Duncan Christian Reformed Church

What to Pray

Have you ever wondered what to pray for? Have you ever thought, "What words can I use when I pray to God?" A very simple way to remember what to include is using the acronym, A.C.T.S.s. Each letter will remind what to pray about.

A ~ is for "Adoration." We get a sense that this should be included in our prayer activity from that prayer we call "the Lord's Prayer." The first three requests there are not about our needs or wants or troubles. They are about God: his Name, his Kingdom, his will. Adoration is expressing love to God for his qualities and character. His name is holy. He is King, God the Father Almighty. His will expresses great wisdom and insight and truth. Be sure in this time to not fall back to asking God for things. This is all about the wonder of who he is! The psalms often express such adoration; for example check out Psalm 18:1.

C ~ is for "Confession." The basic meaning is that we agree with God's assessment of what is real. We agree that we sin. Too often we don't take the time to truly confess our faults, what the Bible calls sin. In order to avoid this pitfall in prayer, it's important that we get specific about our sins. We lose our temper. We think evil of another. We find we hate someone. We can't forgive. We don't believe. We grumble and complain. We commit idolatry. Some common sins to watch out for are written about in 1 Corinthians 10:6-10; Hebrews 3:12; 12:14-16.

T ~ is for "Thanksgiving." What do we have that hasn't been given to us by God? We are who we are because God has made us that way. There is so much to be thankful for! Giving thanks to God is all about gratefulness for what he has done for us, his mighty acts, his deeds not only in the past - - the cross, the empty tomb, the ascension, the pouring out of gifts through the Spirit - - but presently his provisions. Be sure when giving thanks not to fall back into asking God for things. This is about giving thanks to him. We're told to give thanks to God for all circumstances (1 Thess 5:18): not for the circumstances, which may be very troubling to us; but that for God no matter what the circumstances are, nothing is impossible for him!

S ~ is for "Supplication" which means asking God for the needs of others (technically called "intercession"), and asking God for our own needs. By this time in our prayer we'll have full confidence in God and know in our hearts that he's the God who can supply all our needs according to his riches in glory.

s ~ the small "s" is for submission; following the example of Jesus we ask for the things we need always praying in faith, always praying "your will be done."

Pastor Walt Vanderwerf