topic: DIFFERENT KINDS OF PRAYER
A. Introduction
In lesson 1, we covered the following.
1) We Defined prayer… To be effective in the adventure of prayer you must be able to define prayer.
2) Explained how prayer is answered…prayer not monologue, it’s a dialogue, so you should expect an answer from God when you pray.
3) Summarized the role of prayer in the life of Jesus Christ…He is our role model
4) Identified the three levels of prayer…. It is important for every Christian prayer life to progressively grow and increase.
OUR KEY SCRIPTURE WAS: Matthew 7:7-8
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.
TODAY’S TOPIC;- DIFERENT KINDS OF PRAYER
SCRIPTURE; Ephesians 6:18 KJV - Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
a) “Use every kind of prayer.” (Goodspeed )
b) “Pray.with all manner of prayer.” (AMP)
c) “Pray...with all kinds of prayers....” (NIV )
d) “Pray...with all kinds of prayers that are available for you to use....” (REV)
But before we proceed, I want to talk to us on 25 Reasons Why Every Christian’s Prayer Life Must Progressively Grow and Increase and its benefits.
1. Jesus left us an example of the value and importance of prayer (Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12, 5:16, 9:18; John 17).
2. The apostles left us an example of prayer and intercession (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 4:31; 6:4; 12:5 13:3; 16:3; 21:5).
3. Prayer keeps us spiritually fit and alert. Spiritual watchfulness is only accomplished through prayer (Matthew 26:41; Luke 21:34-36; Jude 30).
4. Prayer is one of Gods means for receiving joy (John 16:23-24; Acts 16:25; James 1).
5. Prayer enables us to receive wisdom and the mind of God (Luke 6:12-13; Acts 1:24; 10:9; 13:3; 14:23; James 1:5).
6. Prayer transforms us into the image of Christ (Luke 9:28-29).
7. Prayer moves the hand of God, to work in the affairs of men (Exodus 3:7, 14:10-11, 10:15; Acts 12:5; James 5:7).
8. Prayer expresses our dependence upon God (Zechariah 4:6; John 15:5).
9. Through prayer, we find freedom from worry (Zechariah 4:6, Phil 4:6-7; I Peter 5:7-8).
10. Prayer unleashes the power and blessing of God (2 Chronicles 6:7; Acts 1-2).
11. Prayer is the means to know Jesus intimately (Colossians 1:9; Philippians 3:10; Jude 20-21).
12. Prayer is the basic means God uses to meet our needs, spiritually and physically (Matthew 7:7; John 14:13-14; 15:7; 16:23-24).
13. PRAYER brings supernatural assistance!
14. PRAYER is access to the impossible (Matthew 9:23; 19:26)!
15. PRAYER is the place of meeting with God!
16. PRAYER is fellowship around the throne (Heb 4:16)!
17. PRAYER is talking to God about people (respectfully with love, never accusing but forgiving)!
18. PRAYER is connecting with God!
19. PRAYER keeps us from temptation (Luke 24)!
20. PRAYER builds us up and keeps us in the love of God!
21. PRAYER brings divine adjustments that take place to allow us to fulfill God?s call!
22. PRAYER sensitizes us to God?s leading and empowers us!
23. PRAYER brings God?s will into the earth!
24. PRAYER is making altars and vows before God that release change in our lives!
25. PRAYER is the foundation of Christian victory!
B. Diferent Kinds Of Prayer
Ephesians 6:18 KJV - Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
“Keys” Illustration – “Different Keys unlock Different Doors. I cannot use the same key on every door.
• PICTURE YOURSELF TRYING TO USE THE SAME KEY TO GET INTO EVERY PLACE!
1. Prayer Of Thanksgiving –
When you simply recount and thank the Lord for the things He has done for you.
Psalm 100:4 KJV - Enter into his gates with thanksgiving
The Bible teaches that the first step to entering His presence is THANKSGIVING!
Ephesians 5:20 KJV - Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Don’t count your liabilities or problems. Count your blessings before the Lord… aloud in prayer and/or by making a written list for what you are grateful to Him. Thank God often… daily… aloud.
Giving thanks can release great miracles, Example;
a) Feeding of the 5,000 men(John 6:11).
b) Rraising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:41).
2. Prayer Of Praise –
When you extol God’s virtues, and boldly compliment Him, boast on Him, and talk Him up… ALOUD!
