A. C. T. S.

One structure for prayer is given by the acronym

"A.C.T.S."

 

 Prayer through Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication

A:  Adoration  (Worship)


C:  Confession (of SIN, be specific)


T:   Thanksgiving (Gratitude)


S:  Supplication (Specific Requests) 
      Seeking for self, others and 


                             S is also for Surrender
 

Adoration:

Jesus puts things in perspective for us when he taught us how to pray, which begins, "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name" (Matthew 6:9).

First we are to adore God, worship him, and fulfill the commandment. . . to love him with all our heart, mind, and soul.  A good example of this type of adoration is found in (Psalm 95:1-7). When we take time to praise and worship God in our prayers, we are placing God where He rightfully belongs.  
 

Confession: 

The closer we are to God, the more we recognize our own sins.

The confession of our sin removes any barriers and clears the air of anything that would cause God not to hear our prayers. As (1 John 1:9) says, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us".  This is, once again, modeled in (Matthew 6:12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 

Thanksgiving:

From childhood we are thought to say "Thank You" after some one gives us or does something for us, therefore our immediate response after confession is thanksgiving.

We should be thankful that God indeed cleanses and forgives us. We should give thanks, simply because God deserves our praise. (Psalm 118:1) says, "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For his mercy endures forever." We should give thanks, we should express gratitude for what we have, what God has done and will do for us.  Give thanks for everything and anything, everyday.   

Supplication:

God wants to hear our needs and requests . .  . Scripture tells us, "Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6-7).  Ask God for our needs and the needs of others. 

Do not neglect PRAYER
 
as this is a very important part of your Christian walk.

As someone has said,


"Prayer is the breath of the newborn soul, and there can be no

Christian life without it."