“Prayer”, A Closer Look by Reggie Koop

{Content taken from “12 Types of Prayer from the Bible”, by Janelle, https://hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/11-Types-of-Prayer-from-the-Bible}

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Psalms 100 says we are to enter God’s gates with thanksgiving.

Examples:

• Moses and the Israelites expressed thanksgiving for God delivering them from Pharaoh (Exodus 15:1-21).
• Paul prayed with thanksgiving for churches.

Prayer of Confession, Forgiveness, and Repentance

We are to confess our sins, ask for forgiveness, turn away, and repent.

Examples:

• Moses prayed for forgiveness for the Israelites’ sin of making a god out of gold (Exodus 32:31-32).
• Nehemiah confessed and repented for the sins of Israel (Nehemiah 1). Later he described Israel’s assembly of humble repentance (Nehemiah 9).
• David’s prayer of repentance for his sin with Bathsheba (Psalm 51).
• Throughout the book of Daniel, we see Daniel’s prayers of confession. He acknowledged his great God and confessed the wickedness of Israel, their departing from God’s laws, and their lack of obedience to God’s ways and laws.

Prayer of Blessing

Examples:

• Jacob’s prayed blessings over Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (Exodus 48:12-22).
• Aaron and his sons prayed blessings on the people of Israel. “The Lord bless you, keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-27
• In Deuteronomy 33, Moses blessed the 12 tribes.
• Jabez’s prayer of blessing (1 Chronicles 4:9).
• King Solomon prayed blessing over the whole congregation of Israel before dedicating the temple (1 Kings 8).

Prayer of Dedication

King Solomon dedicated the temple to the Lord (1 Kings 8).

Prayer of Intercession

Intercessory prayer is earnestly praying for a particular person or situation.

Examples:

• Abraham interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18).
• Moses interceded for the people of Israel with their grumblings and murmurings, when they sinned before the Lord (Numbers 14). He also interceded for Miriam’s healing of leprosy.
• Anna prayed and fasted, night and day, interceding for people (Luke 2:33-39).

The Lord’s Prayer

A model of how we should pray (Matthew 6).

Prayer of Agreement

Two or more believers agree on a specific thing to be prayed for.

Examples:

• Matthew 18:19
• Acts 1:14
• Acts 2:42

Prayer to Move Mountains

If you have obstacles, problems, or circumstances that seem like mountains which stand in the way, say to them, “be removed,” and cast them into the sea in the name of Jesus.

Praying in the Spirit

This is praying according to how the Holy Spirit leads you. It is not your list of needs.

Examples:

• “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” – Ephesians 6:18
• “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.” – 1 Corinthians 14:15
• “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” – Jude 20-21

Prayer of Faith

This kind of prayer is based on James 5:15 which gives instruction in taking care of the sick and praying the prayer of faith for those who are ill.

• “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” – James 5:15

Prayer of Request

These prayers are when we take our requests to God.

Examples:

• “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” – Philippians 4:6
• “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” – Ephesians 6:18

Prayer of Worship

This is similar to a prayer of thanksgiving. The prayer of worship focuses on God while the prayer of thanksgiving focuses on what God has done.

• “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” – Acts 13:2-3

Prayer of Consecration

A prayer of setting ourselves apart to follow God’s will. Jesus made such a prayer on the night of His crucifixion.

• “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” – Matthew 6:39

Prayer is conversation with God and should be made without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). As we grow in our love for Jesus, we will naturally desire to talk to Him.