Deepening Our Prayer Life: The ACTS Model
Summary
### Summary
Today, we continued our series "Teach Us to Pray" by exploring the power and purpose of prayer. We began by reflecting on two critical questions: Do we believe in the power of prayer, and does our prayer life reflect that belief? We acknowledged that while many of us believe in prayer, our practices may not always align with that belief. This series is not about inducing guilt but about encouraging a deeper, more meaningful prayer life.
We revisited three foundational truths about prayer: it is for God's glory, aligns us with His purposes, and fosters communion with Him. We then introduced a simple blueprint for prayer using the acronym ACTS: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. This model helps us structure our prayers in a way that honors God and deepens our relationship with Him.
Adoration involves praising God for who He is and what He has done. We emphasized that proud people don't praise God; humble people do. Confession is about acknowledging our sins and seeking God's forgiveness, which restores our relationship with Him. We discussed the importance of having a right view of sin, God, and ourselves in the process of confession.
Thanksgiving is crucial for cultivating a grateful heart, which combats anxiety and brings peace. Finally, supplication involves bringing our requests to God, seeking His favor and provision, not just for physical needs but also for spiritual growth.
We concluded by encouraging everyone to adopt this model in their daily prayer life, to praise God, confess sins, express gratitude, and seek His favor. This approach helps us live in a pattern of praise, maintain a right relationship with God, and experience His peace and power in our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Prayer and Alignment with Belief: Believing in the power of prayer is one thing, but ensuring that our prayer life reflects that belief is another. This series aims to deepen our understanding and practice of prayer, not to induce guilt but to encourage a more meaningful connection with God. [16:31]
2. Adoration: Praising God for Who He Is and What He Has Done: Adoration is about praising God for His attributes and His works. Proud people don't praise God; humble people do. Recognizing God's goodness and faithfulness helps us cultivate a heart of praise and humility. [19:55]
3. Confession: Acknowledging Sin and Seeking Forgiveness: Confession is essential for maintaining a right relationship with God. It involves acknowledging our sins, understanding God's holiness, and letting go of guilt. Confession is not just about seeking pardon but also about purification and restoration. [26:57]
4. Thanksgiving: Cultivating a Grateful Heart: A thankful heart combats anxiety and brings peace. By expressing gratitude for God's blessings, we align our hearts with His peace. Thanksgiving is the antidote to worry and helps us maintain a positive perspective, even in difficult times. [42:52]
5. Supplication: Seeking God's Favor and Provision: Supplication involves bringing our requests to God, seeking His favor and provision. It's not just about physical needs but also about spiritual growth. By focusing on spiritual supplications, we deepen our relationship with God and align our desires with His will. [44:33]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[16:31] - The Power of Prayer
[17:16] - Three Truths About Prayer
[18:52] - Introduction to ACTS
[19:55] - Adoration: Praising God
[22:29] - Elements of Praise
[24:01] - Habakkuk's Prayer
[26:14] - Confession: Acknowledging Sin
[29:14] - The Need for Confession
[31:54] - Psalm 51: David's Confession
[35:19] - Right View of God
[38:40] - Right View of Self
[42:52] - Thanksgiving: Cultivating Gratitude
[44:33] - Supplication: Seeking God's Favor
[46:34] - Conclusion and Prayer
[54:14] - Worship and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Habakkuk 2:14 - "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
