6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6, 7, NASB).
We hear from God through His Word, the Bible. God delights to hear from us through our prayers.
What is prayer? Prayer is simply talking to God. The A.C.T.S. Prayer Structure (an acrostic) helps followers of Jesus to focus on several important aspects of prayer. It’s an easy to follow guide providing order and balance.
Adoration
Express praise to God for who He is: His character and nature. This beginning step emphasizes personal worship of the Lord. Feel free to sing verses from a hymn or chorus. Or, you could read a Bible verse or passage back to God, praising His name and attributes.
Confession
Confession involves agreeing with God when you have disobeyed Him. It’s admitting any sin or disobedience in your life that you know about and haven’t previously confessed. Ask for His forgiveness. [Note: If no sins or shortcomings come to mind, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything displeasing to God in your life.]
Thanksgiving
Give thanks to the Lord for all the wonderful things He has done. Thank Him for loving you, meeting your needs, and answering you. Also, you can express thanks to Him for what He has done for others.
Supplication
Pray for your current needs/requests along with the needs/requests of others. Also, you can pray for your church, country, and God’s works around the world.
As you begin this prayer method, try to spend a minute or two on each section.
Pastor Cecil Price