What You Must Know About Prayer

The Definition of Prayer

Prayer is one of the spiritual weapons of God’s saints in spiritual warfare, (Dan. 9:20). It is the power of God in the mouth of the prophet, (Jer. 5:14). It is the spiritual inner oxygen of the effective preacher, (Acts 4:23-37). It is the influence of the teacher of God’s word, (Mark 3:13-15). Prayer is the key for any lasting and successful ministry. It is the ministerial license which qualifies you to carry out God’s work. It is the spiritual master key which opens impossible doors, (Acts 12: 1-12). It is the key to victory, (Mark 11:23).

The Place of Prayer 

There is a place where your sins can be forgiven, Ps. 51:1-10.

There is a place where death can be canceled, Isa. 38:1-6.

There is a place to cure infertility or barrenness, 1 Sam. 1:1-28.

There is a place where impossible situations can become possible, Matt. 21:18-22.

There is a place to get secrets from the Lord to solve life’s puzzles, Dan. 2:1-23. 

This is a place of prayer, Lk. 6:12.

The Purpose of Prayer

The purpose of prayer is to present our desires to God with the confidence that we will receive what we have requested. The purpose of prayer is to create a chance for God to intervene in matters that are beyond our strength, 11 Chron. 14:9-12.

The Structure of Prayer

1. Praising God for past, present and future blessings, Ps. 107:1-21.
2. Purification, purging and asking for cleansing from sin, Ps. 51:1-10.
3. Power for intercession, for supplication, and for talking with God, Luke 11:1.
4. Petitioning and asking the Lord for what you need, Ps. 20:1-4.
5. Praising God Almighty for answered prayer, John 11:40-42.

Common Problems in Prayer

1. Sin. Ps. 66:18
2. Unbelief. Mark 9:14-18, 28-29
3. Doubt. 11 Kings 7:1-2, 17-20
4. Double Mindedness. James 1:5-8
5. Spiritual Weakness. Matt. 26:36-41
6. Satanic Attack. Rev. 12:7-12
7. Satanic Opposition. Zech. 3:1-3
8. Laziness. Luke 18:1
9. Carnality. 1 Cor. 3:1-6
10. Uncontrolled Appetites, Emotions & Desires. Gen. 25:29-34

Kinds of Prayers

Audacious Prayers: Bold declaration of what you desire. (Example: Jesus stilling the angry waves. Mk. 4:36)

Authoritative Prayers:  Anointed utterance resulting in miracles. (Example: Ezekiel and the dry bones. Ezek. 37:1)

Declarative Prayers: Affirming your trust in God in difficult times. (Example: Habakkuk responding to hard times. Hab. 3:16-18)

Conversational Prayers: Negotiating with God. (Example: Abraham negotiating for Sodom and Gomorrah. Gen. 18:23-33)

Cleansing Prayers: Confessing sins to God and asking for cleansing. (Example: David after falling into the sin of adultery. Psalm 51:1-10) 

Interrogative Prayers: Questioning God about His promise. (Example: Jehoshaphat and Judah in distress. 11 Chron. 20:1-19.

Petition Prayers: Appealing desperately to God for help. (Example: Jabez for a change of life. 1 Chron. 4:9-10)

Vow Prayers: Promising to do something should God do a particular thing. (Example: Hannah for a son. 1 Sam. 1:1-20)

Thanksgiving Prayers: Thanking God for what He has done. (Example: Moses after crossing the Red Sea. Ex. 15:1-26)

Supplication Prayers: Entreating God incessantly for what you need and for others. (Example: The two blind men. Matt. 9:27-30)

Prevailing Prayers: Persistent praying till victory comes (P.U.S.H.). (Example: Jacob for God to bless him. Gen. 32: 24; The stubborn woman and the stubborn judge. Lk. 18:1-8)

Spiritual Warfare: Overcoming demonic forces in a spiritual war to secure release from their oppression. (Example: Overcoming addiction and bad habits, Eph. 6:10-20; Jesus and the demoniac of Gadarene, Mark 5:1-20)

The Sinner’s Prayer: Salvation prayer of the sinner taken as a first step of his Christian Journey. (Example: Zacchaeus the tax collector, Lk. 19:1-10; One of the two men who went to the temple to pray. Lk. 18:9-14)