The Elements of Effective Prayer

The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) contains all the elements of effective prayer, best remembered by using the acronym A.C.T.S.: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication.

The 'Lord's Prayer' was addressed to: 'Our Father which art in heaven' (Vs 9a)
Starts with our Adoration: 'Hallowed be thy name' (Vs 9b)
Followed by our supplication for universal need: 'Thy kingdom come' (Vs 10a)
Followed by our Thanksgiving: 'Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven' (Vs 10b)
Followed by our supplication for physical need: 'Give us this day our daily bread' (Vs11)
Followed by our confession: 'Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors' (Vs 12)
Followed by our supplication for spiritual need: 'Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil' (Vs 13a)
Finishes with our Adoration: 'For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory' (Vs 13b)
Finalised by our affirmation: Amen (So be it!)

-- Lionel Hartley, Moral Responsibility, Stereo Publications, Christchurch, 1966 p20

(Matthew 6:9-13 KJV)  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11) Give us this day our daily bread. 12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.