It starts by addressing God as our Father in heaven, that although His name is honored, and above all other names, we are His children. As such, we occupy a place of privilege, and He wants us to spend time in prayer with Him.

The Lords prayer then moves on to pray that God’s Kingdom, or rule, will become the norm on earth, replacing human rules and governments, which too often are driven by greed and power. Only then do we turn to our own needs, and ask our Father for our basic human needs to be satisfied, and that He would forgive the wrong things that we
have done. We ask for God’s guidance and protection as we journey through life. Finally we turn back to God, and acknowledge His supremacy and position as the Almighty ruler.

Use the Lord’s prayer as a guide to deepen your own personal prayer life. Take your time going through each verse. Think about what Jesus wants to say to you specifically in each verse.

Following that principles of the Lord’s prayer, some Christians pray according to the acronym “A-C-T-S”.

A-doration is how we adore God. It is to worship him to the fullest and obey the greatest commandment to love God with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength.

C-onfession is the time to bring before God all the things that continue to be a hinderance in your relationship with God. Sins are what keeps interrupting our relationship with God but by confessing, through the sacrifice of Jesus, we are able to come before God.

T-hanksgiving is where we thank God for the blessing that He gives and has done. This is not limited to just ourselves but thanks for the things in other peoples lives as well. Often thanksgiving is confused with adoration but they are different.

S-upplication (or more appropriately intercession) is the time where we can pray for the needs of others.