January - Prayer

What is Prayer?

The most basic definition of prayer is “talking to God.” Prayer is not meditation or passive reflection; it is direct address to God

Prayer is a means of interacting with God, most frequently through a spontaneous, individual or collective, ‘unorganised’ form of petitioning and/or thanking Him.  It  should be a private time between God and ourselves. That does not mean that it is wrong to pray with others, but the prayers should be sincere and for the right motives, a spiritual communion with God, as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession.  Essential aspects of prayer: confession, petition, intercession, thanksgiving and praise.

The essence of prayer involves a relationship with God, focusing on aligning our desires with God's will rather than treating prayer as a transaction.

Jesus' most concentrated teaching on prayer is found in Matthew 6:5-15. The first thing Jesus said is, when we pray, we must pray to God; we must not pray to impress other people (Matthew 6:5-6). Jesus then warned his followers against using empty words when we pray (Matthew 6:7-8).

Types of prayers in the Bible:

The prayer of faith:

James 5:15 says, “And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” In this context, prayer is offered in faith for someone who is sick, asking God to heal. When we pray, we are to believe in the power and goodness of God (Mark 9:23).

The prayer of agreement: (also known as corporate prayer): 

After Jesus’ ascension, the disciples “all joined together constantly in prayer” (Acts 1:14). Later, after Pentecost, the early church “devoted themselves” to prayer (Acts 2:42). Their example encourages us to pray with others.

The prayer of request (or supplication): 

We are to take our requests to God. Philippians 4:6 teaches, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Part of winning the spiritual battle is to be “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Ephesians 6:18).

The prayer of thanksgiving: 

We see another type of prayer in Philippians 4:6: thanksgiving or thanks to God. “With thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Many examples of thanksgiving prayers can be found in the Psalms.

The prayer of worship:

The prayer of worship is similar to the prayer of thanksgiving. The difference is that worship focuses on who God is; thanksgiving focuses on what God has done. Church leaders in Antioch prayed in this manner with fasting: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:2-3).

The prayer of consecration:

Sometimes, prayer is a time of setting ourselves apart to follow God’s will. Jesus made such a prayer the night before His crucifixion: “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will’” (Matthew 26:39).

The prayer of intercession:

Many times, our prayers include requests for others as we intercede for them. We are told to make intercession “for everyone” in 1 Timothy 2:1. Jesus serves as our example in this area. The whole of John 17 is a prayer of Jesus on behalf of His disciples and all believers.

The Bible also speaks of praying in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:14-15) and prayers when we are unable to think of adequate words (Romans 8:26-27). In those times, the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us.

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