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Learn how
to pray with SALSA
Want
to enrich your
prayer life? Try
SALSA!
SALSA
is a guide for praying that helps deepen our conversations with God.
When we pray using
SALSA,
we address not just our needs, but also matters and concerns about
which God cares deeply. Take a few minutes to think about and pray
about each letter of the acronym
SALSA.
Savor
God
Appreciate God's creation.
Think
about God's love and sacrifice for you. Thank Him for who He is. Jesus'
model of prayer for us started with: "
Our Father in heaven, hallowed
be Thy name. "
Thank God for being your heavenly father and think about what
difference that should make in you.
"
But let the godly
rejoice. Let them
be glad in God's presence. Let them be filled with joy. Sing praises to
God and to His name! Sing loud praises to Him who rides in the clouds.
His name is the Lord - rejoice in His presence!" Psalm
68:3-4 NLT
Admit sin
Begin by asking God to show you your dark side - thoughts, actions or
failures to act that don't honor God. Confess them and then ask God to
show you the next steps to address them.
"But if we confess our
sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sings and to
cleanse us from all wickedness." I John 1:9 NLT
"Search me, O God, and
know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that
offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."
Psalm 139:23-24 NLT
Let
go of guilt
The
Holy Spirit is the source of conviction. He shows us our sin to help us
overcome it. Satan is the source of condemnation. He wants to use our
sin against us. He's looking for a foothold to get us stuck in our
guilt and shame. His hope is that we will doubt God's ability or desire
to forgive. We must reject guilt after confessing our sin to God. We
must forgive ourselves.
"I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in
God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for
their sings, but they have already passed from death into life." John
5:24 NLT
Say
thanks
People who live close to God are often some of the most grateful people
on earth. They know the difference it makes to have a discipline of
gratitude in their hearts. Every day, think of something to thank God
for.
"And give thanks for
everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:20 NLT
Ask
God wants us to ask Him for anything and everything. Like any parent,
this doesn't mean He will always say, "yes." He loves us too much to do
that. The way that He chooses to answer our prayers is what is best for
us. If you are not sure how to pray about a particular situation, say
so to God. He desires and honors openness. Even if you think you know
how to pray about something, be open to God's promptings - God may end
up changing you in the process!
"
... if your children
ask for a
loaf
of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish,
do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know
how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your
heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him."
Matthew 7:9-11 NLT
"
In everything, by
prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Philippians 4:6 NLT
