Types and Methods of Prayer

The Bible tells us we are to pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17). That doesn’t mean we are going to be speaking prayers all day long everywhere we go. It simply means we are to have an open line of communication to the Father at all times- conscious of His presence and quick to converse with Him throughout the day. Prayer is the vital and exciting means of involving God in our lives. There are a number of types of prayer and methods of prayer that we can use. Let’s discuss a few of them today.

First and most important is the prayer of salvation. Without it, we have not established a relationship with the Lord and therefore any other prayer we might offer will be of no effect. According to Romans 10:9-10, when we ask Jesus to be our Savior and Lord by believing that God raised Him from the dead and confessing with our mouths that He is Lord, verse 13 says we are saved. This means we are reconciled to God- we have a personal relationship with Him and we have received Jesus’ gift of eternal life.

Once we have been born again, we should pray the prayer to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This prayer asks God to immerse us in the Holy Spirit and empower us by His Spirit. When we ask for this, we have physical evidence that we have received it- we get a supernatural prayer language- tongues. We simply ask for the Holy Spirit to fill us, believe that we have received it, and open our mouths and speak in our new language. The baptism of the Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses for Jesus.

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:13 (KJV)

Romans 8:26 says that when we pray in tongues, the Holy Spirit helps us to pray- particularly when we don’t know what we should pray. Praying in tongues is the perfect prayer. Because our natural mind doesn’t know what is being prayed, we can’t mess it up with human reasoning and logic. We can pray in either our natural language or in tongues. However, praying for ourselves and others in tongues allows us to pray God’s perfect will for any situation.

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. I Corinthians 14:2 (KJV)

Another type of prayer is the prayer of petition, which is a prayer where we make a specific request. We must always base this on the Word of God, praying in line with His will. We are to pray the promise that we find in the Word about our situation, and not pray the problem. And after we have made our request, we believe it has been granted, staying in faith by speaking only words that agree with our request. We must be vigilant to not cancel out our prayer request by speaking words that contradict or undermine what we are believing God for.

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 (KJV)

The prayer of thanksgiving is a type of prayer where we reinforce what we have asked for by thanking God that it has come to pass- even before we see it manifest in the natural world. It is good to thank God that He has heard and answered our prayers. Thanking God keeps us in faith and keeps us from complaining.

The prayer of forgiveness of sins is when we, as believers, confess a sin we have committed and ask God to forgive us. When we come to the Lord in repentance, He will always forgive His children.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 (KJV)

Prayer of intercession is when we pray on behalf of others.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. I Timothy 2:1-4 (KJV)

The final one I want to mention is the prayer of agreement. When we pray in unity with others, agreeing for the same outcome, that is the prayer of agreement. There is more power when we partner up with others in prayer.

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:19 (KJV)

We have discussed only a portion of the types and methods of prayer. I encourage you to search the scriptures and allow God to reveal more to you. Prayer is the most powerful thing we can do as Christians because it involves God in our situation and gives Him access to work in the earth. Whatever need you have, pray about it, and God is faithful to answer.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 (KJV)

Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life. Philippians 4:6 (The Passion Translation, TPT)

Make your life a prayer. I Thessalonians 5:17 (The Passion Translation, TPT)