A.C.T.S. - A Model for Prayer

A.C.T.S. is an acronym for a model of prayer that offers to God our adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication. It is often difficult to pray. Perhaps we don't really know how to pray. Sometimes we may not feel we're "qualified" to pray, or we feel we don't have the right to pray for some reason. Using the ACTS model for prayer, it will be very easy to pray, even if you've never really prayed in the past. ACTS praying doesn't require any great knowledge of or study about prayer, but praying in this way is personal, effective, and powerful.

This method of prayer is ideal even for young children with a limited vocabulary or for those inexperienced at prayer. Seasoned prayers can use it too. There are many references to the various elements of ACTS prayer in the Bible, so we can be assured it is proper and appropriate to follow this model. In Philippians chapter 4, verse 6, the apostle Paul writes, "Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Paul's letter to his student and friend, Timothy, states, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [1 Timothy 2:1].

Adoration

The first component of this prayer model is adoration. Everyone likes to be complimented and praised! God is no different in that regard. He is deserving of your praise, and it pleases God to hear us offer words of adoration. When offering praise, be specific. "You're so wonderful" is a nice thing to say, but it doesn't reveal why we think God is wonderful. Praying, "God your mercy and love toward me is wonderful" lets God know exactly what we're feeling.

Confession

We've all heard the expression, "Confession is good for the soul." Our sin(s) is what separates us from God. Confessing our sins in prayer before God clears the way for a deeper relationship with God. Yes, He already knows our sins. But our confession demonstrates our own self-awareness and our desire to remove any barriers to our relationship. "God, I have sinned against you by ____________." We don't have to be elaborate, just truthful and to the point.

Thanksgiving

What are you thankful for? Let God know, as if you were thanking a friend who is always there for you. "Thank you, God, for forgiving me, and loving me in spite of my sinfulness," is a simple, yet to the point way to pray this part of our model. There is no need to expound any further unless you're feeling especially blessed, and wish to list in detail those aspects of your life for which you're thankful.

Supplication

Supplication means to plead humbly, and is the final component of our prayer model. We have expressed our adoration, confessed our sins and expressed our thankfulness. Now we are ready to approach God with our request. In my case, a frequent supplication is "please help me be a better person." When you pray, you may request something specific as well. There's nothing wrong with asking God for exactly what we want. Matthew 21:22 assures us, "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."

ACTS is a good model to use as we prepare to pray. The ACTS acronym helps us remember what we want to say to God. Our ACTS prayers may be very detailed and lengthy. ACTS can also be very simple, and to the point. What is more important than the model or technique we use, though, is that we simply pray.