How to Pray (ACTS)

Co-authored by Josh Spurlock, MA, LPC, CST and Madeleine Flamiano

Last Updated: July 2, 2022 References

When you want to spend a moment with God in prayer, it can be tough to remember all the most important points to address. Here, we’ll discuss “ACTS,” an acronym for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. When you include all four of these steps in your prayer session, you’ll have honored the Lord. We'll walk you through 4 options to address each step of the ACTS prayer sequence.

Part 1

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A: Adoration

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Sing your praise to the Lord. Be vocal and enthusiastic about your love. Look through the hymns in your Bible and find the ones that uplift or inspire you. Focus on messages that express love for God. Whether you recite hymns or turn them into worshipful music, God will be glad that you sang from the heart.^{[1]
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- Pull inspiration from an old hymnal or craft your own original song.
- Use hymns as a starting point to write a poem of love for God.
- Recall that the Lord should be praised often and with enthusiasm: “Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.” (Psalm 96)
2
Pray a Psalm of worship. Clear your mind of all thoughts except the Lord’s glory and power—true worship happens when you concentrate only on your Creator. Reflect on the Psalms that inspire you the most, or open to a random page in a book of Psalms. Consider how the words you landed on teach you about revering the Lord.^{[2]
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- To testify to God’s power and worship the Lord, speak, chant, or study a Psalm.
- There are 105 Psalms, so a simple practice is to read one a day until you’ve finished your book of Psalms.
- Acknowledge the divine inspiration and guidance the Lord provides you: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
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3
Declare God’s powerful attributes. Think about what you know is true about the Lord. Ask yourself—when you reach out to your Creator, how is God made known to you? Close your eyes and reflect on all of the Lord’s amazing qualities. Then, announce God’s gifts, like omniscience, the ability to be all-knowing. As a worshiper, you’ll be closer to the Lord when you recognize all that God offers.^{[3]
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- Announce an attribute that only God has. For example, say, “The Lord is infinite and all-mighty.”
- Share an attribute that the Lord has taught you to develop within yourself. You might say, “God is kind and guides me to treat everyone I meet with care.”
- As inspiration, consider God’s revelation to Moses and the Israelites: “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” (Exodus 103:7)
4
Announce your Creator’s amazing acts. Look to Scripture and read about God's miracles. Also reflect on what the Lord made possible, like the beauty of life and the world around you. Celebrate extraordinary events that you’ve witnessed—for example, maybe your friend recovered from an illness. When you point out God's mercy and miracles, you cherish your Creator.^{[4]
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- Look for “nature miracles” in the Bible, like Jesus’ turning water into wine or multiplying food.
- Search for the way God moves people today, such as inspiring them to assist the needy.
- Take heart in the fact that your Savior can accomplish any act: “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

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C: Confession

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Share your weaknesses with the Lord. Reveal all of your stresses and struggles to your Savior. Open up your heart and tell God when you feel any pain, whether it’s physical or psychological. Also bring up any obstacles that make your current journey more difficult. When you are transparent about all your challenges, you surrender to God and benefit from the Lord’s mercy.^{[5]
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- Be at peace when you humble yourself before the Lord—this act shows your faith and your trust in God.
- Pay attention to what your body or spirit is telling you. For example, bring up if you’re physically fatigued or if you’re experiencing a crisis of faith.
- God tells us that weakness is just another opportunity to experience the Lord’s strength: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness. Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
2
Reach out to God for forgiveness. If you feel guilt for how you’ve acted, be honest with the Lord. Acknowledge any emotions you struggle with because of your sins, like shame or sadness. Admit to your actions right away and explain why they aren’t in alignment with the Word of God. Finally, thank the Lord for seeing your transgressions and for remaining by your side even when you falter.^{[6]
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- Be specific about your sins and talk about actions the Bible warned you against.
- Make a confession like, “I’ve lied. I feel deeply ashamed. I know the Bible tells me that the Lord is displeased by deception. God, I pray for forgiveness.”
- Remember that clarity and honesty are best for healing your soul: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
3
Call out to your Creator to cleanse your soul. Tell the Lord that you’re aware that you aren’t perfect but you still want to be a loyal follower. Express that you wish to be pure of heart and as virtuous as possible. Ask to be steered on a righteous path and away from temptation. Say that you want every word you utter and each act you perform to honor your Savior.^{[7]
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- While it’s normal to make mistakes, it’s also noble to continue to try your best.
- If you share your spiritual intentions with the Lord, you’ll have a clear idea of how to behave.
- Visualize that you are a vessel for God’s goodness: “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)
4
Ask your Savior how you can repent. First, take a moment to sit and reflect on your actions. Then, reach out to God and seek out the Lord’s gift of repentance. Request guidance so you can return to a positive direction in life. Finally, focus on the behaviors that show you’re committed to the Lord, like patience, and make amends to anyone you’ve impacted.^{[8]
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- If you practice empathy and compassion, God shows you how to earn people’s trust again.
- Apologize not only to others but also to the Lord, as your Savior holds you to a high standard.
- Follow your Creator’s light for full repentance: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)

