Introduction
Prayer is at the heart of our relationship with God. It is through prayer that we communicate with our Creator, expressing our love, sorrow, gratitude, and needs. But prayer is more than just communication—it is a way of participating in God’s mission to restore all of creation. Through Jesus’ cross and resurrection, God entered into the creation and began the mission of restoring and uniting heaven and earth. Through prayer, we align ourselves with this divine work. A helpful guide for structuring our prayer life is the ACTS acronym: Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. By following this pattern, we align our hearts with God’s will and grow in our understanding of His love for us, becoming co-workers with Christ in His mission of renewal.
Adoration: Acknowledging Who God Is
The first step in prayer is Adoration—recognizing the greatness, majesty, and love of God. We take time to stand in awe of His power, wisdom, and mercy, acknowledging Him as our Abba, our dearest Father. This is a moment of worship, where we let God know that we see Him for who He truly is: the Creator of all, the source of life, and the One who holds all things together. When we adore God, we are reminded of His sovereignty, and our faith is strengthened as we recognize His presence in our lives.
By practicing adoration, we are participating in the building up of God’s kingdom here on Earth. When we acknowledge God’s greatness, we set the foundation for a world that seeks His will first. Our adoration shapes our hearts and actions to reflect His love and truth, inspiring others to do the same.
Contrition: Recognizing Our Sinfulness
After adoring God, we turn inward and recognize our own failings. Contrition is an essential part of prayer because it acknowledges that we do not always love God or our neighbors as we should. Sin damages our relationship with God and others, but through prayer, we confess our shortcomings and ask for His mercy. Though God already knows our sins, expressing them in prayer shows our sincere desire for repentance and transformation. It is also a pledge to love Him and our neighbors more fully so that we may avoid sin in the future.
When we seek contrition, we take an active role in renewing the world through reconciliation and mercy. As we become more aware of our shortcomings and strive to love better, we create communities rooted in humility, forgiveness, and healing—essential elements in building God’s kingdom here on Earth.
Thanksgiving: Gratitude for God’s Blessings
A heart that acknowledges its sinfulness must also be a heart full of Thanksgiving. We give thanks to God not only for the gifts of daily life but most especially for the gift of Jesus Himself. Through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, we are invited to share in the restoration of creation. We give thanks for our salvation, for the love of our fellow Christians, and for the countless ways in which God sustains and blesses us. Gratitude shifts our perspective, helping us to see the abundance of God’s grace rather than focusing on what we lack.
Gratitude fuels the work of building up God’s kingdom by reminding us of His goodness and generosity. A thankful heart fosters joy and encouragement, strengthening our commitment to live out God’s love in service to others.
Supplication: Lifting Our Needs Before God
Finally, we bring our Supplications before God. This is where we lay our desires, needs, and struggles at His feet. God already knows our hearts, but by speaking our requests aloud in prayer, we discern whether our desires align with His will. Through supplication, we learn to trust that God provides what we truly need to participate in building up His Kingdom here on Earth. It is an act of surrender, allowing God to shape our lives according to His perfect plan.
When we offer supplication, we are not just seeking blessings for ourselves, but also for the world around us. By praying for justice, peace, and the needs of others, we actively intercede in the restoration of creation and take part in God’s transformative work on Earth.
Conclusion
Prayer is more than just a list of requests—it is a dialogue with God that draws us into deeper communion with Him. The ACTS method helps us to structure our prayers in a way that keeps our focus on who God is, who we are in relation to Him, and how we are called to live as His disciples. By practicing Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and Supplication, we allow our prayers to transform us, guiding us to a closer walk with Christ and a greater participation in His mission to restore the world. May we always turn to God in prayer, trusting in His love and seeking to align our hearts with His divine will
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post