2. Psalm 51:1-2 - "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin."
3. Philippians 4:6-7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the three foundational truths about prayer mentioned in the sermon? ([17:16])
2. According to the sermon, what are the two elements of adoration in prayer? ([22:29])
3. How does the sermon describe the role of confession in maintaining a right relationship with God? ([26:57])
4. What does Philippians 4:6-7 say about the relationship between thanksgiving and anxiety?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of prayer being for God's glory, as mentioned in Habakkuk 2:14, change the way we approach prayer? ([17:16])
2. In Psalm 51, David confesses his sins and seeks God's forgiveness. How does this passage illustrate the importance of having a right view of sin, God, and ourselves? ([31:54])
3. Philippians 4:6-7 connects thanksgiving with peace. How can cultivating a grateful heart help combat anxiety in our daily lives? ([42:52])
4. The sermon mentions that proud people don't praise God, but humble people do. How does humility influence our ability to praise and adore God? ([19:55])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own prayer life. Do you believe in the power of prayer, and does your prayer life reflect that belief? What changes can you make to align your practices with your beliefs? ([16:31])
2. The sermon suggests starting our prayers with adoration. How can you incorporate more praise for who God is and what He has done into your daily prayers? ([22:29])
3. Confession is described as essential for maintaining a right relationship with God. Is there a sin you need to confess to God today? How can you make confession a regular part of your prayer life? ([26:57])
4. Thanksgiving is said to combat anxiety. Can you identify three things you are grateful for today? How can you make expressing gratitude a daily habit? ([42:52])
5. Supplication involves seeking God's favor and provision. What are some spiritual needs you can bring before God this week? How can you focus more on spiritual growth in your prayers? ([44:33])
6. The sermon encourages us to let go of guilt after confession. Is there any guilt you are holding onto that you need to release? How can you embrace God's grace more fully? ([38:40])
7. How can you use the ACTS model (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) to structure your prayer time this week? What specific steps will you take to implement this model? ([18:52])
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning Belief with Practice
Believing in the power of prayer is one thing, but ensuring that our prayer life reflects that belief is another. This series aims to deepen our understanding and practice of prayer, not to induce guilt but to encourage a more meaningful connection with God. Many people profess a belief in the power of prayer, yet their daily practices may not always align with that belief. This disconnect can stem from various factors, including busyness, distractions, or even a lack of understanding of how to pray effectively.
To bridge this gap, it is essential to cultivate a prayer life that truly reflects our belief in its power. This involves setting aside dedicated time for prayer, being intentional about our approach, and seeking to understand the deeper purposes of prayer. By doing so, we can experience a more profound connection with God and witness the transformative power of prayer in our lives. [16:31]
James 1:6-7 (ESV): "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord."
Reflection: Think about your current prayer habits. Do they reflect a genuine belief in the power of prayer? What specific changes can you make to align your prayer life with your belief in its power?
Day 2: Humility in Adoration
Adoration is about praising God for His attributes and His works. Proud people don't praise God; humble people do. Recognizing God's goodness and faithfulness helps us cultivate a heart of praise and humility. Adoration involves acknowledging God's greatness, His sovereignty, and His love. It is an act of humbling ourselves before Him, recognizing that He is worthy of all praise and honor.
When we adore God, we shift our focus from ourselves to Him. This act of adoration helps us to see our own lives in the context of His greatness and goodness. It fosters a sense of humility, as we recognize that all we have and all we are is because of Him. By regularly practicing adoration, we can cultivate a heart that is continually in awe of God's majesty and grace. [19:55]
Psalm 95:6-7 (ESV): "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand."
Reflection: Reflect on the attributes of God that you are most grateful for. How can you incorporate adoration into your daily prayer life to cultivate a heart of humility and praise?
Day 3: The Necessity of Confession
Confession is essential for maintaining a right relationship with God. It involves acknowledging our sins, understanding God's holiness, and letting go of guilt. Confession is not just about seeking pardon but also about purification and restoration. When we confess our sins, we are agreeing with God about the nature of our actions and our need for His forgiveness.
Confession helps us to maintain a clear conscience and a close relationship with God. It allows us to experience His grace and mercy afresh, as we are reminded of His willingness to forgive and restore us. By regularly practicing confession, we can keep short accounts with God and ensure that nothing hinders our relationship with Him. [26:57]
1 John 1:9 (ESV): "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Reflection: Is there a sin in your life that you need to confess to God today? How can you make confession a regular part of your prayer life to maintain a right relationship with Him?
Day 4: Cultivating Gratitude through Thanksgiving
A thankful heart combats anxiety and brings peace. By expressing gratitude for God's blessings, we align our hearts with His peace. Thanksgiving is the antidote to worry and helps us maintain a positive perspective, even in difficult times. When we practice thanksgiving, we are reminded of God's faithfulness and provision in our lives.
