The a.c.t.s. of prayer

            Luke’s gospel records that an unnamed disciple came to Jesus making this request:  “Lord, teach us to pray…” (Lk.11:1).  What fol-lows is what is commonly referred to as, “The Lord’s Prayer”.  It provides a model for praying - - it’s not a prayer that is designed to be spoken verbatim in rote fashion.  It’s brevity is noteworthy - - it can be spoken in less than thirty seconds.  Like a sermon, a prayer need not be everlasting in order to efficacious (and Biblical).  Yet hidden within the concise lines of this God-given example are key elements that will serve to guide our prayer life.  Adoration.  Our prayers need to be undergirded with praise to God (Ps.92:1).  Confession.  When we draw near God’s throne we’re reminded of our own sinfulness (Ps.51:1-3).  When we confess, God is eager to forgive (1Jn.1:9).

Thanksgiving.  “Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise, that is, lips that give thanks to His name” (Heb.13:15).  And last but not least, Supplication.  “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps.46:1).  We are privileged to pray for saints and sinners - - and for ourselves.  God invites us to “ask in faith without any doubting” (Js.1:6).  Yet our prayers must not always be about us. 

            These are fundamental A.C.T.S. of prayer.  Not every single prayer is required to simultaneously contain all four of these ele-ments (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving & Supplication) in order to be acceptable to God.  However, if these ingredients are absent from our overall prayer life, then we need to make some serious adjustments.

                                                                                                                        Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