4 Kinds of Prayer
But there are kinds of prayer that lead to better results and line up with the models we see in scripture. Learn how to pray over different areas of your life.
Matthew 6:6 - "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."
Proverbs 16:3 - "Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established."
1 Samuel 1:10-11 - Hannah's vow of dedication for her son to the Lord.
Prayer:
"God, today I give You my whole life—every part of me.
I lay down my plans, my fears, and anything that's been holding me back.
I surrender my heart, my mind, and my future to You.
Jesus, I want to follow You fully—lead me, guide me, and change me from the inside out.
Holy Spirit, fill me with Your power and help me to live for You.
Use my life to make a difference in the lives of others.
Today, I say, 'Not my will, but Yours be done.'
I trust You with everything. In Jesus’ name, Amen."
Ephesians 6:18 - "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."
Philippians 4:6 - "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
James 4:2 - "You do not have because you do not ask."
Prayer:
"Heavenly Father, I come to You today knowing that You are good, that You love me, and that You hear me when I pray.
God, You know what I’m facing. You see the needs in my life—things I can’t fix on my own. So I bring them to You.
I ask You to move in my situation. I ask for Your strength where I am weak, Your peace where I feel anxious, and Your wisdom where I don’t know what to do.
God, I trust that You are my Provider, my Healer, and my Helper.
I pray that You would open doors that no one can shut, and that You would make a way where there seems to be no way.
Thank You for loving me, for hearing me, and for moving on my behalf.
I choose to trust You with all my heart.
In Jesus’ name, Amen."
Matthew 18:19-20 - "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
Acts 12:5 - "Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church."
2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Example Prayer:
"Father God, we come to You together today, standing in agreement for [insert need — healing, breakthrough, provision, etc.]. You said in Your Word that when two or more agree on earth about anything they ask for, it will be done by our Father in heaven (Matthew 18:19). So right now, we unite our hearts and our faith, believing that You are moving on this situation.
We declare Your promises — that You are our healer, our provider, our peace, and our strength. We speak life, hope, and breakthrough over this need. And even if we don’t see the answer yet, we choose to trust You completely.
Thank You, God, for hearing us and for moving in power. We expect to see Your hand at work. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen!"
John 15:7 - "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you."
1 John 5:14-15 - "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."
Mark 11:23 - "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
Prayer:
"Father, we thank You that because of Jesus, we don’t have to pray from a place of fear or defeat — but from victory! You’ve given us authority in Jesus’ name to speak life, healing, and freedom.
So right now, in the name of Jesus, we take authority over every scheme of the enemy coming against [insert situation—our family, this church, our city, etc.]. We speak peace where there’s been chaos. We speak healing where there’s been sickness. We declare freedom where there’s been bondage.
Your Word says that what we bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and what we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 18:18). So we bind every lie of the enemy, every spirit of fear and confusion, and we loose Your truth, Your joy, and Your perfect peace.
God, we align ourselves with Heaven, and we declare that Your Kingdom will come, and Your will be done—right here, just as it is in heaven.
Thank You for the authority You’ve given us through Jesus. We stand in that authority, and we expect to see breakthrough. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!"
The Lord's Prayer
The 5 P's of Prayer
“So Jesus is basically saying, “Dad, you are the best dad ever. Nobody loves me like you. You are the man.”
This is a great way to start a prayer— acknowledging who God is to us and the world. It’s a way of praising and complimenting God for how big and loving He is. This allows us to keep the right perspective of who God is right out of the gate!
A kingdom is simply a place with a king or a queen in charge. When Jesus prays for God’s kingdom to come, He’s saying, “I want you to be in charge, God. I want You to have Your way here on earth, just like You do in Heaven.” And what is God’s way? What is unique about God’s kingdom? God’s kingdom is about love, joy, peace, compassion, generosity, and selflessness. Where these things are happening, God’s kingdom is there. So in our praying, we can ask God to have His way in the world around us. And it’s also asking God to allow us to be a part of bringing his Kingdom to every part of our life and our world that needs it.
This is more than just food. This is asking God to provide for EVERYTHING we know we need and the things we don’t even know we need for that day. To provide the strength to deal with our hard-to-love family members. To provide peace amid a stressful workplace. To provide wisdom and knowledge needed for an exam. To provide safety and protection as you drive to and from work or grocery store. This is all about trusting God for everything you need.
