THEOLOGY XVII. Prayer Prayer is two-way communication between people and God. It is one of the greatest gifts that God has given. Prayer changes the world. Prayer changes the church. Prayer changes the individual. Jesus taught his disciples how to pray (see Prayer in the training module Call to Missions) through the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13). Prayer and fasting go together (see Matt. 6:9-18). When we fast, our hunger reminds us to pray throughout each day. Someone suggested using the acrostic ACTS to remind us how to pray AAdoration of God C Confession of sin TThanksgiving to God S Supplication—asking God to supply needs Consider each of these parts of prayer. Web adoreb God by praising and honoring him, telling of his attributes—his holiness, sovereignty, love, mercy, grace, and faithfulness (see Rev. 4:9-11). Web confessb our sin so that we maybe forgiven and have fellowship with God (see 1 John 1:9). Web thankb God for his blessings in all circumstances (see 1 Thess. 5:16-18). Such thanksgiving makes us happy and it makes God happy (see Luke 17:11-19). Supplication is the act of petitioning God to supply some needs (see Matt. 7:7-8; Phil. 4:6). We may petition God to provide for our need, or we may have intercessory prayer for the needs of others. We should pray to God the Father (see Matt. 6:9) in the name of Jesus (see John 16:24) by the power of the Holy Spirit (see Romans 8:26,27). Praying the name of Jesus is not only citing his name, but also praying according to his nature. Praying in the name of Jesus is appealing to the authority of Jesus, who has overcome sin and death through his sacrifice on the cross (see Rev. 3:21). It is the nature of Jesus to desire to do the will of the Father (see Luke 22:42). Not only should we speak to God in prayer, we should listen and watch for his response (see John
