The A.C.T.S. prayer serves as a guide to organise our thoughts and requests. A.C.T.S. is an acronym standing for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.

Take some time and allow yourself to become quiet and still - separate from the usual busyness of the day. As each thought arises, simply lay it down before God and invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in this time.

Begin by praising God for who He is. Adoration is different from thanksgiving as its focus is not on what God has done or is doing, but simply on who God is. God is always worthy of our praise and adoration simply because he is God. You could use a scripture like Psalm 145: v1–8 to aid you:

“I will exalt you, my God the King;
     I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
     and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
     his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation commends your works to another;
     they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty —
     and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They tell of the power of your awesome works —
     and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They celebrate your abundant goodness
     and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
     slow to anger and rich in love...”

After focusing on the singular beauty of God, admit and confess your sins to God. The confession of sin is a life-giving activity as we recognise God's absolute goodness and reckon with the reality of a transcendent, three-times holy God who has come to meet us in the person and work of Jesus Christ.  Indeed, as David writes in Psalm 32:

As we confess our sins to God, we must remind ourselves of the finished work of Jesus, that the price has been paid. 1 John 1 v7b-9 tells us “the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Through confessing our sins to the Father, we recognise our absolute need for his Son, Jesus. And that is a prayer the Father loves to answer.

After confession, spend some time in thanksgiving to God. Scripture is clear on the command to be grateful in all situations. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5 v16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Christians are to be marked by a character of unceasing gratitude and thanksgiving in all circumstances. Thankful for all the good things the Lord has done and is doing in our lives and our church. Thankful for all the challenges and trials we are facing. Knowing that God is at work to redeem all things for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8 v28).

This means making requests to God. Where do you need particular help and guidance? What things do you feel particularly burdened by in our society, nation, and world? Pray for them. Pray for the needs others have shared with you. You may come to this time and think that there is far more to pray about than time allows, but God knows our prayers and what’s on our hearts. It’s a good idea to keep a notebook or a list of prayer requests, this way you can always rotate around the needs and it’s useful to track when God answers your prayers!