In my last post on prayer, I shared one model of how I like to go to God daily in contemplative/meditative prayer. Today, I want to share with you another model of individual or family prayer. I learned this model as a young child, and I think it is very helpful when seeking God in desperate times, or even just in need of His help.
This prayer method is called the ACTS prayer model. The word ACTS is an acronym for the words, Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.
Sometimes, I think people who have been a follower of Christ for a long time, get a place that they think it is petty to pray for material or physical needs. I think, our thought process is “I should be more responsible, a better steward, or just holier, and beyond asking for basic needs in prayer.” This is a dangerous thought process, and a lie. Because it places a great deal of responsibility on our self, and a sense of pride or lack of worthiness, depending on how our life is going.
The Bible clearly tells us that God wants and desires that we bring our needs and our desires to Him in prayer.
A few verses that come to mind that say this:
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved” –Psalms 55:22
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Yeshua speaking in Matthew 11:28-29
“Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart”. -Psalms 37:4
…”do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”- Philippians 4:6-7
This last verse, Philippians 4:6-7 is where the model for the ACTS prayer comes from. Here is the outline:
ACTS Prayer Model
Adoration – Praise God for who He is
Confession – Confess your sins, shortcomings, failures, lack of trust to God, and accept His forgiveness through His Son, Yeshua Messiah.
Thanksgiving – Thank God for everything He has done, is doing ,and will do, specifically in your personal life.
Supplication – Present your requests to God.
There is a time to come to God in all our realness. He knows us, He knows what makes us worry. He knows what causes us anxiety, and even fear. He knows our needs, hopes, dreams, desires, and wants. He also knows our failures and mistakes. I don’t believe that every prayer should be all about self. But, there is a time and place to go to God and really lay it all down.
What will happen when we hold in all those things that we are feeling, physically and emotionally? We become self-centered, we become full of shame, pride, or guilt. When we focus on our shortcomings and failures, we think we are not good enough for God. We think we deserve less than His best for us. When we focus on our mistakes, we limit God’s ability to grow and heal us.
When we focus on our needs and wants, but don’t bring them to God to provide for us, we become controlling and see ourselves as the one who must provide and solve all our problems.
But, when we take the advice of Paul in the letter he wrote to the church in Thessalonica, we can turn our worries into hope(1 Thessalonians 4:13-14) . We can turn our shame into forgiveness. We can turn our doubt into faith. We can turn our need for control into peace and trust. When we come to God in prayer, in sincerity and authenticity, we grow in our relationship with Him, and His Spirit shows us the path to peace.
So, today, as I sit and take my own advice, here is my prayer…
Abba Father,
I know you are in control. You hold the universe in Your hands. You created me and all that is in this world. You are Sovereign, Loving, Faithful, Holy, Just, and Forgiving. I confess I have not always placed my trust in you. I have tried to control my circumstances and those around me at times, because of my own insecurities. I confess that I loss my temper and say and do things that do not glorify You and Your Name. Please forgive me, and help me to walk in forgiveness. I do not want to be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving I bring my requests to be made known to You, God Almighty. Please fill me with Your peace, Oh, God, which surpasses all understanding, let it guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.
Lord, I specifically ask that You work in our financial situation. Show us how to wait patiently on You, and to also be purposeful in the works of our hands to bring glory to Your Name and Your Kingdom.
Help me and my family to seek Your Kingdom and Your Righteousness, make us to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in Your work OH Lord, knowing that in You our labor is not in vain. (Matthew 6:33, 1 Corinthians 15:58)
Give us clear answers and guidance. Amen
I hope that sharing my personal prayer with you today, while help you be bold before God’s throne in prayer too.
Here are a few other passages that came to me as I prayed today:
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