God's Name: Devotions From Time Of GraceSample

Pray the Name

When I was a kid, I learned a way to pray called the A.C.T.S. Method. It stood for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication (asking for stuff). I understood the “I’m sorry's” and “thank you for's” and “please gimmes,” but I never really got that first part. Adoration?

But now I get why the best prayer starts there. Adore God. Hallow his name. Meditate on how wonderfully different God is from even the best things in your life. Pray, “God, you are glorious. You created all of this. Your love never fails. You never change. You are always faithful, always forgiving, always in control. You are my hidden treasure, my everything. Earth has nothing I desire besides you.”

If you start there, do you know what so naturally comes next? Confession. “But, God, that makes my sin even worse. I forgot your name. I ran to ____ to make me happy instead of to you.” And do you know what flows from there? Thanksgiving. “But, Jesus, there is forgiveness in your name! You knew what I would do, but you still died for a sinner like me.” Finally, supplication gets spiritual. “God, I want to have a good day, but what I really want is you. I want to remember you, know you, and see you by faith. I don’t need anything else. Neither do my friends, my kids, my family. So, God, please open our minds to see you as wonderfully different as you are. ‘Hallowed be your name’ (Matthew 6:9). Amen!”

Oh, that’s a great way to pray!