The ACTS of Prayer
I know that this has been used by many people over many years. I am not sure where I learned this, or from whom, but it has been very helpful in my spiritual growth and I wanted to share the way I use it. The ACTS of Prayer is an acronym that represents a plan for praying. Following this simple plan can help develop a prayer life that is intentional and is consistent with Jesus’ teaching about prayer. When using the ACTS of prayer, go through each letter and focus on its meaning while talking and listening to God. See the descriptions below. A- Adoration is praising and exalting God for who He is and what He has done. This is a time to think about God’s goodness and righteousness and focus on Him alone. Psalm 100:1-5 (HCSB) Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. 3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God. He made us, and we are His — His people, the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. 5 For the Lord is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations. C- Confession is admitting to God and that we have fallen short of His standard. During this time, we should ask God to bring to mind anything that we have done or failed to do that stands in the way of our relationship with Him. We also need to ask God to forgive us of these things and restore us to a strong and steadfast spiritual walk. Here is a guide that can help with confession: Forgiveness Mark 11:25-26 - Are you guilty of the sin of unforgiveness? Who do you need to forgive? Humility Romans 12:3 - In what ways might your life not reflect humility? Hope Romans 15:13 Have you lost hope? Do you need to repent of the sin of hopelessness and turn toward God in faith? Impartiality James 2:1-4 - Have you committed the sin of partiality? Do you show favoritism based on outer characteristics such as finances, race, gender, etc. Self-control 1 Peter 1:13 - In what areas of life do you need to ask God to help you establish greater self-control? Faithfulness Luke 16:10 – Have you committed the sin of faithlessness? In what ways do you need to be more faithful? Mercy James 3:17-18 - Have you been unmerciful: with family members, co-workers, other drivers on the road? Anger Matthew 5:21-26 – Have you nurtured the sin of anger? Ask God to help you overcome this anger and live in peace with others and with God. Lust Matthew 5:27-30 – Jesus warned against the sin of lust. Ask God to forgive any lustful thoughts or actions that keep you from fully enjoying your relationship with Jesus. Coveting James 4:1-3 – Do you covet what you do not have? Ask God to release you from this sin and help you focus your heart and mind on Him. 1 John 1:8-9 (HCSB) If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. T- Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate the blessings of God in our lives. A great way to give thanks is to recall specific things in our lives for which we can be thankful. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (HCSB) Rejoice always! 17 Pray constantly. 18 Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. S- Supplication is a time to bring our requests and petitions before God. Philippians 4:6-7 (HCSB) Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Christian meditation (thinking deeply on Scripture) is "the missing link between Bible intake and prayer." George Müller, known to be a great man of prayer in 19th Century England was said to know the secret to powerful prayer. Müller's claimed that if there was a "secret" to His prayer life, it was his discovery of the connection between meditation on Scripture and prayer.
Donald S. Whitney, "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" God encouraged His people to meditate on His word so their hearts would be turned toward Him and their minds focused on His agenda. Practicing Scripture meditation will have a powerful impact on a person’s prayer life. Below are some Scripture passages to encourage meditating on God’s word. Joshua 1:8 (HCSB) This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night, so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. Psalm 119:15-16 (HCSB) I will meditate on Your precepts and think about Your ways. 16 I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. Psalm 1:1-3 (HCSB) How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join a group of mockers! 2 Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. How to Meditate on Scripture Meditating on Scripture involves focusing on a particular Scripture passage in order to fill one’s mind with God’s word and truth. Donald Whitney, in Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life suggests the following guidelines for meditating on Scripture. 1. Select an appropriate passage. (see below) 2. Reread the passage several times while emphasizing different parts. 3. Say or write the passage in your own words. When meditating on longer passages, divide them into smaller units to make rewording more manageable. 4. Spend time reflecting on how this passage might apply to your life. 5. Pray through the passage as God brings insights, needs, and discernment into your mind. 6. Take your time--allow the words of the passage to soak into your mind and heart. Example Scripture Passages for Meditation Genesis 1:26-31 Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Micah 6:8 John 1:1-3 Romans 5:1-2 Romans 5:6-8 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 1 John 1:1-4 |
Tony HoffmanCampus Pastor at First Baptist Church in Leesburg, FL where his passion is to help people discover and live out their calling in Christ. Tony regularly consults, speaks, and teaches about discipleship and Christian education. Archives
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