Lesson One: A Prayer Pattern (A-C-T-S)

I. Examples from the Book of Psalms

• Adoration – Psalm 8:1-4,9; Psalm 145:1-4 What character qualities of God are exalted in these prayers? What does it tell us about the psalmist’s knowledge of God? 
• Confession – Psalm 32:3-5; Psalm 51:1-4  What can we learn about confession to God from the way the psalmist is confessing his sins? What personal view of God is reflected in his prayers? 
• Thanksgiving – Psalm 9:1,2; Psalm 118:1-4 For what reasons do we give thanks to God? What is worthy of our thanksgiving? 
• Supplication – Psalm 12:1-7; Psalm 31:1-4  Observe how the prayers of supplication are connected to the psalmist’s knowledge of God’s character. Share your observations to the group. 

II. Practicing the A-C-T-S Pattern: Suggested strategy: 

1. Do the Adoration in unison as a group. 
2. Do the Confession in silent prayer individually. 
3. Do the Thanksgiving in pairs – take turns in expressing thanks to God. 
4. Do the Supplication in threes – share your personal request to the group and assign a leader who will facilitate conversational prayer for this portion.