Prayer Matters

Adoration is the act of worshipping God for who He is.

• This type of prayer focuses on God’s character, attributes, and His majesty.
• It involves expressing love, reverence, worship, and awe towards God.
• An example of adoration is found in Psalm 95:6-7, which says, “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.”
• The Lord’s prayer begins with adoration: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name.”

Confession involves acknowledging and repenting—turning from one’s sins before God.

• This type of prayer is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship with God, as it allows believers to seek forgiveness and cleansing.
• An example of confession is found in Psalm 51:1-2, where David prays, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
• Repenting as quickly as the Holy Spirit makes you aware of sin is important in the development of an intimate relationship with the Father.

• Our lips should drip with words of thanksgiving for all God has done and is doing in our lives.
• Express gratitude for His blessings, provision, and faithfulness. Doing so creates in us a grateful heart and makes us aware that all things in our lives work for our good and God’s glory.
• An example of thanksgiving is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which instructs, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

• Petitions are prayers involving requests to God for oneself.
• Prayers concerning one’s personal needs, desires, and concerns to God, trusting His guidance.
• An example of petition is found in Philippians 4:6, which says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your request to God.”
• Praying scriptures that express your needs and desires allows you to pray in alignment with God’s will for your life.

• Intercession is the act of praying for others.
• Intercessory prayer involves lifting up the needs of others to the Father. Such prayers may be for healing, salvation, and blessings in their lives.
• An example of intercession can be seen in 1 Timothy 2:1, which encourages, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, and intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.”
• An intercessor must be in right standing with the Father in order to pray effectively on the part of others. An intercessor is always seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit in order to pray prayers in alignment with God’s word.

• Praise is similar to adoration, however, emphasizes celebrating God’s goodness and mighty works in our lives.
• This type of prayer focuses on acknowledging and declaring God’s greatness, power, miracles, and faithfulness.
• An example of praise is found in Psalm 150:1-2, which says, “Praise the Lord, Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness.”
• Praise for God’s steadfastness and faithfulness should always be on the lips of Christians. Print off a list of scriptures that focus on praise and read/pray them often.

• Meditation involves reflecting on God’s word and His attributes, for the purpose of developing a deeper understanding and intimacy with Him.
• This type of prayer requires quiet contemplation and listening for God’s voice. It requires making time to be still in God’s presence.
• An example of meditation is found in Joshua 1:8, which instructs, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; mediate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
• Meditating on God’s word brings peace and allows one to bask in the presence of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

• Corporate prayers involve praying together with other believers.
• Corporate prayer fosters unity, encouragement, and provides the opportunity to pray in agreement with other believers, as you collectively seek God’s will.
• An example of corporate prayer is found in Acts 2:42, which describes the early church, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”