Different types of prayers

1. Differenttypesof prayers – 23rd
April 2016
“‘Ifyou can’?” saidJesus.“Everythingis possibleforone who believes.” (Mark 9:23).
The Bible revealsmanytypesof prayersandemploysavarietyof wordstodescribe the practice.For
example, 1Timothy2:1 says, “Firstofall,then, I urge that supplications,prayers,intercessions,and
thanksgivingsbemade for all people.” Here,all fourof the mainGreekwordsusedforprayer are
mentionedinone verse.Here are the maintypesof prayersinthe Bible:
The prayer offaith: Thisisgenerallyaprayerofferedinfaithforsomeone whoissick,askingGodto
heal.We can learnfrom James5:15, “Andthe Prayer of Faithshall save the sick, and the LORD shall
raise himup; and ifhe have committed sins,they shall be forgivenhim" . The onlyverse inScripture
that containsthe phrase, "Prayerof Faith", isfoundas above inJames5:15. Thoughspokenof onlyonce,
the prayertitle conveysanassurance of successin prayer.The convictionthatlife,if livedwithFaithin
God, rewardswithanEternityspentinGod's presence,encouragesustobelievethatFaithaccomplishes
whateveritsetsoutto do. "Forwhatsoever isborn of Godovercometh the world: and this is the
victory that overcometh the world,even our Faith" (1 John5:4). Withthe Promise of victory
beforehand, prayerlinkedbyFaiththatis foundedinGodassuresitself tobe bothrewardingand
excitingin "exploits"forGod. "The peoplethat do know their Godshall be strong, anddo exploits"
(Daniel 11:32).When we pray, insteadof simply recitingamemorizedprayer, we are requiredtohave
faithand believe inthe powerandgoodnessof God.We can learnthrough Mark 9:23,“If you can’?”
saidJesus. “Everythingispossiblefor one who believes.”
The prayer of agreement This is also known as corporate prayer:AfterJesus’ascension,the disciples
joinedtogetherconstantlyinprayer aswe can learnfrom Acts 1:14,” They all joinedtogether
constantlyinprayer, alongwith the women and Mary the mother of Jesus,and withhis brothers”. We
can alsolearnwhenlater,afterPentecost,the earlychurch“devotedthemselves”toprayeraswe can
learnfromActs 2:42,” They devoted themselvesto the apostles’teachingandto fellowship,tothe
breakingof bread andto prayer”. Theirexample encouragesustopray withothers. The prayer of
requestor supplication:As Christianswe mustalwayslearn totake our requeststoGod. We can learn
of Godsstrengthfor Hisprovision in Philippians4:6,“Do not be anxiousaboutanything,butin every
situation,byprayer and petition,with thanksgiving,presentyourrequests to God.” Part of winningthe
spiritual battle is ourknowledge of Godsstrengthandbyprayingat all timesinthe Spirit,withprayer
and supplication.We canlearnthisin Ephesians6:18, “Andpray inthe Spiriton all occasionswithall
kindsof prayers and requests.With thisin mind,be alert and alwayskeep on prayingfor all the Lord’s
people”.
The prayer of thanksgivingwhich is another type of prayerfor thanksgivingorthankstoGod as we can
learnfromPhilippians4:5,“Withthanksgivingletyour requests be made knownto God.” Many
examplesof thanksgivingprayerscanbe foundinthe Psalms. The prayer of worship: The prayer of
worshipissimilartothe prayerof thanksgiving.The difference isthatworshipfocusesonwhoGodis;
thanksgivingfocusesonwhatGodhas done.ChurchleadersinAntiochprayedinthismannerwith
fasting:“Whiletheywere worshipingtheLord and fasting,the HolySpirit said,‘Set apart for me
Barnabasand Saul for the work to whichI have calledthem.’ Then after fastingandprayingthey laid

2. their handson them and sent them off” (Acts13:2-3).The prayer of consecration: Sometimes,prayeris
a time of settingourselvesaparttofollow God’swill.Jesusmade suchaprayerthe nightbefore His
crucifixion:“Andgoingalittlefartherhe fell on hisface and prayed,saying,‘My Father, ifit be
possible,let thiscup passfrom me; nevertheless, not as I will,but as youwill’” (Matthew26:39).
The prayer of intercession:Manytimes,ourprayersinclude requestsforothersaswe intercede for
them.We are toldto make intercession“foreveryone” aswe cvan learnfrom 1 Timothy2:1, “I urge,
then, firstof all,that petitions,prayers, intercessionandthanksgivingbemade for all people” Jesus
servesasour example inthisarea.The whole of John17 isa prayer of Jesusonbehalf of Hisdisciples
and all believers. The prayer of imprecation: These prayers arefound in the Psalms (e.g., 7, 55, 69). They are
used to invoke God’s judgment on the wicked and thereby avenge the righteous.The psalmists usethi s type of
appeal to emphasize the holiness of God and the surety of His judgment. Jesus teaches us to pray for blessingon
our enemies, We can learn this in Matthew 5:44-45,” But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the
good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous”.
In additiontoabove the Bible alsospeaksof prayingin the Spirit as we can learnfrom 1 Corinthians
14:14-15, “For ifI pray in a tongue,my spirit prays,but my mindis unfruitful. 15
Sowhatshall I do? I
will pray with my spirit,but I will alsopray with my understanding;Iwill singwith my spirit,but I will
alsosingwith my understanding”. We canalso learnof prayers whenwe are unable tothinkof
adequate words.Inthose timesthe SpiritHimself makesintercessionforusas we can learnfrom
Romans8:26-27, “ In the same way, the Spirithelps usin our weakness. We donot know what we
oughtto prayfor, but the Spirit himselfintercedesfor us throughwordless groans. 27
Andhe who
searches our hearts knows the mindof the Spirit,because the Spirit intercedes for God’speoplein
accordance withthe will ofGod”.
Prayeris ourconversationwithGodand shouldbe made withoutceasing like inthe case of one’sown
children.Noparentwouldliketheirchildrentobe distancedfromthemandtherefore alwaysdesiresa
close andpersonal relationshipwiththem.Godourfathertoo desiresthis fromusand on a continuous
and ongoingbasis.We can learnthisin 1 Thessalonians5:16-18, “Rejoice always, 17
praycontinually,
18
givethanks inall circumstances;for thisis God’swill for youin ChristJesus”. As we grow in our love
for JesusChrist, asChristians we will naturallydesire totalktoHim.

3. Different
typesof
prayers…
““Ifyoucan’?” saidJesus. “Everythingis possiblefor
one who believes.” (Mark9:23).