Expressing gratitude is also important, even among our petitions, and perhaps especially so. As the Bible urges us, "[I]n everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God " (Phil 4:6 ESV).

A prayer structure that I have occasionally found helpful is represented by the acronym ACTS:
• Adoration: Acknowledging the character and stature of God by which we have reason and confidence to approach him to ask for help or express gratitude, e.g., he is gracious and compassionate and rules over all creation.
• Confession: Recognizing there is nothing that we deserve from God, that we have been remiss in remembering his ongoing love, etc.
• Thanksgiving: Expressing gratitude for particular things or more generally, e.g., that we are his children and he hears us.
• Supplication: Requesting what we believe to be beneficial for ourselves and others.