We will have times when we mess up and fall short. But you don’t need to hide it. That’s why Jesus is telling us to pray for God to forgive us for all the times we mess up. This is where you choose to not hide anymore. This is where you can open up, be real, and confess anything that you’ve done, and then He can meet you with His love and comfort and actually give you the strength to get better.
Jesus recognizes that life is hard. He knows that we’re surrounded by opportunities to make less-than-wise choices, and we aren’t meant to handle those temptations on our own. He wants us to ask for help. And when we do, it’s another way of acknowledging how big God is and how much we trust Him when we recognize our need for Him.
Tabernacle Prayer
"God, I thank You for loving me. I praise You because You are good, faithful, and powerful."
"Jesus, thank You for dying for me. I give You my whole life—every part of me. Help me live for You."
"God, wash away anything that’s not like You—wrong attitudes, fear, pride. Make me clean and pure before You."
"Holy Spirit, fill me today. Give me wisdom, lead me, and help me shine Your light to others."
"God, speak to me through Your Word. Give me what I need today to follow You."
"God, I worship You. I lift up my family, friends, and church. Meet their needs and draw them close to You."
"God, I just want to be with You. Speak to my heart. I love You and I need You."
Praying through Scriptures
Instead of trying to come up with the right words, you use the Bible to shape your conversation with God. It's a way to pray His will, build your faith, and draw closer to Him.
"Lord, You are my Shepherd. I don’t have to be afraid or worry because You take care of me. Today, I trust You to provide everything I need. Lead me in the right path. Remind me that You are close. Thank You, God."
Praying For The Lost
John 6:44
Prayer Example:
"Father, thank You that You love them even more than I ever could. I’m asking right now that You would draw them close to You. Stir their hearts and awaken a longing for You, even if they don’t fully understand it yet. Open their eyes to see Your goodness, and remove anything standing in the way of them encountering Your love. Father, show them that You are real, and that You have been pursuing them all along. I trust that You are working, even when I can’t see it. In Jesus’ name, amen."
Reflection:
As you pray, picture them walking toward God—being pulled in by His love. Trust that God is already working behind the scenes. You don’t have to make it happen—He does the drawing. Your job is to pray and believe.
2 Corinthians 4:4
One of the biggest reasons people don’t come to faith is because they simply can’t see. The enemy works hard to keep them blind to the truth of who Jesus is. But the good news? We can pray for those blinders to be removed.
Prayer Example:
"God, I know the enemy tries to keep them from seeing You clearly. But I believe Your light is stronger than any darkness. So right now, I pray that every lie, every distraction, every false belief would be torn down in Jesus' name. Remove the blinders from their eyes. Open their heart to see You for who You are—good, loving, powerful, and full of grace. Let Your light break through the darkness and fill them with hope. I declare that they will see the truth of who You are, and when they do, everything will change. In Jesus’ name, amen."
Reflection:
As you pray, imagine light breaking through the fog in their mind. Where there’s confusion, pray for clarity. Where there are lies, pray for truth. God’s Spirit is more than able to reveal Jesus to them—even when it seems impossible.
Romans 8:15
When people don’t know Jesus, they often live with fear, shame, or rejection—believing lies that they are unwanted or unloved. But God’s desire is to adopt them into His family, to call them sons and daughters. As we pray, we’re asking God to break off fear and release His Spirit of adoption over them.
Prayer Example:
"Father, I pray today that You would break every chain of fear, shame, and rejection off their life. I pray they would no longer feel like outsiders, but know they are invited into Your family. God, would You pour out Your Spirit of adoption over them? Let them know deep in their heart that they are loved, chosen, and wanted by You. I pray they would hear You calling them, "Son, Daughter, come home." Father, fill them with Your love that casts out all fear. Let them know they don’t have to earn Your love — it’s already freely given. I thank You, God, that through Jesus, they can cry out to You as Abba, Father. In Jesus' name, amen."
Reflection:
As you pray, picture them running into the arms of a Father who has been waiting for them with open arms. Pray they would experience God's love that makes them part of His family—fully accepted and fully known.
