THE ACTS PRAYER METHOD
I learned about the ACTS Prayer Method years ago and wanted to share it with you. Some of this post was actually originally written 2 years ago and posted on my old blog so if you have followed me for some time, you might recognize some of it!
This method is especially useful if you are a new believer and prayer seems kind of daunting or you just don’t know where to start!!
The ACTS acronym will help you remember each phase of your prayer time and it follows a logical order for prayer. The best part, it’s simple enough that even kids can follow it and make the most of their prayer time as well!This method is especially useful if you are a new believer and prayer seems kind of daunting or you just don’t know where to start!!
As I mentioned, this prayer method is based on the acronym ACTS. It stands for:
ADORATION
In the ACTS Prayer Method, we start off with the act of adoration and of praising God. We want to tell God how much we love Him and worship Him. There are many different ways to offer God praise.
- Praise Him for His Holiness
- Praise Him for His Grace and Mercy
- Give Him praise for His Love
- Praise Him for our salvation and the work of the cross
- Praise Him for His omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence
- Give Him praise for His faithfulness
- Praise Him for His healing
- Praise Him for His friendship
- Give Him Praise for His forgiveness
- Praise Him that He is coming again for us
You may even decide to use music to offer praise during this time! Whatever moves your heart in praise for Him is fine!
“But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house, At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.”
Psalm 5:7
CONFESSION
Before we launch into making supplication to God, we should confess those things we have done that not only sin against God but that we feel condemnation over.
It can be difficult for us to get into communion with the Lord if we feel any degree of condemnation or sinfulness.
That is why the ACTS Prayer Method places confession at this point!
This act of confession should lift that burden, knowing that if we confess our sins God forgives us. True repentance is a turning away from those things that are sinful.
It is more than just saying we are sorry. It is a willingness to change that behavior.
This is a time to open up and be honest with the Lord AND yourself about the things you have done to sin against Him or others, and how you plan to change those things. This is also a good time to ask Him for His help if it is an area you continuously struggle with.
Lay all your sins at the foot of the cross and ask for Him to forgive. Be confident that the blood of Jesus covers your sins and makes you white as snow.
Sometimes when we confess our sins we don’t FEEL forgiven. That is a lie the enemy wants us to believe and a burden he wants us to bear.
Know that you are! Your feelings will get in line with truth. The enemy wants you to feel condemnation. But you can rely on God’s truth!Sometimes when we confess our sins we don’t FEEL forgiven. That is a lie the enemy wants us to believe and a burden he wants us to bear. #spiritualwarfare #prayerCLICK TO TWEET
I love to pray God’s Word and a good scripture to pray if you are still feeling that sin burden is:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9
THANKSGIVING
Next in the ACTS Prayer Method, we should offer God thanks; for who He is, for what He has done for us, for forgiving us for falling short, and for all the blessings He has given us in our lives.
Thank Him for answered prayers. It is always a good idea to keep a prayer journal so that you can see where God has answered your prayers. And remember, a “No” is also an answer to prayer..just maybe not the answer you were looking for!
Thank Him for everything you can think of!No is also an answer to prayer! It just may not be the answer you were looking for! #prayer #trustingGodCLICK TO TWEET
For the struggles you are going through because it is through the struggles that God can show Himself to us the most.
Thank Him for your salvation, the salvation of friends and family. Thank Him that you woke up this morning! This is one of my favorite parts of prayer because many times we lose sight of just how blessed we really are. It is through thanksgiving that we can truly see how much God blesses us.
SUPPLICATION
Now it is time to tell God what your needs are. We as Christians have the right to come boldly before the throne of grace to ask for help in time of trouble.
Tell God what your needs are. Pray for your loved ones, friends or neighbors who are in need of prayer. Anything you need to speak to the Lord about, He is there to listen.
But part of my supplication stage also includes asking for Him to speak to me about anything He wants to share.
So I spend some time during this phase LISTENING to Him as much as I do talking to Him. It is during this time that God has given me some awesome insights and revelations.
Please do not skip that part of your prayer time. It is truly a two-way relationship. We don’t just talk AT our loved ones, we listen as well. We should do the same with God.
It seems silly to ask God for help in a situation and then walk away before He even has a chance to speak that help to us!
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
THE ACTS PRAYER METHOD – YOUR COMPASS TO FOLLOW
So this should give you a good framework and a compass to guide you. You will obviously mold it into what fits for you as time goes by, but this will give you a place to begin that will keep you focused during your prayer time.
Set a goal to make prayer a constant in your life!
As mentioned earlier, I highly recommend a prayer journal so you can write down what God speaks to you through your time with Him and also to help you recall those who need prayer. I also recommend a gratitude journal so you can recall all God has done for you and remember to thank Him for it.
I pray you will find this method helpful and rewarding!
