Adjusting our Perspective

Perspective is the manner in which objects appear to the eye in respect to their relative positions and distance.  The same is true when we apply this metaphysically to our emotional, intellectual and spiritual view points.  The key word when it comes to perspective is the word “relative.”  

We often use metaphors of rose-colored glasses to describe the optimist or a half-empty glass to describe the pessimist.  What we are really doing, of course, is making an observation about their relative perspective.  

Worldview is another way of describing perspective as it seeks to identify the way in which we view the world.  In other words, how do we view, experience and relate to reality?  While reality is objective and constant, our perspectives are relative and variable – or as I like to quip in scientific terms, our perspectives are dynamic.

So when it comes to prayer and the ways we approach our conversations with God, it is helpful to consider, evaluate, and perhaps even adjust our perspective on a regular basis.  The goal in this exercise is to bring our thinking more into alignment with reality, or truth.  The benefit of practicing this exercise frequently is that it helps to “course-correct” our dynamic, constantly shifting perspective.

One of the simple methods I’ve found to be helpful through the years in this perspective-realignment is the A.C.T.S. prayer model.

This model suggests beginning our prayers in a place of Adoration – expressing God’s beauty, grandeur, power, tenderness, glory and wonder.  We begin by acknowledging God’s attributes and character as revealed in Scripture and specifically as revealed in Christ.  In some cases this time of adoration can involve a connecting of our spirit with the Spirit of God in expressions or utterances “too deep for words”, as “deep calls out to deep.”  For some, this includes praying in tongues, while for others this can include alternative expressions of adoration, such as art or music.

Second, this model encourages us toward Confession – confessing that God is God and we are not.  This can flow very naturally out of adoration, as many of the declarations we acknowledge may include God’s uncontested divinity.  Confession can also include self-examination.  “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts.” (Ps. 139:23)  We may be well aware of things we need to confess, but there may also be things we are unaware of – that we’ve not yet identified.  The Spirit of God can help us with this as well.

Next, this model encourages us toward Thanksgiving – expressing gratitude for all God has done, is doing, and will do in us, through us, around us, and even in spite of us.  We classically like to thank God for the “safe” things like family, friends and good health, and these are all good and valid.  James also encouraged the church to “Consider it pure joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (Ja. 1:2-4)

Lastly, this model invites us into to a time of Supplication – of making our requests known to God.  This includes our petitions, our hopes and requests for ourselves, and this also includes our intercessions, our hopes and requests for others.

My honest inclination is to skip everything else and jump straight to the supplications.  But any time I’ve put in the hard work of realigning my perspective through Adoration, Confession and Thanksgiving, I’ve found my prayers to be infinitely more rich and infinitely more effective.  Perhaps you’ll experience the same?