Connecting With Jesus

TYPES OF PRAYERS

There are different types of prayer you may use in different occasions/settings. Some of the types of prayer include:

*Intercessory prayer.*

This is when you pray on behalf of someone else who is in need. Whether it’s spiritual or physical, intercession is praying that God will work in their life.

An example of this type of prayer is when Abraham pleads with God for the city of Sodom (Genesis 18:16-33). Or when Moses prayed that his sister Miriam would be healed (Numbers 12:13). Another time was when he stood between the gap for the Israelites when they had worshipped the golden calf (Exodus 32:11,14). Moses was praying for God to have mercy on the Israelites!

These examples are all glimpses of the ultimate intercessor. “…Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us” (Romans 8:34, NASB). Jesus prayed in John 17, not only interceding for His disciples but, for everyone who would believe in Him through their word. His desire was for them to be saved; to experience unity with God and with each other (John 17:21).

Why intercessory prayer is important for the Christian today is because when we pray for others, we are asking for God to work in their life. This can be a way in which believers can join Christ in His work of saving souls for eternity. Paul exhorts Timothy, “…that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men” (1 Timothy 2:1, NKJV).

Not only is it a privilege to intercede for others, but it is a duty that God gives to Christians. Today we can intercede for family members, friends and colleagues. We can pray for God to work in their lives, bringing them to salvation.

Sad woman crying next to her friend who is comforting her.

*Prayers of forgiveness.*

This is when you come to God with a sincere and repentant heart and ask for His forgiveness for your sins.

We see this so clearly in the life of David when he prayed and sought forgiveness from God. He said, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” (Psalms 51:10-12, ESV).

When Daniel was praying to God, confused about a vision and prophecy, he pleaded for forgiveness. He realized that sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1,2), but through forgiveness we can find peace, understanding, and guidance.

“O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name” (Daniel 9:19, NKJV).

Paul’s writes to the church of Colossae and encourages them to bear “…with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Colossians 3:13, NKJV).

It brings great joy to our heavenly Father for us to experience His forgiveness. And we can also experience a calming joy when we forgive those who do wrong to us.

Praying for forgiveness is so important for Christians today. In the journey of sanctification and becoming more like Christ, there will always be times when we mess up (Proverbs 24:16). It’s through seeking and receiving God’s forgiveness we learn to yield to His authority (Psalms 130:4) and find grace for victory in the Christian life (1 Corinthians 15:57).

A group of people at a church praying for someone with their hands on him.

*Corporate prayer*

is when you’re praying with a group of people unified in one accord. This may be when the family comes together to pray, perhaps during worship.

We find a prominent example of this when the apostles came together in preparation for the day of Pentecost. “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers… When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place” (Acts 1:14; 2:1, NKJV).

In the life of Christ we find He saw importance in corporate prayer. “Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray” (Luke 9:28, NKJV).

Praying together with others leads to revival (2 Chronicles 7:14). And in doing so we, “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2).

Young man standing by the window with his eyes closed.

*Secret prayer or personal prayer*

is when you pray alone. This prayer is the most important prayer for the Christian. It is the strength and life of the soul.

For, when we come with our lives opened to Him, the Bible says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3, NKJV). We can lift our prayers to God in the secret place or when we are walking in the street.

If there’s a perfect example of secret prayer, it’s in the life of Jesus. He constantly would be taking the time to find a secluded place and call upon the Father (Mathew 14:13; Luke 5:16, 6:12, 22:41,42). Even in the busiest or most distressing times, Christ could be found in prayer.

This is a strong message for us today. You can pray a silent prayer in the busiest of circumstances. And you can know God inclines His ear to your petitions (Psalm 116:2). When we pray, we receive power for the Christian life. By abiding in prayer throughout the day, we can walk with Christ and bear fruit to His glory (John 15:4, 5).