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Praying is an essential aspect of every Christian's life yet so many of us still don't know how to pray. Some know how to pray in one way but have no idea that there are many different ways to do so.
Now, since nothing in this life can be more important than prayer, learning more about it is the wisest thing you could do. One form of prayer time is the A.C.T.S acronym which actually models the way Christ Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6) with the exceptions of thanksgiving. This prayer acronym is a powerful tool that can help guide your prayer life. ACTS stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.
Whether you are a seasoned prayer warrior or just starting to study the
Like this content on Facebook power of prayer, the ACTS prayer method can help you pray with greater depth, focus, and intentionality. By using this acronym, you can be sure that your prayers are well-rounded, covering all the vital aspects of prayer and life.
In this article, we'll explore each aspect of the ACTS prayer acronym and provide some tips on how to pray effectively. So if you've been looking to level up your prayer life, keep reading.
How to Pray According to the A.C.T.S. Prayer Model
You can use the word ACTS to help you to remember the different types of prayer. You can pray one or all of these steps in a single prayer time, and in any order. Continue reading below to find out more about each letter of the A.C.T.S. acronym.
ADORATION
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth. - Psalm 34:1, EVS
Adoration is step number one in the ACTS prayer model acronym. Adoration is also just a fancy way of saying praise God. Therefore, the first step is to start by praising God. This step sets the tone for the whole prayer while reminding us of exactly Who we are communicating with.
We choose to remember who the Lord Jesus Christ is by thinking about His attributes, His character, and His personality. This step is important because it strengthen our understanding of who He is and purify our minds so we can better hear His voice.
Spending time in prayer adoring God is a simple but powerful act. It reminds us of exactly who He is and how privileged we are to be able to communicate with Him. Here are some tips on how to adore God:
HOW TO ADORE GOD
Meditate on one attribute of God that you have experienced recently. Then take a moment to talk to Him about how you have seen this attribute at work in your life.
Choose one of the many names of God found in the Bible (link) and reflect on its significance. Think about how that name reveals something unique and powerful about God's nature. Then, use the same name in your prayer as you worship and adore Him.
Read a Psalm to God. Choose from Psalm 8, 19, 23, 46, 100, or any other Psalm that speaks to you.
Visualize the beauty of God's creation and praise Him for His creativity and majesty. Let your heart and mind be filled with awe at the works of His hands.
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CONFESSION
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 - EVS
Confession is step two in the ACTS prayer method. This is another critical element of prayer as it helps you to be honest with God and cleanse your conscience.
See, when we tell God the truth about all we've done, we find relief in the fact that He knows and still loves us. In addition, the Bible reassures us, that God forgives us (1 John 1:9).
HOW TO CONFESS
Remember your sins and deal with them one at a time. Avoid the temptation to pile them up without examining each one individually.
Confess your sins with specific examples, like "I have been dishonest in my dealings with others," "I have lusted after someone who is not my spouse," or "I have been neglecting my responsibilities."
Ask God for His forgiveness and the strength to turn away from those sins from this day forward.
Read a scripture that speaks to the area of sin in your life, and ask God to help you comprehend and apply it to your situation.
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THANKSGIVING
With thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God - Philippians 4:6, EVS
Thanksgiving is the third step in the ACTS prayer model and is a way of communicating gratitude to God. There is a difference between feeling grateful and expressing thanks. Saying thanks to God is not the same as feeling grateful because it demands active participation and the verbalization of your appreciation. When you feel grateful, you feel good, but when you give thanks, God is moved.
So while feeling grateful is crucial, expressing thanks to God is even more so, as it moves Him. As the creator of all things, God deserves to be acknowledged and thanked for His abundant blessings. Not only does this demonstrate our appreciation for Him but also strengthens our relationship with Him. Here are a few ways you can give thanks:
HOW TO GIVE THANKS
Say thanks to God for the different types of blessings in your life: answered prayers, spiritual blessings, relational blessings, material blessings, and more.
Grab inspiration from Bible verses like Psalm 103:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, and Luke 17:11-19 to guide your thanksgiving.
Particularly give thanks for things that have occurred in your life, such as a new job or a relationship that has been restored.
Give thanks for the lessons learned or any growth that has taken place in your life through your past experiences.
Look for opportunities to express gratitude to God for everything He has done in your life, both big and small.
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SUPPLICATION
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, - Ephesians 6:18, EVS
The fourth and final step of the A.C.T.S prayer acronym is Supplication. This is the type of prayer that most people choose to pray. They are the requests that we make to God for help or guidance in our daily lives.
Now, while supplications may seem self-serving, they are also an important element of the A.C.T.S prayer acronym as they remind us of our dependence on God and His sovereignty in all things.
As children of God, we can and should always approach Him with our needs and concerns. Here are a few tips on how to make supplications in prayer:
HOW TO ASK
Break down your requests into categories: family, personal, church, people, pastors, and governmental officials.
Pray specifically for each family member, including your spouse, children, and wisdom in financial and educational decisions.
Pray for your church, including spiritual leaders, programs, and ministries, for the salvation of lost souls, and for special projects.
Pray for Christian brothers and sisters, friends, the sick, the elderly, and those who are in trouble.
Ask for guidance in personal growth, including spiritual growth, wisdom, and decision-making.
Be specific in your requests, asking for God's protection, guidance, and provision for each family member and for healing and strength for specific illnesses or conditions.
Base your requests on God's will and promises in the Bible, using verses such as Philippians 4:6 to guide your supplications.
Final Thoughts on The ACTS Prayer Model
Finally, remember that the A.C.T.S. prayer acronym provides a complete framework for coming to God in prayer. Through adoration, we acknowledge and honor God's greatness, by confessing our sins, we purify our hearts and minds, through thanksgiving, we express our gratitude for the blessings He has given us, and through supplication, we bring our requests before God, trusting in His sovereignty and love to meet our needs. Everything is covered in one simple method.
We developed several prayer journal pages to help you implement the ACTS prayer model. You can download them by clicking the above picture.
As you begin your A.C.T.S prayer journey today, know that God hears it all and He loves to hear it all. Use the framework to guide your prayers but never let it become just a routine. Always be fully present, there with God, telling Him all you need to say while fully experiencing the power of His presence.
About the Author:
Corine Williams, Ph.D. is Clinical Psychologist that is currently seeing clients in the States of Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. You can find out more about her practice by visiting www.therapyforchristians.com/corinewilliams. In addition to providing individual therapy, Dr. Williams is also passionate about writing books and designing merchandise that educate, uplift, and normalize mental health subject in the Christian community. You can find out more about her at www.booksbycorine.com or by visiting her amazon profile here: https://www.amazon.com/Corine-Hyman/e/B00AWZ5FL2
Help us increase mental health awareness in the Christian community by donating through our paypal link here: www.paypal.com/therapyforchristians, joining our mailing list by clicking below, or join our provider list here: Provider listing
Disclaimer: the information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this article are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are looking for a Christian counselor near you, please check out our directory located here: Christians Therapist Near Me
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