A Prayer Journey Through ACTS

I don’t know about you, but I am constantly putting notes and special papers inside my Bible I intend to get back to and never seem to see them again.  I was cleaning out my Bible the other day and came across a slip of paper with “A.C.T.S.” written on it.  As always, God’s timing is perfect!  

While I have been fairly consistent with my 20 minutes a day with God, my prayer life just hasn’t been what where it should.  I felt like I was always asking God for something, yet never giving back to Him in return.  A.C.T.S. was just what I needed to refresh my prayer life.

*A.C.T.S. is an easy way to remember key elements of prayer. It’s simply prayer in four parts:

Adoration – “Praise be to God!” -Psalms 68:35
Tell God how much you appreciate Him. Express your love for Him. Praise His power and majesty. This is a great way to begin your prayer time.

Confession – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” -1 John 1:9
Tell Him where you have fallen short. Be specific. Thank Him for the forgiveness you have in Christ, and ask for help and strength to turn away from future temptations.

Thanksgiving – Always “glorify him with thanksgiving” -Psalms 69:30
We have plenty of reasons to be thankful. Thank God for His love, His faithfulness, and His patience. Express gratitude for what He’s doing in your life. Thank Jesus for dying on the cross for you. Thank the Holy Spirit for indwelling you and never leaving. Thank Him for being your conscience, your counselor, and that “still small voice.”

Supplication – “Make your requests known to God.” -Philippians 4:6
Tell God what you want, no matter how small it seems to you. Do you really think any of your requests are too big to God the Creator?

Why don’t you give it a try?

Susan

*Excerpted in part from Prayer Central