Prayer
The Elements and Words of Prayer
Psalm 100:1
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
NKJV
The elements of our prayers are many. The descriptions of prayers cover a multitude of concepts. The elements of prayer are those things which comprise the basis of our prayer life. The words of prayer describe they varying types of prayers we offer.
A simple list of the elements of prayer would read as follows:
Faith -- the basis on which we offer our prayers
Adoration -- the love we demonstrated to God
Confession -- of our sins and misdeeds
Thanksgiving -- offered for the gifts God has provided us from our daily food to great and wonderful gifts, such as healing from disease or mental turmoil
Worship
-- the highest honor to bestow upon God, the knowledge that He is the
Highest of all and He alone is deserving of our adoration and praise.
Isaiah 6:3 And one cried to another and said: "Holy,
holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!"
NKJV
Praise -- the offering of love and worship to God, telling Him and others that God is God
The "words" or descriptions or types of prayers might read as follows
Intercessions -- This is making
a petition for others, an interceding on behalf of another for God&s Will
to operate in their lives. The pattern for this intercession is the action
of God Himself, the Holy Spirit working in our lives making intercessions
for us when we cannot or know not what to pray
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our
weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but
the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot
be uttered. NKJV
Petition -- These are our requests
to God -- our requests for Him to intervene in our lives. A petition is
nothing more than asking God for something. Most New Testament prayers
are given in the form of petitions. Petitions are generally motivated
by the moment, but they truly cover the entire span of one&s life. The
pattern of our petitions and requests give a clear indication of the health
of our prayer life and the health of our walk with God. The closer we
are to God and the more intimate our prayer life, the closer our petitions
and requests come to discussing every decision of life with our Maker.
1 John 5:15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever
we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
NKJV
Request -- This term appears
as both a noun and a verb in the Scriptures. It means to beseech , pray,
or request. As a noun, it refers to that which has been asked for. It
appears in
1 John 5:15 And if we know that he hears us-whatever
we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him NIV,
as well as
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything
by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made
known to God NKJV
Supplication -- is the translation
of two different Greek words. It may be viewed as a synonym of request.
It&s word history shows it related to a word meaning "olive branch,"
thus, a peace offering. Our supplications become our requests of a less
demanding nature.
Psalm 142:1 I cry out to the Lord with my voice;
With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication. NKJV
