The ACTS Prayer Method: A Simple Guide to Enrich Your Prayer Life

The ACTS model is a helpful acronym that stands for Adoration, Contrition (or Confession), Thanksgiving, and Supplication. It offers a straightforward structure for talking with God and can be especially useful if you're looking for a way to deepen or organize your prayer time. While it's not the only way to pray, many find it a great starting point. You might begin by spending just 3 to 5 minutes working through each of these four areas in your daily prayer.

A – Adoration

Adoration is the act of praising God simply for who He is. Before bringing any needs or requests, begin by focusing your heart on the greatness and goodness of God. This helps us enter into His presence and acknowledge that we are addressing our loving Creator. You can reflect on God's names found in Scripture, or express your praise aloud or silently.

Examples of Adoration:

• “Lord, You are Emmanuel—God with us.”

• “I praise You, Lord, for Your holiness, Your might, and Your tender love.”

• “You are the Maker of the universe, yet You know me intimately.”

• “Jesus, You laid down Your life out of love for us. Thank You.”

• “You are the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end.”

• “Father, You are good and generous—the giver of every good gift.”

• “Holy Spirit, You are powerful and dwell within me. Glory to You!”

This part of prayer may feel unfamiliar at first, but over time, adoration helps reorient our hearts and fosters a deeper connection with God.

Suggested Scripture for Adoration (NABRE):

• 1 Chronicles 29:11-13
  "Yours, LORD, are greatness and might, majesty, victory, and splendor. Everything in heaven and on earth is yours... We give you thanks and praise your glorious name."

• Psalm 63:4-5
  "I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands, calling on your name. My soul shall be sated... my mouth will praise you with joyful lips."

• Revelation 4:8
  "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come."

• Revelation 5:12
  "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing."

• Psalm 25:8
  "Good and upright is the LORD, therefore he shows sinners the way."

Names of God to Inspire Praise:

• Emmanuel – God with us

• Bread of Life

• Lamb of God

• Light of the World

• King of Kings

• Lord of Lords

• Good Shepherd

• Redeemer

• I AM

• Savior

• Father

Catholic Hymns of Adoration:

• How Great Thou Art

• Holy God, We Praise Thy Name

• O Salutaris Hostia

• Tantum Ergo

• Holy Is His Name

A Prayerful Prompt:

“God, You are holy, majestic, and beyond all comprehension—and yet You are near. I praise You for who You are, not just for what You do. Open my heart to adore You in spirit and in truth. Help me to rest in Your presence and gaze upon Your beauty with awe and love.”

C – Contrition (or Confession)

After adoring God, we turn inward and honestly reflect on where we’ve fallen short. This is a time to acknowledge our sins, express sorrow, and ask for God’s help to change. When we begin prayer with praise, our hearts are often more open to sincere and hopeful repentance. Rather than a heavy burden, confession becomes a moment of freedom and grace.

Examples of Confession:

• “Lord, I’m sorry for ignoring Your promptings today.”

• “Jesus, forgive me for the way I spoke in anger—teach me to respond with love.”

• “God, I confess the time I’ve wasted and ask for guidance to be more disciplined.”

• “Forgive me for believing lies about my worth. Help me embrace Your truth.”

Making a daily examination of conscience and bringing our confessions to God in personal prayer is essential. In addition, regular participation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation—monthly if possible—is strongly encouraged. And, of course, the Church calls us to go to Confession at least once a year, and always after committing a mortal sin.

Scripture for Contrition (NABRE):

• Psalm 139:23–24
  "Probe me, God, know my heart; try me, know my thoughts. See if there is a wicked path in me; lead me along an ancient path."

• Psalm 51:12–14
  "A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit... Restore to me the gladness of your salvation; uphold me with a willing spirit."

• 1 John 1:8–9
  "If we say, 'We are without sin,' we deceive ourselves... If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing."

• Jeremiah 31:34
  "I will forgive their iniquity and no longer remember their sin."

• 2 Corinthians 7:9–10
  "Godly sorrow produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret..."

• Psalm 25:11
  "For your name’s sake, LORD, pardon my guilt, though it is great."

