Am I Enjoying Prayer?

Student Life Youth have been digging through the book, The Wesley Challenge by Chris Folmsbee.  Last Sunday our youth finished day two - Am I enjoying Prayer?  

Prayer is deeply personal, but having a starting point can help us grow in it.  The simple acronym “ACTS” is not the only way to pray, but it provides a clear framework to help us focus as we build our relationship with God through prayer. Just think of it as a Guide, not a rule book, that can help us dial in and go deeper into the powerful world of prayer.

(A) Adoration :  Adoration is defined as “a deep love and respect.” It derives from the Latin root “adoratio,” meaning “to give homage or worship someone or something.”

(C) Confession : In general, to confess means to:

• Make known: To tell or reveal something that was hidden. 
• Acknowledge wrongdoing: To admit that you have done something bad, illegal, or wrong. 
• Show willingness to take responsibility: To own up to one's actions, often out of a sense of remorse or guilt. 

(T) Thanksgiving : Thanksgiving is more than just saying "thank you." It's a spiritual attitude of gratitude and a way of life, rooted in acknowledging God's goodness and provision in all circumstances.

(S) Supplication : Supplication is a humble, earnest, or desperate request for help, favor, or guidance, often made to someone in authority or power, such as a deity or a political leader. It goes beyond a simple request and carries an aura of reverence, deep entreaty, and humility. The word comes from the Latin verb supplicare, meaning "to plead humbly". 

The ACTS model of prayer is a simple but powerful framework to help you connect with God. It can provide you with an outline to establish a rhythm of regular pray that builds a real relationship with God.

So as you move forward, consider this: what part of the ACTS model resonated with you the most this week? And how can you use this simple guide to help you go even deeper in your personal prayer life?

~Shane