- The prayer of commitment (casting cares upon the Lord) 1 Peter 5:7
- The prayer of faith (prayer that changes things) Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24
- The prayer of consecration (dedicating to God’s use) Luke 22:42
- The prayer of praise and worship. Luke 24:52-53; Acts 13:1-4
- Soaking/waiting on God (Practicing His presence) Matthew 11:28-30; Psalm 27:14
- Prayer in the Spirit (Praying in tongues) 1 Corinthians 14:14-15
- United prayer. Acts 4:23-31
- The prayer of supplication. Philippians 4:6; Ephesians 6:18
- The prayer of confession and repentance. 1 John 1:9
- Intercessory prayer. Ezekiel 22:30; 1Timothy 2:1
- Warfare prayer and authority. Exodus 15:13; Isaiah 42:13; Matthew 11:12
- Binding and loosing. Matthew 16:19; 18:18
- Groanings & travail. Isaiah 42:14; Galatians 4:19; Romans 8:22-27
- The prayer of agreement Matthew 18:19-20
other tracks or methods of prayer include: - The Lord’s prayer Matthew 6:9-13
- Tabernacle prayer
- Ripple prayer
As can be seen from the list above, prayer is a vast subject. It is at its very heart the place of entrance and exploration of the endless and eternal Person of God. As such, it is impossible to quantify or comprehend fully. As so many have said, “the only way to learn to pray is to pray.” Prayer is so intensely personal, and in many ways unique to the individual, just as any deep relationship is.
I think that the principles we outline in the following sessions will indeed inform the student, but like any doorway, if one does not choose to step through, what lies beyond remains a mystery. Our encouragement to you, wherever you are on the journey, is that you choose to step through and develop this wonderful art and privilege you have been called into.
Levels of prayer
Scripture also shows us that there are different levels of prayer. We can engage in most of the kinds of prayer listed above, but with practice can move beyond immature exercise of the principles into a deeper and more mature expression.
Jesus Himself spoke of different ‘kinds’ or ‘levels’ of prayer when He said:
Ask
and it will be given to you;
SIMPLE REQUESTS MADE IN FAITH
Seek
and your will find;
THE ASKING BECOMES LONGER AND MORE INTENSE
Knock
and it will be opened to you.
INTERCESSION BECOMES MORE INSISTENT, URGENT, AND INTENSE
Beyond this we will also be called upon to add fasting to our prayer, and at times enter into seasons of much more intense wrestling and warfare. We will speak of these levels and seasons through certain sessions of this module.
Jesus, our example in prayer
Throughout the scriptures we are blessed to have many examples of praying men and women; ones who prevailed with God. Of course our primary example is Jesus Christ Himself.
During the module we will look at both His teaching, and His example in prayer. The Scriptures make it abundantly clear that Jesus’ prayer life was striking and powerful. The disciples recognised it as the source of His peace and power and asked Him to train them.
It is important to remember also that Jesus laid aside the privileges of divinity, and chose to walk, operate and minister as a man in covenant with God. He did not access anything that has not been opened to us as born-again believers, and a thorough inquiry into His lifestyle of prayer and communion with the Father stands as an example to all of God’s covenant sons and daughters.
Even today, in His heavenly ministry, prayer and intercession is His primary pursuit, a clear indication of the importance and necessity of prayer in the believer’s life.
Take a couple of minutes now as a covenant man or woman to ask the Holy Spirit to train you in prayer, just as Jesus trained His disciples. Today the Holy Spirit is our teacher, and if we will yield to Him He will teach and lead us into fullness in every area of Christian living.
