If your mind wanders during prayer or you feel like you are constantly praying for the same things, then you can benefit from adopting a prayer structure like the ACTS prayer model. ACTS stands for adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication. This model sharpens your focus during your pray time by giving you an agenda to focus upon while praying. Also, you will expand your prayer vocabulary when you start regularly praying four distinct types of prayer.
Begin the ACTS prayer by lifting up to God words of adoration. Adoration is simply praising God. I specifically lift up three forms of praise when I am adoring God. I tell God, "I love you, Lord." I praise God for who God is. For example, "God, You are mighty, holy and good. You are patient and your love endures forever." Lastly, I praise God for what God does. For example, "God, You love the unlovable. You find and redeem those who are lost. For your lovingkindness I praise You, O God."
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 second step of the ACTS prayer is to confess your sins for what you have done wrong. Being specific and honest about your sin will greatly increase your odds of changing your behavior. Try to avoid being too general. For example, rather than saying, "God I haven't been as loving as I should be." say, "God I speak about Janet behind her back which is nothing more than gossip. I know this is wrong. Please forgive me and help me to change."
Next, thank God. Consider the many blessings you have had throughout the day. Also, think about ongoing blessings, such as, friends, family, health and the talents or abilities God has given to you. With a grateful heart, lift these blessings up to God vividly.
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 lifting up to God words of adoration. Adoration is simply praising God. I specifically lift up three forms of praise when I am adoring God. I tell God, "I love you, Lord." I praise God for who God is. For example, "God, You are mighty, holy and good. You are patient and your love endures forever." Lastly, I praise God for what God does. For example, "God, You love the unlovable. You find and redeem those who are lost. For your lovingkindness I praise You, O God."
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 second step of the ACTS prayer is to confess your sins for what you have done wrong. Being specific and honest about your sin will greatly increase your odds of changing your behavior. Try to avoid being too general. For example, rather than saying, "God I haven't been as loving as I should be." say, "God I speak about Janet behind her back which is nothing more than gossip. I know this is wrong. Please forgive me and help me to change."
Next, thank God. Consider the many blessings you have had throughout the day. Also, think about ongoing blessings, such as, friends, family, health and the talents or abilities God has given to you. With a grateful heart, lift these blessings up to God vividly.
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.
About the Author:
Find out more about the Acts Prayer, by visiting John Arnold's site. For your online discipleship needs, you can't beat John's tips, tools and training.