"Prayer Power"
by Petey Prater

September 2006

5 Types of Prayer

A cloud of powder and its pungent aroma filled the air as I walked into the bathroom. Every surface was covered with white talcum. And smack in the middle of it all, dusting her naked little body with a powder puff, was our 3 year old daughter.

“What are you doing, honey,” I asked.

“I’m getting all ‘fumed up for daddy,” she replied.

She wanted to smell sweet to please her daddy. The Psalmist speaks of “prayer set forth as incense” before Father God, a fragrant odor in His nostrils. (Ps. 141:2)

5 Types of Prayer

The Bible tells of five types of prayer: supplication, intercession, thanksgiving, confession, and praise.

· 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. (1 Tim. 2:1,2)

· 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)

· Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. (Ps. 146:1)

Hand - y Prayer

Here is an easy way to remember how to pray. Hold up your right hand, palm pointing away from you, back of your hand to your face. You see your thumb and 4 fingers.

Your thumb is Praise. Your thumb is the strongest member on your hand. Praise should be strong in your life. Praise God for His character, for who He is. Read through the Bible, starting with the Psalms. Write down the names of God, and praise Him for what those names mean to you.

Your pointer or index finger is Confession. Our pointer finger points and accuses others. Point it at yourself instead and confess your sins. Tell Him you are sorry. Ask Jesus to help you not to sin again. Confess the things you should have done and didn’t do, as well as the wrongs that you did do. Thank Him and receive His forgiveness.

Your middle finger is Thanksgiving. It is the longest. The longest and the strongest should be Thanksgiving and Praise. Thank God for all the wonderful things He does for you and for others. He is the source of all goodness.

Your ring finger is Intercession. Your ring finger reminds you of relationship with others. Intercessory prayer mediates, stands in, identifies and prays for the needs of others, at home and around the world.

Your littlest finger is Supplication. Supplicate (pray) for yourself last. Supplication is a prayer offering specific requests. Supplication is steadfast and unceasing, believing until the answers come.

God depends upon His people to pray so that His work on earth will go forward. Nothing spiritual happens until someone prays and believes God for that need.

Prayer is the most rewarding, exciting thing you will ever do. You are face to face with the Living God, in intimate conversation, sharing His secrets! Prayer will change you forever.

Years ago I read a little poem that went something like this:

Pray on, pray on

Dear friend of God, you cannot be too bold.

For you, His precious life, He gave

What else would He withhold?

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Petey Prater is a Beaverton, OR, USA writer and speaker. She can be reached at donprater@juno.com. She writes devotionals and poetry and has also contributed to three books:

Prayers for Troubled Times compiled by Jeannie St John Taylor, AMG Publishers and

101 Stories of Answered Prayer by Jeannie St John Taylor, AMG Publishers.