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.
SOAP Scripture Reading Plan
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Your Bible
- A pen/pencil
- Your daily planner/Calendar
- A Bible reading plan – There are many plans available using You Version or you can just put a bookmark in your Bible as you read along
- A “SOAP Journal” (Can be any notebook, spiral bound or otherwise, with blank pages for writing… could even be done on the computer!)
Journaling is an excellent way to both record and process what God has spoken to us. It’s also a useful tool to use at a later time, to reflect on and review some of the ‘gems’ that you have received. Without writing them down, you may forget those blessings and some very important lessons!
Here’s how it works:
Scripture – Read the Scripture you have chosen for that day. If you are unsure how to start, You Version has many wonderful options. As you are reading through your Scripture, begin to underline or highlight verses that stick out, or really speak to you. Use a Bible that you feel comfortable marking up and making notes in. Don’t worry about summarizing anything at this point. Just let your spirit be open to God speaking to you through His Word. When you are finished reading your section of Scripture, skim back over it, and note the sections that you’ve underlined. What stands out to you the most? Where do you feel God really opened your eyes today? Whittle that down to a phrase or a verse or two of Scripture. In your Soap Journal, turn to a fresh page and put down today’s date. Under that write an “S” and write out the verse or portion of Scripture that spoke to you.Then make a note of the Biblical Reference.
Observation – Write down an “O” and then write things that you observed during your reading or study of today’s text. This can be as extensive as you want it to be. Perhaps you are accustomed to following cross-references in Scripture, or looking up historical information and the broader, situational context, or even just recognizing what’s happening in the preceding and following chapters and verses (immediate context) of the current book of the Bible you’re reading.
Application – Now write an “A” and then write how God is speaking to you personally through this verse. What is He saying that you need to hear? What is He saying that challenges you, or perhaps comforts or encourages you? This section in your journal simply helps you apply the verses of Scripture to your life and your current situation.
How Do I Get Involved?
Worship Ministry
Echo Youth Ministry
Echo offers a place for a teen to feel safe and yet also challenge them to know what they believe and why they believe it. Echo looks to empower teens to take ownership in their faith. Echo also provides different opportunities to grow deeper in the Word and to actively be a part of the Kingdom of God by being the hands and the feet of Christ in practical and real ways.
Young Adults
Life can get complicated once you cross that nebulous threshold into adulthood. There are complicated decisions. Bigger stakes. Serious relationships. And a whole lot more decisions. The young adult group of Grace Pointe provides a welcoming atmosphere for college and early-career aged young people. The young adult group also helps challenge what the world is teaching and point the way to the way, the truth and the life they should have in Jesus Christ.
Women’s Group
Grace Pointe Women’s Groups gives the ladies in our church family special times of interaction. Our women’s groups, located in several locations throughout our community, are times of Bible study, prayer (and, of course, food). These groups provide a refreshing discipleship opportunity for the women in the church.
Married Couples
Even though marriage is one of the most important institutions, it is the one which is under the most attack–internally and externally. Grace Pointe gives married couples the opportunity to join four-month long marriage classes ranging on topics from Marriage and Money, Getting Ready for Kids, Shepherding Children, Marriage and Sex.
Senior Adults
Once you get past fifty, the fun has just begin. Whether retired, just plain tired, or active as ever, the over-50 group of Grace Community provides refreshment, ministry, and times of valuable interaction. A mentoring ministry gives older believers a chance to meet with and help younger believers grow in Christ.
Greeters
Another greet way to get involved is by greeting the church body on Sunday morning. Our greeters are friendly and assist in helping people before the service starts. Some need help getting from their cars to the sanctuary or information on where to attend Sunday school. That’s what being a greeter is, providing assistance and a handshake with warm welcome. If you would like to become a greeter contact the office.