7 Ways How To Write A Prayer

Raised Catholic from birth, I am an ace at reciting the top 3 Catholic prayers (Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary, and Glory Be). I’ve also got no problem just talking to God conversationally, but that gets a little rambling at times.

There are times when I’d like a bit more structure to my prayer. I have done some research and come up with 7 different types of prayer structure for how to write a prayer.

A.C.T.S.

By far the most common structure for writing a prayer seems to be a method which uses the acronym ACTS: Adoration, Confession (sometimes Contrition), Thanksgiving, and Supplication.

Adoration is about telling God how much you adore, or love him. You can also use the words praise, worship, appreciate and honor to give this part of your prayer some variety.
Confession is about asking for forgiveness for all of your sins.
Thanksgiving is about thanking God for all that he has done. what you are grateful for in your live and in the world.
Supplication is about asking God for something. Healing, comfort, guidance, wisdom, strength and courage all things you might ask when praying for someone with cancer.

Simple A.C.T.S. prayer

Dear God,
We love you so much.
Forgive us for our sins.
Thank you for all of the blessings in our lives.
Please, Father, bring strength and comfort to all Your sons and daughters affected by cancer.
Amen.

R.A.P.T.

This is basically the ACTS method, but with a slightly different order. I personally like the ACTS order better for praying for others, but like this RAPT order better for praying to better myself since it starts with asking for forgiveness.

Repentance
Adoration
Petition
Thanksgiving

Simple R.A.P.T. prayer

Dear God,
Please forgive me for my sins.
I love you so much.
Please, God, give me strength to care for my husband and children.
Thank you for all of the blessings in my life.
Amen.

P.R.A.Y.

This prayer structure PRAY also has four parts, three of which are similar to above two. Instead of thanksgiving though, this prayer suggests “yield” as the fourth prayer component. This is an awesome addition to consider for cancer prayer since so many people doubt God during troubling times of illness.

Praise
Repentance
Ask
Yield is about surrendering to God’s will.

Simple P.R.A.Y. prayer

Dear God,
We love you so much.
Forgive us for our sins.
Please, Father, bring strength and comfort to all Your sons and daughters affected by cancer.
We trust in Your divine plan for our lives.
Amen.

R.U.C.A.T.

This structure, RUCAT, is a little longer, but each step builds on the previous step. It is a bit more contemporary than my Catholic roots are totally comfortable, but it makes for a very specific and cohesive prayer.

Title: This is a prayer for [subject].
R represents recognition of the power of God.
U represents unity with God.
C represents a claim for the healing needed to allow the prayer to manifest.
A represents acceptance of the manifestation of the prayer.
T represents thanking God for the answer to the prayer whether we see the answer manifested or not.
The Release of the Prayer.
Amen.

Simple R.U.C.A.T. prayer

Dear God,
This is a prayer for cancer patients.
I recognize God is the source of all healing.
All cancer patients are one with God’s healing.
I therefore claim for all cancer patients the perfect healing of their disease. May they all feel renewed and rejuvenated by the presence of God’s love in their being.
I now fully accept in consciousness by the Grace of God the complete and perfect healing of all cancer patients.
Thank you God for all your blessings and especially your response to this prayer now, whether we understand it or not.
I release this prayer into the hands of God.
Amen.

G.O.D.S. H.E.A.R.T.

This prayer is another longer prayer. It was designed to be an evangalistic prayer, but I think there are some excellent opportunities to use with cancer prayer. Many people struggle with God’s role in cancer struggles.

My husband and I both feel that his diagnosis with cancer provides many opportunities to speak to others about God that might not otherwise have presented itself.

God’s Grace
Obedience
Decide
Speak
Heart
Eyes
Attitude
Repent
Transformed

Sample G.O.D.S. H.E.A.R.T. Prayer

Dear God,
Thank you for Your grace in our lives.
I pray that we will obey Your will despite my family being affected by cancer.
Help us use this diagnosis as an opportunity to decide to tell others about You.
Give us the words to speak to others about You.
Grant that others hear those words with an open heart and see Your goodness with open eyes .
I pray for a contrite attitude and the strength to repent with all my heart.
Transform the lives of all those affected by cancer.
Amen.

B.L.E.S.S.

This BLESS prayer structure focuses on 5 aspects of a person’s life. It is a nice prayer for looking at a prayer REQUEST in a broad and holistic way.

Body
Labor
Emotional
Social
Spiritual

Sample B.L.E.S.S. Prayer

Dear God,
Heal all cancer patients’ bodies.
Provide for them financially during periods of un-employment and underemployment.
Bring each one of them peace and comfort during their illness.
Strengthen their relationships with their family and friends.
Grant them conviction in your love for them.
Amen.

Pope Francis’ 5 Finger Prayer

The 5 Finger Prayer is a great prayer not only for adults but also young children. Pope Francis wrote it before he was pope.

The thumb represents those closest to you.
The index finger represents those who teach, instruct and heal.
The middle finger represents leaders and authority figures.
The ring finger represents the weak and sick.
The pinkie represents yourself.

Sample 5 Finger Prayer

Dear God,
Please bless my husband who has cancer.
Guide his doctors during his treatments.
Lead our government to support cancer research.
Comfort all those suffering with cancer.
Help me care for my husband when he doesn’t feel well.
Amen.

How To Write A Prayer

Now that you have 7 new ways how to write a prayer, head over and pray for our cancer prayer requests listed on this website.