The ACTS Pattern
One structure for prayer is given by the acronym "ACTS", representing adoration,
confession, thanksgiving and supplication (or intercession.) This is one order,
where we start off focusing on who God is, and praising him for that. Others find a CATS
pattern helpful, beginning by clearing out of the way the things that sadden God in our
lives, before we can go onto praise him. Let's look briefly at each in turn : Adoration is to adore God, to worship
him and to fulfil the commandment to love him with all of our heart, mind and soul. As we
spend time in adoration, we praise God for who He is - our Creator, our Sustainer and our
Redeemer.
Confession allows us to
clear away the things in the relationship between you and God which are displeasing to
Him. All of us have sinned. St John writes in his epistle "If we claim to be
without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he
is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all
unrighteousness." (I Jn 1:8,9)
Thanksgiving. From
childhood we are brought up to say "Thank You" when someone does something for
us, or gives us a gift. Each moment God is blessing us, every minute we can recall
the wonderful things that God has done for us, and the gifts that we have been given. And
so, we need to be constantly thanking God for his blessings. In writing to Timothy, Paul
makes it clear that we also need to be giving thanks for everyday, worldly things " I urge, then, first of all, that
requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone for
kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all
godliness and holiness." 1 Tim 2:1.
Supplication or
Intercession. Finally we come to ask God for our needs and the needs of others.
There are many demands on our prayer time - many topics and issues that we could pray for,
so we need to choose, and to be specific.
Pray for others. In the epistles of St
Paul, we read of him praying for those he has led to faith, and asking them also to pray
for him. So, you too can pray for other Christians, and encourage them to pray for you.
Pray for your familiy members, and for neighbours and friends. It's also good to pray for
those who don't know Jesus to come to faith - many Christians have come to believe in
Christ through the prayers of others.
Pray for world issues : for peace in
difficult situations, for leaders and those in influential positions, for global issues
such as care of God's environment, justice for the poor, relief of suffering in less
developed countries, and other issues that come to you.
Pray for your own needs too. It's easy to
neglect this, but Jesus encourages us to do so in the Lord's Prayer - the model for prayer
that He gave us.
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