Hebrews 13:15 KJV - By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
† The Bible teaches that the second step to entering His presence is PRAISE!
† Psalm 100:4 KJV - Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
a. Praise silences the devil and paralyzes his activity against your life.
Psalm 8:2 KJV - Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
Matthew 21:16 KJV - … And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
b. Praise puts your enemies in chains
Psalms 149:6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two edged sword in their hand; vs 7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
Vs 8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
Vs 9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD
c. Praise attracts Gods presense Ps 22;3
d. Praise makes the enemy to flee 2 chron 20;22
e. Praise leaves no room for complaining and negativity Ps 103; 2-4
3. Prayer of Forgiveness –
When you have been hurt or offended by another.
Mark 11:25-26 KJV - And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Jesus stated over and over again in His teachings on prayer, the NECESSITY of forgiving our offenders..
He connected our Vertical Relationship to Him with our Horizontal Relationships to other people. The vertical impacts the horizontal and vice versa
We must forgive those who have offended us:
a) Directly -or- Indirectly,
b) On Purpose -or- By Accident,
c) By Commission -or- By Omission,
d) By Word -or- By Deed,
e) To Our Face -or- Behind Our Back.
† THE TREE OF HATRED:
Step One – An offence occurs which automatically triggers either active anger or passive anger.
Step Two – If not dealt with in prayer before bedtime, that anger turns into a “Seed of Unforgiveness” by morning. (See Eph 4:26)
Step Three – If that seed of unforgiveness is not uprooted in prayer soon, this seed grows deeper into the heart as a “Root of Bitterness.” (See Heb 12:15)
Step Four - If that root of bitterness is not dealt with, it grows into a “Tree of Hatred” and begins to infect everyone around us.
Step Five – If that Hatred is not dealt with, we produce the “Fruit of Murder” by assassinating our own personality and/or assassinating the relationships of those around us.
† According to Jesus, Peter and Paul, UNFORGIVENESS is “Enemy Number one” of our Prayer Life.
4. Prayer of confession
A prayer of confession is repenting and asking forgiveness for sin:
“If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9
John, the beloved disciple, warns us against an attitude of innocence before a holy God. To say that we have nothing to confess to God is to call Him a liar, and to practice selfdeception before our Maker.
REGARDING INIQUITY IN MY HEART
"If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me." Psalm 66:18.
To regard iniquity means;… to leave it alone,… to tolerate it…, to know it is there and do nothing about it…. It is to hide it,… to cover it by excuses,… to consider it unimportant…, to ignore its dangers.
WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR SIN
a) Conviction;….. is seeing sin as exceedingly sinful.
b) Repentance;…. is "Agreeing with God about my sin," and turning from it.
c) Confession;…. is exposing it to God & asking Him to forgive and cleanse.
What happens to confessed sins?
1. They were paid in full - Romans 5:11 / Isaiah 53:6
2. They were forgiven/pardoned – 1 John 1:9
3. They were laid on him – Isaiah 53:6
4. They were washed whiter than snow – Isaiah 1:18
5. They were covered – Psalm 32:1
6. They were cleansed by blood of Jesus – Hebrews 9:22/ 10:4
7. They were blotted out – Isaiah 44:22
8. They were removed as far as east from west – Psalm 103:12
9. They were cast in depths of sea – Micah 7:19
10. They were forever forgotten – Jeremiah 31:34
Read Psalm 51 and Psalm 139 as part of your confession of sin.
5. Prayer of Agreement –
When you seem to need another believer to help you get hold of God, or when you offer to agree in prayer to help another believer receive an answer from God.
Matthew 18:19 KJV - 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. 20 for where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
The Bible teaches That if one can put a thousand to flight; two can put ten thousand to flight. So when two believers agree in prayer over something, the power to bring it to pass has been multiplied by the power of ten, not just doubled.
6. United Prayer
When a group of believers all lift up their voices together aloud towards a common end, but with their own individual prayers.
Acts 4:24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is… …29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
7. Prayer of Petition
Prayers of petition are requests……. (a formal request or written request)
Requests must be made according to the will of God as revealed in His written Word.
8. Prayer of Supplication –
When ordinary petition just doesn’t give you the release or results you need.
Hebrews 5:7 KJV – Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.
