ACTS Prayer Guide: Learning from Nehemiah’s Example
The ACTS prayer guide offers a powerful framework for deepening your prayer life, and Nehemiah’s prayer is a perfect biblical example. ACTS stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication, four essential elements that create balanced, meaningful conversations with God.
Adoration: Beginning with Who God Is
Nehemiah starts his prayer by acknowledging God as “the great and awesome God” and “God of heaven.” This ACTS prayer guide principle reminds us to begin by focusing on God’s character rather than our needs.
When you fill in the blank “LORD, YOU ARE _______,” you might choose attributes like faithful, mighty, merciful, or loving. This adoration changes your perspective and calms fears before you bring requests.
Confession: Acknowledging Our Need
The confession component of this ACTS prayer guide deepens humility. Nehemiah confessed the sins of his people, recognizing their wrongdoing before God. Modern believers can confess everyday struggles: angry words, misplaced priorities, selfishness, or impatience.
Using the prompt “LORD, I CONFESS THAT I _______, FORGIVE ME AND HELP ME TO _______” creates space for honest acknowledgment and genuine repentance.
Thanksgiving: Remembering God’s Faithfulness
Nehemiah expressed gratitude by recalling God’s promises and provision. He thanked God for redeeming His people “by your great strength and your mighty hand.”
The ACTS prayer guide emphasizes that thanksgiving must be intentional. The more you give thanks, the more grateful your heart becomes. Without this practice, it’s easy to miss the blessings God has already provided.
Supplication: Bringing Your Requests
After adoration, confession, and thanksgiving, the ACTS prayer guide leads naturally to supplication, presenting your needs to God. Nehemiah’s approach shows when prayer begins with worship and honest confession requests come from a heart properly aligned with God’s character and purposes.
This ACTS prayer guide transforms prayer from a shopping list into meaningful communion with your Creator.
