HOW TO PRAY WITH THE A.C.T.S. PRAYER MODEL

Keith O’Connor

Woodland Church

August 30, 2023

(Hebrews 4:16, NLT) “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”  

1. Adoration – Glorifying God 

(Ephesians 3:14-21, NLT) “When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.  Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.”  

(Psalm 8:1, ESV) “O Lord, our Lord,  how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens”  

(Isaiah 6:3, ESV) “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 

(Luke 1:46-48, ESV) “And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed”

2. Confession – Repenting to God 

(Proverbs 28:13, NLT) “People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy”  

(1 John 1:7, NLT) “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, HIs Son, cleanses us from sin”  

(Psalm 51:1-2, ESV) “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin”  

(Luke 18:11-12, NLT) “I thank you God, that I am not like other people, cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income”  

(Luke 18:13, NLT) “O’ God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner”  

(Luke 18:14, NLT) “Sinner (tax collector), not the Pharisee, returned home justified. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted”  

3. Thanksgiving – Expressing Gratitude to God 

(Ephesians 5:20, NLT) “And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”

(Colossians 4:2, NLT) “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart”  

(Thessalonians 5:17-18, NLT) “Never stop praying. Be thankful in ALL circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” 

(Matthew 26:27, NLT) “Took the cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, ‘Each of you drink from it”  

(1 Chronicles 16:8, NLT) “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.  Let the whole world know what he has done”  

4. Supplication – Making Requests to God 

(Philippians 4:6, ESV) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”  

(Philippians 4:7, ESV)  “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, that will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus ” 

(1 Timothy 2:1-2, ESV) “First of all, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way”  

(Ephesians 6:18, ESV) “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” 

Growthwork 

1. Read the Bible Daily  

(Psalm 119:105, ESV) “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”  

2. Immerse yourself in the Psalms  

(Psalm 1:1-2, NIV) “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night ” 

3. Set aside time for Prayer  

(Psalm 62:8, ESV) “Trust in him at all times, O people;  pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us”