Matthew 9:38
God often uses relationships to open hearts. Sometimes, before someone says "yes" to Jesus, they need to see His love lived out through real people. This step is about praying that God will send the right believers to cross their path—people they trust, people who reflect Jesus well.
Prayer Example:
"Lord of the harvest, I ask You to send people into their life—believers who are full of Your love and truth. God, would You surround them with people who love You and will love them well? I pray You would raise up friends, coworkers, neighbors, and even strangers to speak life, to encourage them, and to point them to You. Let them have positive, life-giving relationships with people who reflect Your heart. I pray for conversations that plant seeds, friendships that reflect Your kindness, and moments that reveal Your grace. God, I believe You are orchestrating connections that will lead them to You. Thank You that You love them so much, You are already sending people to walk alongside them. In Jesus’ name, amen."
Reflection:
As you pray, imagine God sending His people to meet them right where they are — at work, in a store, in a class, or even online. Pray for divine appointments and friendships that open doors to Jesus. You may even be one of those people God wants to use!
Ephesians 1:17
It’s not enough for someone to hear about God — they need to see and understand who He really is. Only the Holy Spirit can open their eyes to know God personally. As we pray, we’re asking for spiritual eyes to be opened and hearts to truly understand the love and grace of Jesus.
Prayer Example:
"Father, I pray that You would give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that they can know You better. Open their spiritual eyes to see who You really are — not just as an idea, but as a living God who loves them deeply. God, let Your truth replace every false idea they have about You. Help them understand Your grace, Your goodness, and Your purpose for their life. I pray they would begin to recognize Your voice and know that You are calling them into a relationship with You. Fill their heart with a hunger to know more of You and a desire to draw close. In Jesus’ name, amen."
Reflection:
As you pray, picture the light of truth breaking into their heart and mind. Pray that their understanding of God wouldn’t be based on fear, confusion, or religion — but on real love and truth that brings freedom. Pray for moments where God reveals Himself to them personally.
Warfare Prayer
Recognize this: life’s struggles aren’t just physical or emotional—they’re spiritual. Thankfully, God has already given us an entire armor kit and arsenal for spiritual warfare. This armor is not a one-time wear but a daily necessity to withstand the enemy’s tactics.
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Ephesians 6:11-18
Realize you’re part of a greater spiritual battle and take your stand. Deliberately walk through each piece of God’s armor as outlined in Ephesians 6, praying for the strength and protection each element offers.
When we are aware of spiritual warfare, we can be active in praying through it. God has given us victory and power to fight through the blood of Jesus.
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Stand firm, armed with the power of the blood of Christ. Command any resistance to the truth of God and His Word to yield to Jesus’ authority. Your prayers aren’t wishful thoughts; they’re targeted, powerful actions propelled by the Spirit of God.
Romans 12:1-2
We often worry about our safety and protection. In those moments, don’t let fear immobilize you. Instead, rush to the throne of God, openly sharing your concerns and claiming His promises of protection for you and your loved ones.
“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3
Lay your fears and worries before God, asking for His supernatural protection. Remember, He has promised to command His angels to guard you in all your ways (Psalm 91:11). Trust His plans and His power—not just to protect, but to empower you and those you care about.
Sin casts a shadow between us and God. Yet, the cross of Jesus dispels that darkness, opening the way for reconciliation with our Heavenly Father. Repentance isn’t a one-time act; it’s an ongoing commitment to transformation.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Approach God with a humble heart, free from the fear of judgment. Regularly share your transgressions, big or small—each one matters. In doing so, you engage in a transformative process that aligns you more closely with God’s heart. After confession, lean into
Forgiveness can feel challenging, but God makes it clear in the Bible that He freely forgives us and we are expected to do the same for others. God’s grace isn’t a treasure to be hoarded; it’s a gift to be given freely, just as we have received it.
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Matthew 6:14-15
As you talk with God, be candid about the people you need to forgive. Even if you aren’t able to settle a situation with that person, you can settle it with the Lord, letting them off the hook by forgiving them. As you choose to forgive those who have hurt or offended you, you can also praise and thank God for forgiving you when you didn’t deserve it.