Gratitude helps us to focus on the positive aspects of our lives, rather than dwelling on the negatives. It shifts our perspective and helps us to see God's hand at work, even in challenging circumstances. By regularly expressing thanks, we can cultivate a heart that is continually aware of God's goodness and grace. [42:52]
Colossians 3:15-17 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: What are three specific things you are grateful for today? How can you make thanksgiving a regular part of your prayer life to combat anxiety and bring peace?
Day 5: Seeking Spiritual Growth through Supplication
Supplication involves bringing our requests to God, seeking His favor and provision. It's not just about physical needs but also about spiritual growth. By focusing on spiritual supplications, we deepen our relationship with God and align our desires with His will. Supplication is an act of dependence on God, recognizing that we need His help and guidance in every area of our lives.
When we bring our requests to God, we are acknowledging our need for His intervention and provision. This act of supplication helps us to trust in His sovereignty and goodness, knowing that He cares for us and is able to meet our needs. By regularly practicing supplication, we can grow in our dependence on God and experience His provision in our lives. [44:33]
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: What specific spiritual growth areas do you need to bring before God in supplication today? How can you make supplication a regular part of your prayer life to deepen your relationship with Him?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Do you believe in the power of prayer? Awesome. Now the next question is this. If you believe in the power of prayer, does your prayer life truly reflect what you say you believe? And hopefully you answer yes to that. But I know in my life there are some times those don't always match up." [16:31] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Prayer is not just for our good, but for his glory. Prayer is not just for us. We receive gifts from God. Right? Prayer ultimately is about the glory of God and that he would get the glory. That's really the prayer of our church been this year and our theme from Habakkuk 2, verse 14. That the whole earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God." [17:16] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Humble people will sit in awe of God. And the more we're filled with humility, the more we can praise. Psalm 92. Verse 1 says, It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High, to declare your steadfast love in the morning and your faithfulness by night." [20:36] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "A thankful heart fights against an anxious heart. And I know that's kind of like a blanket statement. If you struggle with anxiety, there's not just, well, just say thank you, God. Right? There's a lot to this. But learning to be grateful. If you Google this, right, grateful heart and anxiety, there's all kinds of scientific research that says the more grateful you are, the healthier you are. The more thankful you are, the less anxious you are." [42:52] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. What is the result of that? In the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding. We'll guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. You want your heart and your mind to be guarded from anxiety? Learn to be thankful. Pray about everything, worry about nothing." [43:41] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Prayer is not just for our plans, but for his purposes. So prayer isn't just, hey, God, I'm doing this. Help me out. Right? How many of you guys have ever had a plan in life? And God had a different purpose. We were in our community group this week. We were discussing this. And we talked about make sure you write your plans in pencil and carry a big eraser. Because God's purpose is always going to prevail." [17:53] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we enter into prayer, one of the best ways to begin a prayer is just, man, praise God for who he is. Praise God for what he's done. Secondly is confession. Now, I'm thankful when it comes to confession. We don't have to have somebody, a mediator to go to. Did you guys know that if you're a child of God, you're a priest? You don't have to go to somebody else as an intermediary. Like, would you go to God on my behalf? No, just because of what Jesus did on the cross, you and I can enter into the throne room of God." [26:14] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you have a relationship with God that you can only have through Jesus, right? If you've repented of your sin and you put your faith in God, your sins have all been forgiven. That means your past sins, the sins you're going to commit today, your present sins, and then your future sins. So all of my sins have been forgiven. This is what Paul says in Romans chapter 8 and verse 1. He says, There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Isn't that good news?" [27:43] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When we confess. We must let go of the guilt. We must let go of the guilt. That God removes our sins as far as the east is from the west. And what happens, what I've seen so many times is people confess and they, God, I've failed. I've messed up. But then they get stuck here because they continue to cling to their guilt. And what happens is when we cling to our guilt, man, we say things like God could never use me. I'll never be used by God again." [38:40] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Prayer is the constant calibration of your soul. And holding on to your guilt rather than his grace, it will keep you from glorifying God. When we let go of the guilt and we hold on to his grace, it allows God. To use us. Listen to what he says in Psalm 51. And you can see in here in Psalm 51 verses 10 through verse 17. You can hear him. He's praying. And he transitions into he's releasing the guilt. And he's allowing God to use him again." [40:27] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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