Join us for "The ACTS of Prayer," a six-week series designed to help you grow with God and others through the gift of prayer. Each week, we’ll explore different types of prayer—Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication—while addressing questions like, “Am I doing this right?” and “Why does God answer some prayers but not others?” Whether you’re new to prayer or looking to deepen your connection with God, this series will provide Biblical insights and practical tools to help you experience the power of prayer in a meaningful and guilt-free way.
Takeaway: Supplication (Ourselves) – Asking our Father for help.
Our Father delights in hearing from His children.
ACTS of Prayer
- Adoration – Praising God for who He is.
- Confession – Being honest with God about our sin.
- Thanksgiving – Expressing gratitude to God always and in everything.
- Supplication (Others) – Lifting up the needs of others to God.
- Supplication (Ourselves) – Asking our Father for help.
Supplication (Ourselves) – asking our Father for help
- We can ask our Father for help daily.
Give us today our daily bread.
– Matthew 6:11 (HCSB)
– Matthew 6:11 (HCSB)
Then the Lord said to Moses, "I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. This way I will test them to see whether or not they will follow My instructions. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days."
– Exodus 16:4-5 (HCSB)
– Exodus 16:4-5 (HCSB)
So at evening, quail came and covered the camp. In the morning, there was a layer of dew all around the camp. When the layer of dew evaporated, there were fine flakes on the desert surface, as fine as frost on the ground.
– Exodus 16:13-14 (HCSB)
– Exodus 16:13-14 (HCSB)
The house of Israel named the substance manna. It resembled coriander seed, was white, and tasted like wafers made with honey." 35 "The Israelites ate manna for 40 years, until they came to an inhabited land. They ate manna until they reached the border of the land of Canaan.
– Exodus 16:31, 35 (HCSB)
– Exodus 16:31, 35 (HCSB)
"Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!
– Lamentations 3:22-23 (HCSB)
– Lamentations 3:22-23 (HCSB)
Supplication (Ourselves) – asking our Father for help
- We can ask our Father for help daily.
- We can ask our Father for help specifically.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
– Philippians 4:4-7 (HCSB)
– Philippians 4:4-7 (HCSB)
Petition (also supplication): a desperate, heartfelt plea; to earnestly beg
Requests: a specific, concrete need we ask of God
And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
– Philippians 4:7 (HCSB)
– Philippians 4:7 (HCSB)
Study: Prayer and Mental Well-Being in the United States
“Engaging in personal prayer, particularly when combined with a relational view of God, is correlated with reduced anxiety and increased emotional well-being.”
– Journal of Religion and Health, Sept. 2024
“Engaging in personal prayer, particularly when combined with a relational view of God, is correlated with reduced anxiety and increased emotional well-being.”
– Journal of Religion and Health, Sept. 2024
Supplication (Ourselves) – asking our Father for help
- We can ask our Father for help daily.
- We can ask our Father for help specifically.
- We can ask our Father for help confidently.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus, the Son of God—let us hold fast to the confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.
– Hebrews 4:14-16 (HCSB)
– Hebrews 4:14-16 (HCSB)
He knows our problems because He has come through them. The best person to give you advice and help on a journey is someone who has traveled the road before you. God can help because He knows it all."
– Dr. William Barclay, The Letter to the Hebrews
– Dr. William Barclay, The Letter to the Hebrews
Boldly: freedom of speech; confidence; without hesitation.
Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.
– Hebrews 4:16 (HCSB)
– Hebrews 4:16 (HCSB)
We can ask our Father for help daily, specifically, and confidently.
Adoration: Praising God for who He is
"God, I praise You because You are ______."
(All-powerful, holy, compassionate, faithful, love)
“I Love You, Lord”
"God, I praise You because You are ______."
(All-powerful, holy, compassionate, faithful, love)
“I Love You, Lord”
Confession: Being honest with God about our sin.
"Lord, I agree with You that ______ was wrong. I claim Your promise that when I confess my sins, You are faithful to forgive and cleanse me. Please help me stay on the right path."
"Lord, I agree with You that ______ was wrong. I claim Your promise that when I confess my sins, You are faithful to forgive and cleanse me. Please help me stay on the right path."
Thanksgiving: Expressing gratitude to God always and in everything.
"Father, I thank You for ______. In the blessings and challenges, I trust You and give You praise."
"Father, I thank You for ______. In the blessings and challenges, I trust You and give You praise."
Supplication (Others): Lifting up the needs of others to God.
"God, I lift up ______ to You. Please help them according to Your will. If You want to use me, I accept Your call to help."
"God, I lift up ______ to You. Please help them according to Your will. If You want to use me, I accept Your call to help."
Supplication (Ourselves): Asking our Father for help.
"Father, I come to You asking for Your help with ______. I desperately need Your grace and strength every single day."
"Father, I come to You asking for Your help with ______. I desperately need Your grace and strength every single day."
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
– Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV 1984)
– Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV 1984)
Discussion Questions //
- What’s one thing you tend to pray about often? (Could be something small or big—daily needs, family, work, etc.)
- We can ask our Father for help daily. In the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus taught His disciples to pray for our “daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). What does this teach us about relying on God for our everyday needs?
- We can ask our Father for help specifically. Read Philippians 4:6-7—we are encouraged to bring specific requests to God. Why do you think praying specifically, rather than vaguely, strengthens our faith?
- We can ask our Father for help confidently. Hebrews 4:16 tells us to approach God’s throne of grace boldly. What might keep people from praying with confidence, and how does knowing Jesus is our mediator change that?
- Throughout this “ACTS of Prayer” series, we’ve explored several different aspects of prayer. What is one takeaway that has challenged or encouraged you in your prayer life? How can you apply it moving forward?
- To close, spend some time in prayer as an individual, family, or group and consider using the A.C.T.S. model as your prayer guide.
Worship Setlist //
You Keep Hope Alive // The Lord Will Provide // No Body // Hymn of Heaven // The Blessing
Devotional //
Each week, a new devotional will be available. This devotional is based on the previous Sunday's message, and it aims to take the message further and help you dive deeper into the topic. You can find the devotionals at the link, or sign up to receive weekly emails.
Catch Up //
You can watch or listen to past messages online!
Give //
Your financial gift to support what God is doing at The Ridge makes ministry possible. Thank you for your generosity. We cannot do any of what God has asked us to do here at The Ridge without your faithful and cheerful giving.
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