Pride can be a silent yet destructive force, always lurking and waiting for an opportunity to pull us away from God’s grace. The wisdom of Proverbs reminds us,
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2
Combatting pride means deliberately choosing humility. Make it a practice to confess any lurking pride to God, asking Him to replace it with a spirit of humility and selflessness. If pride is a recurring issue, bring it before God daily.
Note: A potent mix of prayer and fasting can serve as an effective tool for humbling ourselves.
Generational bondage is sin that can be passed down from generation to generation. Whether it’s pride, addiction, divorce, abandonment, sexual sin, or something else, through spiritual warfare, you can claim the power of Jesus to stop the sin with your generation- not passing it on to anyone else in your family.
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below...For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
Exodus 20:4-6
Recognize the generational bondage that might be in your life and bring it before God.
Ask for His power to defeat the sin that has affected generations of your family. Ask for it to stop right now, with you, and rebuke any sin or anything that tries to pull you away from your relationship with Christ. Pray for protection, healing, and a new path for you and your family.
Our God is a God of miracles. Just as we read about in the Bible, we still see Him perform miraculous healing today. He is our healer, and we can confidently approach Him asking for healing for ourselves or someone we know.
“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Psalm 103:2-5
Approach God with boldness, asking for healing either for yourself or for someone on your heart. Profess His power and love, placing your faith in His ability to do the miraculous.
Marriage was created by God, a reflection of Christ’s love for His Church. While the joy and love we find in marriage are fulfilling and wonderful, it’s a relationship that requires diligent work and God’s help.
"For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body." Ephesians 5:25-30
In marriage, we have the distinct privilege of modeling the love and commitment Christ has for His Church. To love our spouses well, we need the guiding hand of God—His love and Holy Spirit empowering us.
Approach the Throne of Grace, asking God to guide you and your spouse as you aim to live out your marriage covenant. Seek His wisdom, love, and strength to forge a marriage that honors Him and enriches both of you.
The Prayer of Jabez
1 Chronicles 4:10
The Prayer of Jabez serves as an impactful template for daily communion with God. It encapsulates the essence of seeking God’s favor and grace.
“Oh, that you would bless me...”
1 Chronicles 4:10
Ask God for His blessing. Recognize your need for His provision, and set your heart toward wanting more than you need so that you can be a blessing to others.
PRAYER:
Father God, I pray that You would bless me with more than I need so that I can bless others. I pray for more provision, that You would equip me to give generously to others and meet their practical needs in Your Name. I ask You to give me greater spiritual gifting so that I can strengthen the church and be more effective for the Kingdom of God. I pray for an abundance of wisdom and discernment so that I can point others to You and make decisions that honor You. Help me keep Your generous blessings in perspective so that I never become self-serving but stay focused on using what You’ve given me to serve other people.
“Enlarge my territory...”
1 Chronicles 4:10
Pray for more influence. Knowing that God can make a way, trust in Him to open doors and lead you on the best path for your life and for His glory.
PRAYER:
Father, increase my effectiveness in the areas where I can make a difference, and open new avenues for me to touch more lives (name any particular areas where you’d like to have more influence). Help me to be a good steward of the responsibility You’ve entrusted to me. I pray for greater influence to impact others for Your glory.
“Let your hand be with me...”
1 Chronicles 4:10
Approach God with a humble heart, acknowledging that His presence is non-negotiable. Cast aside self-reliance and allow His Spirit to guide your actions.
PRAYER:
Lord, I confess that apart from You, my efforts are fruitless. Your presence is my lifeline, my source of strength and wisdom. I depend on You completely. I recognize that the same Spirit who raised Christ Jesus from the dead lives in me. Through the power of Your Spirit, I pray that You will help me succeed in the opportunities You’ve given me. I’m eternally grateful that You are always by my side, and I don’t want to tackle any part of today without You.
“Keep me from harm…”
1 Chronicles 4:10
Entrust your vulnerabilities to God. Specify areas where you sense the need for His shield and ask for preemptive protection in areas that you can’t yet see.
PRAYER:
God, as I walk out the purpose You have for my life, I pray that You will stop any and every attack of the enemy against me. Please protect my body, my mind, and my emotions. Don’t let the enemy get a foothold in my life. Protect my family and community from harm. I know that the One who is in me is greater than the One who is in the world, so I have nothing to fear. Thank You for watching over me. I love You and I trust You.