BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING OF PRAYER

God’s Way of Victory Ministry has been built on Prayer. Prayer is the foundation of all that Pastor Denotra Johnson, the ministry’s director does in her life. The Holy Spirit taught her how to pray, and what prayer is all about. She is committed to teaching God’s people with what the Holy Spirit has taught her. 

Webster’s dictionary defines prayer as, an approach to deity (God) in word through earnest request, a form of words used in seeking God for something needed or desired. 

Bible scripture describes prayer as worshipping, asking, requesting, beseeching, calling for, entreating, supplicating, pouring out, imploring, being sorry, stroking, to intercede or intervene. 

Examples of different kinds of prayer are given throughout the bible. 

Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples 

Matt 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 

The bible introduces us to different types of prayer. The book of Matthew gave the disciples a pattern for prayer. Included in these scriptures are prayers of praise, exaltation, confession, supplication, worship, repentance, deliverance and intercession.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF PRAYERS FOUND IN THE BIBLE

         **PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE

HEB 13:15 Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.

         **PRAYER OF REPENTANCE

II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

I John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

         **PRAYER OF CONSECRATION

Luke 22:42 Jesus prayed to the Father, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done.

         **PRAYER OF AGREEMENT

MRR 18:19-20 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

         **PRAYER OF PETITION

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

         **PRAYER OF SUPPLICATION

Phil 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

         **PRAYER OF WORSHIP AND EXALTATION

Psalms 99:5 Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool.

         **PRAYER OF COMMITTAL

I Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

         **PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS

Mark 11:25-26 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

         **PRAYER OF AUTHORITY (Binding and loosing)

Matt 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

         **PRAYER OF FAITH (Which every prayer should be)

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

         **UNITED PRAYER

Acts 4:24,31 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

         **INTERCESSORY PRAYER

Ezek 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. 

I Tim 2:1 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. 

Rom 8:26 Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is in the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Intercessory prayer involves praying for another or others, many times from a distance. It is standing in the gap between a person, thing, situation or nations to change circumstances according to God’s will. As we cry out to God in the name of Jesus, who ever lives to make intercession for the saints according to the will of God, we can expect action in heaven.

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS!