How to pray

A simple way to pray: A.C.T.S.

Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. A pattern many people have prayed for years.

This is a simple outline to keep your mind from wandering. Spend a minute or two on each part. You can use it in the guided prayer in your prayer journal, which walks you through these four steps and then through your own list.

  1. Adoration: who God is

    Start by praising God for who he is, not for what he does for you. Name something true about him: he is good, faithful, holy, near, patient. Say it out loud.

    Example: Lord, you are good. You are faithful, even when I am not. You are bigger than anything I am facing.

  2. Confession: telling the truth

    Be honest about where you have fallen short in thought, word or deed. You do not need fancy words. Name it, agree with God about it, and receive his forgiveness.

    Example: Father, I was impatient and unkind. I am sorry. Thank you that in Jesus I am forgiven.

  3. Thanksgiving: what God has given

    Thank God for specific things: people, provision, a hard thing that taught you something, an answered prayer. Gratitude changes how everything looks.

    Example: Thank you for my family, for work, for the sunrise this morning, and for how you carried me last month.

  4. Supplication: bringing your requests

    Now bring your needs and the needs of others. Be specific and be honest. Jesus invites you to ask.

    Example: Please be with my friend in the hospital. Give me wisdom about this decision. Help me to love well today.

Read and pray these

1A praise psalm by David. I will exalt you, my God, the King. I will praise your name forever and ever. 2Every day I will praise you. I will extol your name forever and ever. 3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised! His greatness is unsearchable. 4One generation will commend your works to another, and will declare your mighty acts. 5I will meditate on the glorious majesty of your honor, on your wondrous works.
Psalm 145:1-5 (WEB)
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 (WEB)
4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, and bless his name. 5For the LORD is good. His loving kindness endures forever, his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100:4-5 (WEB)
6In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (WEB)

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible (WEB), public domain.

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