Supplication is simply a more fervent and desperate form of petition.
Sometimes our hearts cannot get sufficient release by petition alone.
Supplication is a more powerful and emotional form of petition that is more forceful.
It’s not that you are having to twist the Father’s arm to give it to you; rather it’s your flesh and the forces of darkness that are trying to hinder your answer.
The father is not reluctant to give anything to you; but sometimes your own flesh and demonic forces are fighting hard. Daniel 10: 12-13 KJV - Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
When Distressed and Under Pressure: “Supplicate or Suffocate – It’s Your Choice!”
9. Prayer in the Spirit
The Apostle Paul clearly defined “speaking in tongues” as praying “in the spirit.” (1 Co 14:2)
a. Speaking and praying in tongues brings rest and spiritual refreshment
Isaiah 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people….vs12To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
b. Supernatural edification 1 Cor 14;4 jude 20
c. Supernatural communication to God 1 Cor 14;2
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.
d. makes you understand the bible as you read it john 16;13
e. Assistance against demonic attacks, spirits, oppression and strategy Eph 6;18
f. Tongues is the "Sharing Divine Secrets" (“mysteries”) between your heart and God’s. (1 Co 14:2)
– In Mark 16:17 KJV, Jesus said, …they shall speak with new tongues. Jesus said this!!!
10. Prayers of Fellowship –
When you’re soul just craves companionship and friendship with the Lord.
Prayer without asking. Having fellowship with the Lord.
We can offer prayers and ask for nothing at all,but spend time in the Lord’s presence just connecting with Him.
When we sit in His presence, we are still in an attitude of prayer but instead of asking, we are listening.
a) Many times the Lord has a word of encouragement for us,
b) sometimes He wants to teach us about something in the Bible,
c) sometimes He wants to speak to us about serving Him and what to do next, or
d) He wants to give us an instruction.
e) Sometimes He wants to explain why we need to wait for the answer to a particular prayer
f) if we never just sit and listen, then we will never hear His voice.
Listening to God without asking for anything is more important than serving Him or continually speaking to Him.
Mary used to sit and listen while Martha chose to serve without listening, and Jesus said
Mary had the best part of the fellowship with Him (Luke 10:39 to 42).
Mature Christians usually hear from the Lord but young Christians often do not. We are likened to sheep. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice. I know them and they follow Me” (John 10:27).
11. Prayer of Commitment –
When you are plagued with worry, fear, and trying too hard in your mind to handle a
situation.
This prayer is also called the prayer of casting your cares on the Lord or “ stress relieving prayer”
Psalm 55:22 KJV - Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
1 Peter 5:6-7 KJV - Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7 AMP - Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, Casting the *whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, *once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you *watchfully. [Ps 55:22.]
Worry is an accidental attempt to play God. When you worry, you are telling God, “I will handle this one myself. I do not believe You are big enough or smart enough to handle this!”
12. Prayer of Consecration –
When you are sincerely seeking God’s Will over a decision you may be facing.
This is the prayer that Jesus offered before going to the cross
Luke 22:42 KJV - Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thane, is done.
† Romans 12: 1-2 NIV - Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
This is the only kind of prayer where the phrase “…if it be thy will” should be included.
The prayer of consecration is used when you are placing your will in neutral and earnestly seeking God’s preference concerning a decision or the direction you should take in your life, ministry, career, geographic location, marriage, business opportunity, etc.
13. Prayer Of Intercession –
Praying for another in private from a distance, or in person face to face with them.
Ezekiel 22:30 KJV – And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
Intercession is Standing in the Gap, Making up the Hedge, “Soaking” Another in Prayer.
† Romans 8: 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
† 1 Timothy 2:1-6 KJV - 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. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
James 5: 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
14. Prayer of binding and loosing ?? Prayer of Authority
When you need to take authority over the devil to get him off your back or out of your situation, or off someone else! –
Matthew 18: 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Mark 16:17 KJV - And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils…
1 Peter 5:8-9 KJV - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
James 4:7 KJV - 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Binding can mean to literally tie or bind up, or it can mean to declare unlawful or improper.
15. Prayer Of Faith –
The prayer of faith is boldly speaking a command of faith against a problem… ALOUD! –
Mark 11:22-23 KJV - And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
Dr. Tg Badia
