Luke 18:1 GNB Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to teach them that they should always pray and never become discouraged.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 CEV Always be joyful (17) and never stop praying.
Today, we are going to continue looking at the different types of prayer and the principles that apply to them.
John Wesley said, “It seems God is limited by our prayer life – that He can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him.”
Ephesians 6:18 NIV And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
The Amplified Bible says, “Pray… will all manner of prayer.”
Goodspeed’s translation says, Use EVERY KIND OF PRAYER and entreaty, and at every opportunity pray in the Spirit…”
The most effective kind of prayer is the one the Holy Spirit deems necessary at the moment.
Different Types of Prayer:
- The Prayer of Faith – prayer of petition, prayer to change things.
Mark 11:24 NKJV Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
- The Prayer of Consecration – the dedication of our lives to God’s use and His will for our lives.
Luke 22:41-42 NKJV And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, (42) saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
- The Prayer of Commitment – casting your cares upon the Lord in prayer.
1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, (7) casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
- The Prayer of Agreement.
Matthew 18:19-20 NKJV “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. (20) For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
- Praying In the Spirit – praying in other tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:14-15 NLT For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying. (15) Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.
- Corporate or United Prayer
Acts 4:23-24 NKJV And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. (24) So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
Acts 4:31 NKJV And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
- Prayer of Intercession – standing in the gap in prayer between a person or persons, to plead one’s case
Romans 8:34 NKJV Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 NKJV Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, (2) for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
- The Prayer of Praise and Worship – (the highest form of prayer)
Luke 24:52-53 NKJV And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, (53) and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
What is the difference between praise and worship?
- Praise – The natural response to the acts, works, deeds and promises of God.
Praise is a demonstration of faith and also boosts our faith in what the Lord can and will do for us.
- Worship – Our adoration expressed to God because of Who He is.
John 4:23-24 NKJV But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. (24) God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Literally, to kiss toward someone, to throw a kiss in token of respect or homage. The ancient oriental (especially Persian) mode of salutation between persons of equal ranks was to kiss each other on the lips; when the difference of rank was slight, they kissed each other on the cheek; when one was much inferior, he fell upon his knees and touched his forehead to the ground or prostrated himself, throwing kisses at the same time toward the superior. It is this latter mode of salutation that Gr. writers express by proskunéō.
Proskuneo – meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand); to fawn or crouch to, that is, (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore): – worship.