As Christians, we understand how important prayer is. We know God is in control. We are told to make our requests known to him. As children, we were given simple prayers. “I pray the Lord my soul to keep.” “Bless this food.” “Our Father who art in heaven.” We could recite these prayers when we didn’t know what else to say. Somewhere near the beginning of my adult Christian life I was given the A.C.T.S. method of prayer as a way of remembering and making my prayers complete. You may have used it.

• A – Adoration
  
• C – Confession
  
• T – Thanksgiving
  
• S – Supplication

I didn't fully understand the worth of the pattern.

I followed the pattern dutifully for a while. Then, as life became busy, and as I continued to study the Bible, learning more about God, I sometimes shortened prayer time. I became confident in my ability to pray. I began to rely on my Bible knowledge, my faith in Christ—and myself. While they were heartfelt, my prayers left little room for God’s Holy Spirit.

It’s time I revisited A.C.T.S. because powerful prayer depends on more than my ability. It’s entering into God’s presence through right understanding. It isn’t my faith, knowledge or desire that brings answers. Answered prayer comes by God’s power.

• A—I’ve found I have to do more than remember who God is. I have to state who he is. I need to be reminded through speaking and hearing the words. He is Creator, All Powerful, Soveriegn, Accessible, Wise, Generous, Patient, Love, Merciful, Righteous…. He is close. He will never leave me.


• C—I need to remember who I am. I tend to forget that I am fallen and sinful. I am not god of any part of life. I sin against God and against my fellow man every time I fall into worldly habits. It’s important I take time to consider my day—my actions, words, and thoughts.


• T—I need reminded of God’s goodness. I am saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. God has forgiven my sin. He has given me what I’ve done nothing to deserve - eternal life. He doesn’t give me what I deserve—death—an eternity of not being able to enter his presence. He has provided abundant blessing in the new life he’s given.


• S—I have requests, needs, wants. Only when I’ve returned God to his rightful place in my life, when I’m focused on the Almighty God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, am I ready to present those requests. When I’m focused on the Power not the problem. And while focused on God the Father I realize I want only his will, not mine.

This quotation touched my heart. I hope it does yours.

“Yet for all God’s good will toward us He is unable to grant us our heart’s desires till all our desires have been reduced to one.”

Quote from Prayer – Communing with God in Everything – Collected Insights from A.W. Tozer
Compiled by W.L. Seaver

Find this book on Amazon.com. Prayer: Communing with God in Everything--Collected Insights from A. W. Tozer

To read more by Lynne Waite Chapman go to Lynne Chapman's author website