rio. We had a great trip. Many, many people found new life in Jesus Christ.

The first man I visited in his home was living with a woman. He decided to follow Jesus with all of his heart.....he wanted to turn his life around.

He proposed to the woman he was living with...and arranged to get married and baptized on the same day.

Talk about a 180!

During our week of worship and neighborhood visits at Betel Church Niteroi...my team of three had 33 who officially desired to become Christ followers and affiliate with the church.

The other 9 teams along with mine represented over 250 who did the same. many more were listening and responding as we walked through the neighborhoods--so there were many lives changed. However, we have specific church records on the 250+.

The pastors and local church leaders are very equipped to plug these people into discipleship ministries so that they can grow.

Special thanks to Boca Glades Church in Florida for including us in this vital partnership for Brazil.

Also, thanks to all at NVC and SRBC and other friends who prayed, gave, and supported this endeavor. Thanks to others who were involved in trips to Africa, Mexico, etc.

Pastor Chris

Great thoughts from J. Ortberg.....Pastor Chris.


We try to look smarter or more successful or more spiritual than we are. We try to answer questions we don’t understand. But it is a heavy burden, trying to be Superman when we’re grown up.

There is another way to help people out instead of trying to be the Superpeople we aren’t. The primary reason Jesus calls us to servanthood is not just because other people need our service. It is because of what happens to us when we serve.

We must embrace limitations. That is whence strength comes. God is not chewing his fingernails over whether or not we are going to serve in a ‘super-manner.’

We must minister out of weakness. The reason we help others is not because we are strong and they need us; it is because if we don’t help them, we will end up a hopeless relic.

Why does AA insist on anonymity? The purpose is not only that people can attend AA meetings without being exposed to the outside world as alcoholics; there is the added reason that no one is allowed to use AA as a vehicle to fame. The founders realized the fatal lure of celebrity. The only way to life was to remain a fellowship of drunks helping each other.

That is the kind of servanthood Jesus calls us to—a society of sinners helping each other.
Excerpted and adapted from The Life You’ve Always Wanted, by John Ortberg, Zondervan, 2006