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T: Thanksgiving

1
Hail the Lord for all your blessings. Consider the small and subtle ways that God has graced you. For example, celebrate the roof over your head or the clean water you drink. Also reflect on the significant gifts that really stand out, such as marrying your soulmate or landing your dream job. When you make time to count your blessings, you’ll naturally notice how your Savior fulfills you.^{[9]
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- Thankfulness is like a muscle. The more you exercise it, the more you’ll embrace your life.
- Try a “count your blessings” exercise. Come up with a number, like five, then list out that amount of blessings.
- Your Creator will always ensure you’re taken care of: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
2
Cherish the mercy God has shown you. Acknowledge that life has its ups and downs but that the Lord always spares you from what you can’t handle. Think about any barriers you’ve faced that your Savior cleared for you. Reflect on when a weight was lifted from your shoulders and your Creator made you feel light again. Embrace God’s compassion and you’ll realize it’s always present.^{[10]
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- Recall that any difficulties you experience are necessary to eventually feel joy and relief.
- No matter how much pain life offers, God always remains merciful and kind.
- Reach out to your Creator to feel solace even during your trials: “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.” (Psalm 86:5)
3
Appreciate your Creator for looking over those you love. When your friends and family thrive, take this as a sign of God’s greatness and generosity. Every time you witness their health, happiness, and success, realize that you’re in the presence of the Lord’s abundant power. Say a prayer and thank your Creator for watching over those near to your heart.^{[11]
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- Also praise God for your support network and the positive people in your life.
- Remember to be content when your loved ones are blessed with good luck.
- Use the Lord’s love for the people you care about as inspiration: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12-13)

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S: Supplication

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Open up to God about your fears and concerns. Tell the Lord about the load you carry and whatever makes your heart heavy. Also reveal what anxieties you’ve held onto or any ways that you dwell on the past. If you are restless and want a certain outcome, request that your Savior grants you patience. When you admit to all your worries, your Creator will bless you with reassurance.^{[12]
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- If you feel alone, stranded, or misunderstood, ask for support and connection.
- When you see yourself as weak or unsure, pray for strength and courage.
- Your love for the Lord is the perfect antidote for fear: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (1 John 4:18)
2
Discuss the needs of your friends and family with the Lord. Direct your focus away from yourself and concentrate on people you cherish. Reflect on what they’ve shared with you and the type of help they’re hoping for. Tell God how deeply you care about these individuals and pray on their behalf. You’ll show you’re a devout follower who radiates care and compassion, just like your Savior does.^{[13]
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- Repeat what your friends have asked for, such as freedom from debt or hardship.
- Also pray for wisdom and protection, even when your family and friends are thriving.
- Speak up for your loved ones, even when they are quiet: “Merciful Father, I pray for my family and friends…Even if they don’t say it, I know they are struggling with the burdens they carry. However, Lord, I am not afraid for I am sure of Your abundance and mercy.” (Isaiah 41:10)
3
Meditate on Scripture to find messages from your Creator. Know that when you pull out the Bible, the Word of God is always at your fingertips. Focus on the faith and trust you have in your Lord, then read passages from your Bible. Reflect on their wisdom and consider how they connect to your circumstances. The answers you find will come from God’s guidance.^{[14]
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- Pray before you open up your Bible and ask God for the type of wisdom you hope for.
- Your “a-ha!” moment may come within seconds or might require more contemplation.
- The Word of God is always available to teach and advise you: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)