Prayer

There’s a little acronym that is helpful in understanding what prayer is and how to pray. I have heard both Catholic and Protestant teachers use this acronym. It’s pretty simple. It is quite ancient, really, and very Christian. 

A - Adoration

Adoration involves praising God, but it is more than that. It is the heart expression of deep love for and devotion to God in response to His love. 

Here is what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says about adoration. 

Adoration is the first attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator. It exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us and the almighty power of the Savior who sets us free from evil. Adoration is homage of the spirit to the "King of Glory," respectful silence in the presence of the "ever greater" God. Adoration of the thrice-holy and sovereign God of love blends with humility and gives assurance to our supplications.
—Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2628

The USCCB website has some good instructions about adoration, especially what is called Eucharistic Adoration. Click here for more information. 


C - Confession

Acknowledgement of one’s sinfulness and need of salvation is a natural result of spending time adoring God.


The idea of confession following adoration comes from Isaiah 6, I am told. 

This is where the prophet has a vision of being in Heaven, in God’s presence. Being there made him realize how sinful and needy he was. 

Isaiah 6Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)A Vision of God in the Temple6 In the year that King Uzzi′ah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim; each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said:“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;the whole earth is full of his glory.”4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”6 Then flew one of the seraphim to me, having in his hand a burning coal which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin forgiven.” 

T - Thanksgiving

This is pretty simple. A person gives thanks to God for everything.  Just say “thank you” to God. 

Psalm 921 -It is good to give thanks to the Lord,    to sing praises to your name, O Most High;

S - Supplication

A person presents his or her requests to God. 

Philippians 4:6New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Catholics involve the saints in this as well, asking them for prayer. No, we don’t talk to the dead. God is not God of the dead, but of the living.  

We can ask any Christian to pray for us, including the saints who are already in Heaven. Christians have been doing that for 2,000 years. 

The ACTS “thingy” is  helpful. The order isn’t really important.