Hymns and Songs of Contrition:

• O God, You Search Me 

• Lord, I Need You (Matt Maher)

• Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling

• Grace (Laura Story)

• Through and Through  (Hear Us, O Lord)

• Have Mercy, Lord, On Us (Psalm 51)

• Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God
  
  

A Prayerful Prompt:

"Lord, reveal to me what I need to confess. Show me where I have turned from Your ways. I trust in Your mercy and healing. I return to You with a contrite heart."

T – Thanksgiving

Giving thanks comes naturally in some moments, but we often forget to do it regularly. Thanksgiving helps us recognize God’s presence and generosity in all areas of our lives—both big and small. A helpful practice is to thank God for 10 unique things each day, ranging from everyday blessings to personal moments of grace.

Examples of Thanksgiving:

• “Thank You, Lord, for providing what I needed today.”

• “Thank You for the beauty of creation—I’m so grateful for the ocean breeze and morning sun.”

• “Jesus, thank You for saving me and drawing me close to You.”

• “Thank You for the people in my life who love and support me.”

• “Thank You, Holy Spirit, for speaking to my heart through that Scripture verse.”

Scripture for Thanksgiving (NABRE):

• 1 Chronicles 16:34
  "Give thanks to the LORD, who is good, whose love endures forever."

• 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
  "Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."

• Philippians 4:6–7
  "Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God... will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

• Psalm 100:4–5
  "Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name; good indeed is the LORD..."

• James 1:17 reminds us that “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” Practicing gratitude opens our eyes to God’s goodness at work.
  

Hymns and Songs of Thanksgiving:

• Now Thank We All Our God

• For the Beauty of the Earth

• Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

• Give Thanks

• Praise to the Lord, the Almighty  (can be used for Adoration, too)

• Sing to the Mountains (Bob Dufford)

• Thanks Be to God (Stephen Dean)

• Blessed Be Your Name (Matt Redman)

A Prayerful Prompt:

"Lord, thank You for Your goodness, for the breath in my lungs, for this moment of grace. Help me to see Your gifts in every part of my day, and to live with a grateful heart."

S – Supplication

Supplication means bringing our needs—and the needs of others—before the Lord. This is what many people most commonly think of when they think about prayer: asking God for help, guidance, healing, or provision. We are encouraged in Scripture to “Ask, and you will receive” (Matthew 7:7). Bring specific requests and trust in His loving response.

Examples of Supplication:

• “Lord, please bring healing to Mary. Give her doctors wisdom and surround her with peace.”

• “Jesus, bring peace to places of conflict and comfort those who suffer.”

• “Father, protect and bless my children with good friends and strong faith.”

• “God, guide us in our decisions about school, work, or family matters.”

• “Holy Spirit, show me someone I can bless today and give me the courage to act.”

• “Jesus, heal the pain in my heart and help me trust in Your plan for my future.”

• “Lord, have mercy on those who have died, especially my loved ones in Purgatory—bring them quickly into Your heavenly presence.”

Praying for ourselves, for others, and for the world is an important way we cooperate with God’s will and participate in His work of healing and grace.

Scripture for Supplication (NABRE):

• Philippians 4:6
  "Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God."

• Ephesians 6:18
  "With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones."

• 1 Timothy 2:1–4
  "I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and all in authority... This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth."

Hymns and Songs for Supplication:

• O God, Our Help in Ages Past

• Hear Us, Almighty Lord

• I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

• Shepherd Me, O God (Marty Haugen)

• Make Me a Channel of Your Peace

• I Need Thee Every Hour

• Be Still My Soul

A Prayerful Prompt:

"Lord, You know my needs and the needs of those I love. I bring before You my hopes, worries, and desires. Strengthen my faith as I ask, seek, and knock, trusting in Your perfect timing and will."

Wrapping It All Together

The ACTS method provides a beautiful rhythm to prayer that includes honoring God, examining our hearts, expressing gratitude, and lifting up our needs. It’s a flexible and powerful tool—whether you have just a few minutes or more time to spend in prayer. As you grow in your spiritual life, you’ll likely find that this method not only deepens your relationship with God but also helps you grow in faith, hope, and love.

You might consider using ACTS as a framework for your morning prayer, journaling time, or even during Eucharistic Adoration. Over time, it can become second nature—and a meaningful part of your daily walk with the Lord.