Talking Point – March 2026

Prayer

IT IS WELL-ESTABLISHED that prayer has a profound beneficial impact on many people’s well-being, and particularly their mental health. It goes to the heart of the Christian gospel of good news and is typified by Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, surrounding his submission to and acceptance of His father’s will, as he faces suffering, humiliation and the pain of the cross.
There is an acrostic about prayer – the first letters of each point spell the word ACTS:

● Adoration for all God is, including his holiness, love and mercy and has done in creation, at the cross in taking on himself all the sin of the world past, present and future, the resurrection that showed he has power over death, and his ascension to heaven where he reigns.

● Confession, as John says in his epistle, ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness’.

● Thanksgiving for all he has done in our lives and those of others in providing for our needs, for healing and being with us.

● Supplication: praying for the needs of the world in all its turmoil, confusion and fear and for our churches, families, world colleagues and friends, and not least ourselves.

There are many model prayers set out in the Bible, the most famous being the Lord’s Prayer, where Jesus in prayer follows the pattern of ACTS and above all prays to His Father, ‘Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’. God wants us to pray because prayer expresses our trust in God and is a means whereby our trust in him can increase. Praying in humble dependence also indicates that we are genuinely convinced of God’s wisdom, love, goodness, and power. ‘Our Father who art in heaven’ – acknowledges our dependence on God as a loving and wise Father and recognises that he rules over all. Jesus says, ‘If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him’ (Luke Chapter 11 verse 13). ‘Whatever you ask for in prayer you will receive it if you have faith’. (Matthew Chapter 21 verse 22, Mark Chapter 11 verse 24 and James Chapter 1 verses 6-8,14-15).
He desires that we love him and have fellowship with him, as well as trusting him. He wants us to be engaged with him in the activities and work of his kingdom. Prayer changes the way God acts. James tells us in his letter, ‘You don’t have because you don’t ask’. Jesus says, ‘Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds and to him who knocks it will be opened’.
‘If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land’ (2 Chronicles Chapter 7 verse 14). What a great prayer for our nation in all the uncertainty we face in the world today.
As we move into this season of Lent, take time to pray, to hold yourself still in the presence of God, and praise him, give thanks too and pray for the needs of others and yourselves.
May God bless you.
David Steed, Elder at Grace Church, Caversham