Perhaps the easiest way for someone to learn to pray effectively is a simple four step method known as A.C.T.S.
What Is A.C.T.S.?
A.C.T.S. embraces four major components of praying many have used to help structure their prayers. Each letter represents a type of prayer:
A - Adoration
C - Confession
T - Thanksgiving
S - Supplication
If you are new to praying and Bible study, you may wonder, “Is A.C.T.S. Biblically sound? Yes. I would not consider using it (and I have numerous times) if it was not straight from God's Word, let alone share it with you.
Adoration
It is not uncommon for a new believer to Christianity to pray only for wants and needs. I have been in a lot of Bible studies which seem to spotlight wants and needs, while down playing adoration and thanksgiving. So it is not surprising if you think this is all there is to praying, is to ask God to grant specific wants and needs. There isn't anything wrong with asking God for our needs and desires; the Almighty wants us to ask Him for specific wants and needs (material, spiritual and health).
But this is only one dimension of prayer. The other pieces are needed to balance our prayers and to increase the effectiveness of praying.
While God encourages us to bring all our wants and needs to Him, He also wants us to compliment Him out of a loving and sincere heart.
How Do We Learn to Do This?
The best way is to allow it to come naturally from your heart. (God has no use for insincerity.) But, don't misunderstand the word, “compliment”; because when we offer a prayer of adoration or praise it is or should be a true form of worship. God wants to know that we love Him. One way we show our love is by uttering words of praise, adoration, tribute. We exalt Him, to show Him our love and reverence.
Besides worshiping Him with our heart's inner voice, we can use spoken works like:
“You are Most Precious!”, “You are Awesome!”, and “You are My Life”. Certainly we can quote something we have read or heard, as long as it is how we feel, and we express these sentiments sincerely. For example, using verses from old traditional hymns as well as new worship and praise songs is a good way to offer praise to God. Consider these examples and then find yourself any song you want on the internet or in your local Christian music store.
The very popular old hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!
The first verse:
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning my song shall rise to Thee.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Merciful and Mighty
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity.
Another classic hymn of the Christian faith: Fairest Lord Jesus
First verse:
Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature
O Thou of God and man the Son.
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor
Thou my soul's glory, joy and crown.
Sometimes the old language of these grand old hymns proves cumbersome. Most of us prefer more contemporary language. If it is the “Thee” and the “Thou” which are keeping you from using these for prayer, just simply replace, “You are” for the Thou and “You” for the Thee.
Today's contemporary praise songs are dynamic: And are perfect for repeating as a prayer of praise. A few of my favorites:
Jesus, Name Above All Names
Jesus, Name above all names
Beautiful Savior, Glorious Lord
Emmanuel, God is with us.
Blessed Redeemer, Living Word.
All Hail King Jesus
All hail King Jesus!
All hail Emmanuel
King of kings, Lord of lords
Bright Morning Star
And throughout eternity
I'll sing your praises
And I'll reign with You
Throughout eternity.
I Love You, Lord
I love You, Lord
And I lift my voice
To worship You,
O my soul, rejoice.
Take joy my King
In what you hear
May it be a sweet, sweet sound
In Your ear.
There isn't any reason why you can't sing your praise prayer to the Lord. Go ahead put on a CD and sing along with a favorite hymn or praise song. Incidentally, I read just today in a health magazine at my dad's cardiologist office, that singing helps to reduce stress, and is heart healthy! Amen!
Another form of praying your praise to God, is to use a poem which conveys your deepest feelings for God. A couple examples, one an old poem and one a much newer poem.
Thou Art God (By David Adam - 20thCentury)
