A.C.T.S. Prayer Guide
Adoration
Each day as you enter your payer time, listen to some good praise music; read a psalm that is praise oriented; sing or read to Him the words of your favorite praise chorus; or just tell God in your own words how marvelous and wonderful He is. There’s no right or wrong way to do this. Often, I will listen to my favorite worship song on You Tube. Just get into God’s presence by lifting Him up.
Confession
It is said that “confession is good for the soul.” Not only is confession good for the soul, it is essential in approaching a holy God in prayer. Consider the following scriptures:
- Psalm 34:15 – “The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry.”
- Proverbs 15:29 – “The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.”
- James 5:16 – “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”
- Matthew 5:23-24 — “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”
Sin prevents access to God. Think in terms of a parent/child relationship. When a disobedient child comes to a parent with a request for some type of pleasure, a wise and discerning parent will not grant any favors until the disobedience has been dealt with. You will get no further with God than an obedient and a pure heart.
The good news is that according to 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
God, if I have been disobedient to you in any way
since the last time we met, please reveal it to me.
Thanksgiving
Supplication
This is the place where you pray for the needs in your life whether they are yours or others. I have chosen a particular path I am comfortable with. You may adopt it for yourself or choose another way. They key is to find a way of praying for needs you are comfortable with. This is how I do it:
Monday – Prayers for family members and needs and for areas in which God is dealing with me, personally.
Tuesday – Praying for pastors around the country
Wednesday – Prayers for our church and people. I often use the church directory and work my way through a segment of the alphabet each week. This is also a weekly fasting day.
Thursday – Praying Scripture – If God has spoken to me through certain scriptures I have read, I will use Thursdays to pray them. There are some powerful prayers in Paul’s writing that I have prayed many times. Ephesians 1:15-18; Ephesians 3:14-19; Philippians 1:9-11; Colossians 1:9-12. Additionally, I have prayed the words of Philippians 2:5-11 for myself man times.
“Be Anxious for Nothing”
That encouragement is right from scripture (Philippians 4:6). So, if this plan seems a little overwhelming, don’t get anxious about whether you are doing it right or wrong. When my kids come to visit, I don’t care how they get there, what they’re wearing, or how they are feeling. I’m just glad to see them. It’s the same thing with Jesus. He is always glad you’ve taken time for Him, no matter what it looks like.