how to pray

Pray without Ceasing – 1 Thess. 5:16-18

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Prayer Guide

Having a personal prayer plan can enhance your prayer experience. In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus teaches believers to pray in a certain way.  A plan will provide direction and focus in your prayer life.  Our desire should be to encounter God who answers prayer.  Believers should resist the temptation to allow this or any other plan to become a means to an end.  Jesus warns against prayer being treated as simply a ritual or religious activity (Matt. 6:7-8).

“This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13

As you pray you can use the ACTS acrostic to guide your prayer time. These categories are broad enough to allow for adaptation to individual contexts.  This acrostic contains the major elements given by Christ in the model prayer (Matt. 6:9-13; Luke 11:1-4).

Adoration—Spend time praising the Lord and adoring Him for who he is (Matt. 6:9) Use Scripture to praise Him (Ps. 103, 145, 150; Rev. 4:8; 5:12-14). Love and cherish His presence and allow Him to work in and through your life (Matt. 22:32-34). Be still before Him and enjoy His presence (Ps.46:10). Use this time to allow God to speak to you through His Word and Spirit (Ps. 40:1-3; 90:12-17). Praise the Lord by praying scripture or hymns back to Him (Ps. 84; Rev. 4:8; 5:9-10, 12-13 and “Great is Thy Faithfulness”).

Confession—Confession should be a part of your continual walk with Christ (Matt.6:9-13).  Spend time asking Christ to search your heart for areas that displease Him (Ps.139-23). Allow God to cleanse your heart of any unconfessed sin (Ps 51:10-13). Be sure to spend time confessing and repenting of (turning away from) specific sins (1 John 1:9). Accept His forgiveness and cleansing (Jer. 31:34).

Thanksgiving—The Bible calls believers to give thanks for all things as a part of our everyday lives. (Phil 4:6-7). This includes thanking God for specific things such as blessings, people, providence (God’s hand in circumstances), guidance, etc. Also give thinks for His salvation and the privilege to serve such a wonderful Savior. Thank Him for his goodness, loving-kindness, and faithfulness (Ps.100:4-6).

Supplication—We are called as believers to intercessory prayer (Matt. 6:9-13; Luke 18:1; Col 4:2; 1 Tim 1:1-4). Thus, we are to come before God on behalf of others (Heb. 10:19-25; Rev. 1:4-6). Spend time praying for specific people, events, states, countries, missionaries, etc. (Acts 12:5; Rom. 10:1). In addition, spend time praying for personal needs (Matt. 6:11-13). Make prayer lists for your time of supplication.  Be sure to include a place for answers to be recorded. Recorded answers can become items of praise and thanksgiving.