The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer. Psalm 6:9 ESV

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6 ESV

Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven. Lamentations 3:41 ESV

Prayer is a gift, the incredible ability to communicate with the Creator of everything, a pathway for praise and worship, confession and forgiveness, a way to share our feelings and laments, and an amazing interaction whereby we can receive strength, encouragement, healing, and guidance.

I have to admit that sometimes my prayers to God are all over the place; wherever my mind and thoughts take me is what I talk to the Lord about. But there are five basic types of prayer. And most of our prayers fall into one of these types.

Prayers

1. Prayers of petition – these are prayers asking for something for ourselves like strength, healing, help, and deliverance. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:8
2. Prayers of thanksgiving – prayers to thank God for all that He has done for us and all that He will do for us. Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 118:1
3. Prayers of praise – prayers that offer worship and praise to our mighty God for all He is and does for us. I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 145:1,3
4. Prayers of confession – prayers that confess our sins to the Lord and ask His forgiveness. 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
5. Prayers of intercession – prayers that we pray for others, for comfort and healing, for guidance and protection, and even for others to know the Lord and His salvation. First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people. 1 Timothy 2:1 Jesus is even interceding for us! Romans 8:34

This week as we offer our prayers to the Lord, let’s consider not only what we are praying for but perhaps think about an order. Should we start with confession or praise or thanksgiving? Or maybe just what is on our hearts? God hears them all and works all things for our good! And don’t forget that we pray but we should also take the time to listen.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we consider our gift of prayer as we communicate with our amazing God. I am also praying a prayer of intercession for each of you. Thank you so much for your readership, support, and encouragement!

Blessings and joy knowing that God hears our prayers!