The ACTS Devotional Prayer Model is a model of devotional prayer based on the tabernacle of Moses. When practiced regularly, this model brings the devotee consistently into a deep sense of the presence of God, where you can encounter Him and hear His voice.
The ACTS model is designed to be used in your set times of devotional prayer, although it is also very powerful when used together in a group. In fact, we encourage everyone, especially when developing a devotional prayer life, to pray together with others. A set prayer time with others is the surest way to be consistent at the beginning. And vocalizing prayer with others helps us stay focused and helps us develop a devotional vocabulary.
This guide is divided into four parts -designed to guide four equal parts of your prayer time: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication.
Adoration
Adoration is simply magnifying God (Psalm 34). The Bible says we enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Praise is the way into the “courts” of His presence. In this section, we push behind us all our needs, our desires, our feelings and simply give God worth love.
Confession and Proclamation
Confession is where we repent for anything we need to, and consecrate ourselves freshly to God. It is also the place where we “clothe ourselves with Christ,” putting on His nature. Proclamation is the place where we fight for the nature of God in our souls. Wherever God is challenging you to change He is also giving you grace to change; and in these areas we need to partner with what God is doing in our lives through proclaiming the truths He is speaking to our hearts.
Thanksgiving and Inquiry
In this place we fellowship with God and listen for His voice. Thanksgiving is the way we open the door of His personal voice to us. But it is not the type of thanksgiving you might be used to. This is a personal thanksgiving, for who He has been to you personally, how He has cared for you and shown His love to you personally. It it this deep, very personal thanksgiving that settles us into the place of personal friendship, and leads us to the place of hearing. The second part is inquiry, where you begin to ask God the questions in your heart and write down what you feel is His response, even if you are not sure.
Supplication
Supplication is simply asking God from a personal perspective. Too often we come to God as beggars. But we are not beggars; we are greatly loved sons and daughters. We must ask from this foundation, the foundation of a personal, loving relationship.