26th June 2024
A.C.T.S
This is the thirteenth in a series of studies on the subject of prayer
…pray continually… 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIVUK)
Paul’s pithy command to ‘pray continually’, or ‘pray without ceasing’ (ESV), or ‘Never stop praying’ (NLT) is easy to say but more difficult to put into practice. While prayer shouldn’t be formulaic, over the years I’ve benefited from some structure to praying. One such approach is known as ‘A.C.T.S.’
A – is for Adoration: praising God for who he is, all he has done, all he is doing, and will do, not only in our lives but in the life of the church and in the wider world. The Psalmist says, ‘Proclaim with me the Lord‘s greatness; let us praise his name together!’ (Psalm 34:3 GNT). It’s an opportunity to acknowledge that God is love, holy, righteous, gracious, merciful, fair, tender, and forgiving. He has given us his Son and the Holy Spirit and is most worthy of praise.
C – is for Confession: admitting where we have fallen short and seeking forgiveness from a forgiving God and restoration from a gracious God, knowing that we have assurance of God’s forgiveness for confessed sin. As John tells us, ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.’ (1 John 1:9 NIVUK).
T – is for Thanksgiving: gratitude is a distinctive attitude of the followers of Jesus. It means praying with our eyes open so we can see all the good things in our lives. When we consider both God’s physical and spiritual provision in our lives, it should help us to avoid being covetous and lead to our thanking God. It is not a coincidence that Paul’s command to ‘pray continually’ is immediately followed by ‘give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus’ (1 Thessalonians 5:18), because as he tells us, ‘…ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.’ (Philippians 4:6 GNT).
S – is for Supplication: praying for the needs of others and our own needs. I’m glad this comes last in this approach to prayer, because it’s only after we have praised God, confessed our failings and thanked him for all the good things in our life that we come to him with our requests. When we ask for things it doesn’t mean we are telling God how to deal with our life or other people’s lives, but rather we are inviting God to intervene, secure in the knowledge that he is in control and has our best interests at heart. As James points out, ‘…You do not have because you do not ask God.’ (James 4:2 NIVUK).
When we pray through these specific areas it can feel like a weight has been taken off our shoulders. Peter tells us to ‘Cast all your anxiety on [God] because he cares for you.’ (1 Peter 5:7). When we pray, we are turning everything over to God, and once that is done, we can confidently leave all things with him and live ours with assurance and peace.
Prayer
Loving Father, we praise your great name for there is no one like you. We acknowledge when we have let you down in thought and deed, and thank you for all the good things in our lives. Please help us to be prayerfully minded in all circumstances, in Jesus’s name, Amen.
Study by Barry Robinson
About the writer:
Barry Robinson is a minister in Grace Communion International and Regional Pastor for Southern England, the Midlands, and Wales
Local congregation:
Grace Communion West Hampstead
Sidings Community Centre
150 Brassey Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BA
Meeting time:
Sunday 12.30 pm
Local congregational contact:
Gordon Brown
gordon.brown@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church