Adopting a prayer model, such as the ACTS prayer, can be a great way to keep your mind from wandering while praying and broaden your prayer vocabulary. The acronym ACTS represents adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication. By giving you an agenda to focus on during prayer, the model helps sharpen your focus. Furthermore, praying the four different types of prayer will also push you to not always be constantly praying for the same things.
Begin the ACTS prayer by adoring God through words of praise. I do this by specifically lifting up three forms of praise. First, I tell God, "I love you, Lord." Then I honor God for who God is. For example, "Most Holy God, you are righteous, good and loving. You are the one and true God." Next, I praise God for God's deeds. For example, "God you opened a way for us to know you through your son Jesus Christ. You came and loved us despite or fear and sin and you continue to reveal yourself daily."
You might find yourself drawn toward moving into thanks. I would resist that urge when you are beginning to learn how the ACTS model. Thanks and praise are not identical, though they can be tightly related. If you disagree, try telling someone "I love you" and "thank you" and see if the response is the same. Pure praise is all about honoring the greatness of God and expressing your love for God.
The next step is to confess what you have done wrong and acknowledge it as sin. You will increase your odds of changing your behavior, if you strive to be honest and specific when confessing sins. Avoid generic confessions. Don't make generalizations, such as, "I am not as loving as I should be." Instead state specific sins, such as, "I have been talking about Lisa behind her back. This is hateful gossip. God I know this is wrong. I ask for your forgiveness and want your help to change."
After you confess, express thanks to God. Recall blessings that you may have experienced during the day. Also, be sure to lift up those blessing that are ongoing, such as, family, friends, health and the many gifts God has given to you. Tell God with a grateful heart how much these blessings have meant to you.
The last element of the ACTS prayer is supplication. Now it's time to share with God your concerns. Pray for the needs of others, as well as your own needs. Consider the example of the Apostle Paul who often prayed for people to grow into mature christians. Don't forget to spiritually intercede for people.
You may find that it takes you a few days to get use to praying the ACTS prayer model, so don't be too quick to judge its value. Pray the model for several weeks. If you make a sincere effort to faithfully pray daily in the four areas of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication, I have no doubt you will experience a meaningful transformation as a disciple. The ACTS prayer is a simple yet powerful prayer practice.
Begin the ACTS prayer by adoring God through words of praise. I do this by specifically lifting up three forms of praise. First, I tell God, "I love you, Lord." Then I honor God for who God is. For example, "Most Holy God, you are righteous, good and loving. You are the one and true God." Next, I praise God for God's deeds. For example, "God you opened a way for us to know you through your son Jesus Christ. You came and loved us despite or fear and sin and you continue to reveal yourself daily."
You might find yourself drawn toward moving into thanks. I would resist that urge when you are beginning to learn how the ACTS model. Thanks and praise are not identical, though they can be tightly related. If you disagree, try telling someone "I love you" and "thank you" and see if the response is the same. Pure praise is all about honoring the greatness of God and expressing your love for God.
The next step is to confess what you have done wrong and acknowledge it as sin. You will increase your odds of changing your behavior, if you strive to be honest and specific when confessing sins. Avoid generic confessions. Don't make generalizations, such as, "I am not as loving as I should be." Instead state specific sins, such as, "I have been talking about Lisa behind her back. This is hateful gossip. God I know this is wrong. I ask for your forgiveness and want your help to change."
After you confess, express thanks to God. Recall blessings that you may have experienced during the day. Also, be sure to lift up those blessing that are ongoing, such as, family, friends, health and the many gifts God has given to you. Tell God with a grateful heart how much these blessings have meant to you.
The last element of the ACTS prayer is supplication. Now it's time to share with God your concerns. Pray for the needs of others, as well as your own needs. Consider the example of the Apostle Paul who often prayed for people to grow into mature christians. Don't forget to spiritually intercede for people.
You may find that it takes you a few days to get use to praying the ACTS prayer model, so don't be too quick to judge its value. Pray the model for several weeks. If you make a sincere effort to faithfully pray daily in the four areas of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication, I have no doubt you will experience a meaningful transformation as a disciple. The ACTS prayer is a simple yet powerful prayer practice.
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