Prayer guide

One of the ways you can guide your prayer is the simple acrostic: A.C.T.S. Each of the letters in this acrostic stands for one of the key elements of prayer. Not only does this acrostic remind us of the elements of prayer, it orders the priority of our prayers.

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1. Adoration

The first element of prayer should be adoration, or praise. 
 

Praise God for who He is.
Here are some suggestions that may help you in this time of adoration.

Ask yourself, what attributes of God can you specifically praise Him for today?
Spend time just adoring the goodness of God, express that to Him in your own words. 
Use a psalm of praise to guide your prayer of adoration.
 

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2. Confession

Second, prayer should include confession of our sin; as we remember who we are when we come into God's presence, we see that we have come short of His holiness and have need of His forgiveness.

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Acknowledge who you are.
Here are some suggestions that may help you in this time of confession. 

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If you were to stand before God right now, what immediately comes to mind that you would be ashamed of having done as you stand in His presence?
As you reflect over the day (or previous day), in what ways have you failed to love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength?
In what ways have you failed to love your neighbor as yourself?
Use a psalm of confession to guide your prayer of confession.

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3. Thanksgiving

Third, when we pray, we should always give thanks, remembering the grace and mercy God has shown toward us.​

Express gratitude that such a Holy God would be gracious and merciful to a sinner like you.
Here are some suggestions that may help you in this time of thanksgiving.

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Having confessed your sin, thank God that his mercy is greater than our sin.
Rehearse the gospel and thank God for the particulars of salvation in Jesus Christ. (Forgiveness, reconciliation, adoption, etc...)
​​​Spend time going over the day (or the previous day) and praise Him for the way you have seen Him move in your life. 
Make a list of all the things you are thankful for, holding each one up to the Father and expressing your gratitude.

​Use a psalm of thanksgiving to guide your prayer of thanksgiving.

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4. Supplication

Fourth, prayer rightly includes supplication or petition, bringing our requests for the needs of others and ourselves to God.

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Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father, apart from Him we can do nothing. What do you need God to do in your life or the lives of those around you?

Here are some suggestions that may help you in this time of supplication.

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Where do I need strength to walk in the Spirit?
What do I need God to do that only God can do?
What needs do those around me have?

This acrostic is a helpful tool, but make sure that it does not become a mere checklist for your prayers. Genuine prayer is a heartfelt conversation with the loving Father, possible because of His Son Jesus Christ, and perfected through the power of His Holy Spirit. Make sure to spend time in His word, listening to His voice as a regular part of your prayers. 

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