The fact is millions of dollars are spent each year to fill our minds with immoral images, our children with sugar charged & fat loaded foods, and our homes with more stuff to keep up with Joneses, and yet many church youth programs are mind-numbing and church around corner from seminary hasn’t grown in twenty years. If we want to change course of history, we must learn from past and take strategic steps in present. Appreciative of those who came before, progress will be made because we stay on cutting edge not because we squeeze tightly to tradition. Recognizing too that positive and productive relationships are essential to life of any church, outsiders must find it easier to say “yes” than “no” as they walk by kicking tires. For example, a fifteen-year-old student-athlete must be excited to invite his friends, not embarrassed. While at same time, a forty-nine year old mother of two should feel comfortable inviting her business colleague that recently went through a divorce. The future is bright if we prioritize properly and discard anything that could derail our vision.

Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to Lord;

Most would agree that worship incorporates act of singing. This is a physical action that allows worshippers to express though songs what is their heart. Even though singing is using our voice, it is quite different than just talking. Perhaps most unique thing about singing is ability for a group of people to express their worship in unison. With singing a group of worshippers can corporately say to God their expression of praise, gratitude, and thanksgiving. Everyone can at same time communicate to God. An offering can be made by church as a whole. Singing can provide worshipper with a greater ability to use emotions. Music has most unique property to create moods and emotions though various combinations of melody, tempo. Music is a language all its own. Praying

Matthew 6:7-15 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is kingdom, and power, and glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Prayer is simply communication with God. This you need to know; God wants to hear from you. He wants a full relationship. Prayer allows you to talk with God directly. Some elements of prayer can be a form of worship. Prayer is door of open communication with God. Prayer can be silent, it can be said aloud so that others can agree. It can even be sung to God. When it comes to prayer I like to use acrostic "ACTS". This stand for four important elements of effective prayer. These are four elements: A = Adoration C = Confession T = Thanksgiving S = Supplication

Adoration in Prayer

Take some time at beginning of your prayer to offer adoration to God. Tell Him how much you love and appreciate The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is so important to affirm your love. So often Christian blast into prayer by asking for things for themselves. A better way is to start our and tell God in what ways you love Him

Confession in Prayer

Your heart needs to be in right place when praying to God. Face it humans are sinful by nature. Confession is a form of acknowledgement of what is truthful. Most often we confess our sins. It is better to confess that to let God "find out". If we confess our sins he is faithful to forgive us. But I also want to add another perspective to confession. Something that can add another dimension to attitude of confession. That is to confess greatness of God. Make confessions of faith. Confess truth!

Thanksgiving in Prayer.

God has abundant resources available to every Christian. He desires to lavish you with all that he has to offer. The polite thing to do is to thank Him for all great things he does in your life. Thank God for everything and every circumstance.

Supplication in Prayer

As I said earlier it is common for Christians to heap on requests to God. God give me this, God give me that. Supplication is your request for something. Prayer needs balance. Often times it is supplication that Christians spend a majority of time. It is okay to ask. The Bible says to ask. But this should not be focus. You prayers should be according to God’s will. You will find that if you offer Adoration, Confession and Thanksgiving prior to your supplication, you will be in right attitude to ask for those things that are pleasing to God. Be bold in your supplication to God. He is a God of unlimited resources. Ask for things beyond yourself.

Preaching