Prayer is more than just talking to God—it’s a conversation, a sacred connection that deepens our relationship with Him. But like any meaningful conversation, prayer has a rhythm and flow. One way to structure your prayers is through the ACTS method: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. Let’s take a deeper look at each component and how it can transform your prayer life.
Adoration: Recognizing Who God Is
When you walk into a room and greet someone, you typically acknowledge them first—whether with a “hello,” “good morning,” or a nod of recognition. Similarly, when we enter into prayer, we should begin with adoration. This is the moment to recognize God for who He is, to worship and praise Him before bringing our requests.
God is holy, sovereign, and all-powerful. When we take time to recount His attributes—His goodness, His faithfulness, His mercy—it shifts our perspective. We’re reminded that we are speaking to the Almighty, the Beginning and the End, the One who holds everything together.
Taking time to adore God can even change what we planned to pray for. When we acknowledge His greatness, some of our worries may seem smaller in comparison, and our hearts align more with His will.
Confession: Being Honest with God
Every deep relationship requires honesty. Surface-level conversations don’t build trust; vulnerability does. The same applies to prayer. Confession is about going beyond the routine and being real with God about our struggles, failures, and weaknesses.
David exemplifies this in the Psalms, where he pours out his heart to God. Confession isn’t just admitting wrongdoing—it’s agreeing with God about our condition. It’s saying, “Yes, Lord, I messed up. I need Your forgiveness and guidance.” It also includes acknowledging the hurt we’ve experienced from others and seeking healing and wisdom on how to respond.
Confession leads to repentance, a turning away from sin and a step toward transformation. It’s in these moments of raw honesty that we experience the depth of God’s grace.
Thanksgiving: Cultivating Gratitude
Imagine having a conversation where the other person only talks about themselves, never acknowledging anything you’ve done. It wouldn’t feel great, would it? Yet, sometimes our prayers become just that—a list of demands without taking time to thank God for what He has already done.
Gratitude changes our outlook. When we count our blessings, we become aware of how much we’ve received. Thank God for the breath in your lungs, for a roof over your head, for another day to experience His love. Thank Him for His provision, even when times are tough. Gratitude isn’t just about acknowledging what we have—it’s recognizing that all we have is from Him.
Supplication: Bringing Our Requests to God
Supplication means bringing our needs and desires before God. It’s an essential part of prayer, but often, it’s the only part we focus on. While God wants us to present our requests to Him, He also wants us to seek a balanced prayer life—one that includes adoration, confession, and thanksgiving.
When we do bring our requests, we do so in faith, trusting that God hears us. Supplication isn’t just about personal needs; it also includes intercession—praying on behalf of others. Interceding for someone’s healing, salvation, or breakthrough is a powerful act of love.
Intercession: Standing in the Gap
Intercession is a vital form of prayer where we pray on behalf of others, asking God to intervene in their lives. We see powerful examples of intercession in Scripture, such as when Abraham pleaded with God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if even ten righteous people were found there. His prayers mattered, even though the city ultimately faced judgment.
Interceding requires faith because we often don’t see immediate results. But prayer isn’t based on what we see—it’s based on trust in God’s power and goodness. Whether you’re praying for a loved one’s salvation, someone’s healing, or guidance in a difficult situation, intercession is an act of love and faith that invites God to move in powerful ways.
A Balanced Approach to Prayer
The ACTS method isn’t a rigid formula but a guide to help structure our prayers. If we focus only on requests, we miss out on the depth of connection that prayer offers. When we incorporate adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication, our prayer life becomes richer, more intimate, and more transformative.
So the next time you pray, take a moment to acknowledge God’s greatness, be honest with Him, express gratitude, and then bring your requests. You might just find that your time in prayer becomes more fulfilling and powerful than ever before.