The Practice of Prayer (A.C.T.S.)

Sermon by Pastor Catherine Chan
Text: Philippians 4:4–7

Continuing the sermon series Living from the Place of Prayer, Pastor Catherine Chan built upon last week’s foundation by exploring not just why we pray, but how we approach God when we pray. While prayer may remain active in our lives, something can quietly shift — prayer becomes burdensome, anxious, and restless instead of peaceful and anchoring.

Drawing from Philippians 4:4–7, Pastor Catherine highlighted that the issue is often not the absence of prayer, but the misalignment of prayer. Paul’s exhortation was not written from comfort, but from prison — a place of confinement, uncertainty, and pressure. Yet it was from there that Paul demonstrated a prayer life marked by joy, peace, and trust in God.

To help realign our hearts, Pastor Catherine introduced the A.C.T.S. framework — not as a formula, but as a spiritual practice that guides us back to God.

Adoration

Prayer begins with lifting our eyes to God. Paul’s instruction to “rejoice in the Lord always” reminds us that prayer starts with focus, not requests. Adoration shifts our attention away from magnified problems and back to the presence of God. When God becomes the centre of our vision again, perspective is restored, and our hearts are realigned to who He is — near, present, and faithful.

Confession

Confession clears what clogs the heart. Pastor Catherine explained that unresolved inner struggles often surface outwardly — through impatience, harshness, or strained relationships. Confession is not about condemnation, but grace. It is the act of agreeing with God that we need His mercy and surrendering areas of control, self-reliance, and hidden sin. Through confession, our hearts are cleansed and restored, making room for God’s peace to flow again.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is not reserved for answered prayers. Paul intentionally included thanksgiving as part of prayer because it is an expression of trust. Gratitude reminds us of God’s past faithfulness and anchors our confidence in what He will do. While fear fixates on problems, thanksgiving redirects our focus to God’s provision, breaking cycles of anxiety and strengthening faith.

Supplication

Supplication is the act of entrusting our needs to God. Though God already knows our needs, making our requests known is an act of surrender. It is a deliberate transfer — casting our burdens onto God with intention and trust. Supplication teaches us to stop carrying what God never intended us to bear alone.

The Result: God’s Peace

When prayer flows through adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication, Paul promises a supernatural outcome — the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. This peace does not eliminate every storm, but it stands guard over our hearts and minds like a garrison, protecting us from fear, anxiety, and inner turmoil.

Pastor Catherine concluded by reminding the church that A.C.T.S. is not a shortcut or technique, but a posture of the heart. Prayer, when practised rightly, realigns us with God’s will, deepens trust, and allows us to live anchored in His peace.

God is inviting His people not just to pray more, but to pray differently — from a place of trust, surrender, and assurance in Him.