When my children come to me for advice, I consider it an honor to teach them what they need to know. For example, my daughter Julie had to write a poem for school not long ago. As I thought about the best way to assist her, I decided to compose a few lines to help her see how it’s done.

Jesus used the example method when His disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray. Instead of going into a long dissertation on the subject, He said, “When you pray, say, . . .” and He gave them a pattern that also included prayer principles.

That prayer has at least four elements we can learn to use when we pray: Adoration, Confession, Temptation protection, and Supplication. Let’s consider the ACTS of prayer.

Adoration: “Hallowed be Your name.” We need to give allegiance and respect to our great and awesome God.

Confession: “Forgive us our sins.” God is “faithful and just to forgive us” (1 Jn. 1:9).

Temptation protection: “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Ask for help to say no to sin.

Supplication: “Give us day by day our daily bread.” We should not be afraid to ask God for His provisions.

There’s the example. It’s up to us to follow it.