How to Pray: Psalm 1

How to Pray: Psalm 1
Date posted: 01.22.24

Prayer is all about creating and deepening a personal relationship with God. Its inviting God into your every day, every thought, and every decision. Even though prayer is about relationship, sometimes it’s hard to know where to start or what to say. This week, we’re practicing the ACTS prayer—focusing on Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. Each day, we’ll practice ACTS by using a chapter from Psalm. You’ll use ACTS to shape your personal prayer time based on the passage.

Adoration

Praise God for who He is! Use the passage, what it says about God, and praise Him for it.

 

Confession

Prayer is the moment you can be completely open and vulnerable with God. Take a moment to confess any sin, mindsets, behavior, habits, or addictions. Use the Scripture to guide your confession if needed.

 

Thanksgiving

Thank God for who He is and what He’s done. You’ve taken a moment to praise Him, now thank Him. Take the characteristics mentioned in Scripture and thank Him for exactly how He’s shown that to you.

 

Supplication (Stuff)

Now’s the time to speak your prayer requests to God. They can be requests for you or someone else. A personal relationship with God means you can bring everything to Him. He listens to your requests, desires, and hopes.

1Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.

4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Psalm 1 (The Two Ways)

 

Adoration

God, Your Word is valuable. Your Word lights my path and I get to delight in You. I get to rest in You! Your Word is a seed planted in me that makes me a tree to bear fruit in Your name. You are generous to give Your Word. It’s a gift I seek to use day and night. Not only did you give Your Word, but You gave us Your Word in human form—You gave Your perfect Son, Jesus. What else do you adore about God?

 

Confession

I admit that I do not always value Your Word as highly as I should. At times, distractions and idols pull my attention away from You. Forgive me for the moments when I fail to obey Your Word and help me to delight in Your Word as truth. You have given me Your law, so that I can find rest, refuge, and guidance as I navigate the world around me. Open up to God more through confession. Remember, He loves you unconditionally.

 

Thanksgiving

Thank you for giving me Your law. I am grateful that I can find rest, refuge, and guidance as I navigate a complicated world around me. Tell God more of the ways you’re thankful for Him.

 

Supplication (Stuff)

I pray that You would guide me to walk in Your ways. Help me to delight in Your Word and rest in Your truth. Keep me from walking in step with the wicked and give me the wisdom to choose my company wisely. I pray that I bear fruit in Your name and have opportunities to share Your Good News. Watch over me and lead me down Your path. Continue asking God for what you need. He cares for you and listens to your requests. Amen.

How to Pray

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