What Are the Different Types of Prayer?
Everyone at times finds prayer complicated, a mystery difficult to understand, and perhaps even hard to do. Yet, prayer is vital to the Christian life. Different types of prayer in the Bible express deep needs and help us know how to communicate with our Heavenly Father.
Table of Contents:
The Lord's Prayer
Different Types of Prayer
Other Prayers in the Bible
Why Pray as Christians
How Should We Pray?
What Is The Lord’s Prayer?
Jesus left an example of a praying Savior. He prayed with a few. He prayed alone. He prayed with crowds. Sometimes He spoke prayers aloud and sometimes silently. He sang hymns to the Father, and He modeled habitual prayer.
However, Jesus first taught the disciples how not to pray before He taught them how to pray (Matthew 6:5-7). He condemned hypocrisy, arrogance, and pretense. He modeled heart above blueprint.
After one of the disciples saw Jesus praying, he requested, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). This desire should grip our hearts as well.
Jesus answered the disciple’s request, “Lord, teach us to pray,” by introducing them to what we often refer to as The Lord’s Prayer, or “Our Father.” It is found in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:9-13 NIV)
The words are still heard around the world in prayer and song. Yet, the prayer is much more than a formula; it is an invitation to meet the Father’s heart. All of us, from children to gray-haired adults, harbor a deep yearning simply to talk with God.
Modest, but comprehensive, The Lord’s Prayer models at least five different types of prayer.
They are the foundation of our communication with the Father. Here is a list of these different types of prayer, along with an explanation of each.
Different Types of Prayer
1. Adoration: Both the address, “Our Father,” and “Hallowed be Your Name” exalt the Holy Nature of the Father. Worship or adoration recognizes the Character of God. It elevates not just what He does, but Who He Is.
Exodus 15:11 proclaims, “Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?”
2. Surrender. “Your kingdom come, Your will be done.” Jesus prayed a prayer of submission and surrender to the Father’s will.
Later, in the Garden of Gethsemane, He yielded Himself into the hands of evil men with this prayer, “Not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39).
3. Petition. “Give us. Forgive us. Lead us. Deliver us.” Jesus’ supplications in the Lord’s prayer demonstrated humble dependence on the Father. Petitions bring our requests before God.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
4. Confession. While Jesus never sinned, the Our Father models forgiveness. “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” Jesus practiced that forgiveness on the cross when he said, “Father forgive them.”
Confession, Forgiveness, and Repentance are prayers that recognize sin and want to turn from it. We can pray with the psalmist: “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.' And you forgave the guilt of my sin" (Psalm 32:5).
5. Deliverance. Jesus taught the disciples to say, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” Jesus urged His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:40), “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” We, too, can ask the Lord to deliver us from temptation and to keep us abiding in him and bearing fruit.
What Are Other Types of Prayers in the Bible?
- Intercession is another type of prayer that is often on display in the Bible. This is prayer on behalf of another. The Apostle Paul’s letter to Timothy instructed, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2
- Praise and Thanksgiving are responses of gratitude which reflect on the blessings and provisions of God. David sang in the Psalms, “I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.” (Psalm 7:17)
- Corporate Prayer brings God’s people together for prayer. We find the practice as part of the beginnings of the new church in Acts. “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” (Acts 1:14)
The Bible gives many prayer examples. David bowed down before the Lord. He confessed and repented from sin. He shouted praise, sang, and danced in worship. He clapped his hands in joy and lamented with tears. Deep emotion characterized his prayers.
Aaron prayed blessing and peace over the children of Israel (Numbers 6:24-26). Hannah prayed for a child, the desire of her heart. (1 Samuel 1)
Solomon dedicated the Temple with prayer, (2 Chronicles 6). Hezekiah prayed for healing, (2 Kings 20). Elijah prayed for rain, (1 Kings 18). Still others prayed for wisdom and justice.
Among New Testament authors, Paul, John, Peter, and James give us practical examples of different types of prayer. They intercede for others, ask for wisdom, and show steadfast faith.
Why Should We Pray as Christians?
Perhaps one of the most important questions we struggle with at times is, “why pray?” The answer revolves around relationship.
When our daughter was very sick, I wrestled with the question of why pray? God is God anyway, I’d concluded. He knew, according to His will, what the outcome would be.
My husband reflected, “We don’t ‘not pray anyway” since He is God. We pray because He is God.”
Prayer is an act of obedience. First Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to pray without ceasing, James 5:16 instructs us to pray for one another, and Philippians 4:6 admonishes us not to worry but bring our needs to God.
- We pray because we know Jesus personally. He is our Savior and Friend. We fellowship with Him. We want to be in His presence, to be near Him and know He is near us.
- We pray because we and others have needs.
- We pray because we sin. Confession and repentance remove hindrances to our relationship with God.
- We pray because we need guidance, direction, and wisdom.
- We pray because He is God and He loves us.
- We pray because He is holy.
- We pray to praise, worship, and thank Him.
In fact, the different types of prayers we pray uncover the type of relationship we have with the Father.
The discipline of prayer brings rewards of prayer. Our relationship strengthens through obedience and being in His presence. As our walk with Jesus becomes deeper, it grows in sweetness. In a nurtured prayer relationship, we learn to love Him more and to pray in agreement with His perfect will.
How Should We Pray?
What should we pray when we don’t know how to pray? How do we ask God for something which feels unanswerable? Or how do we petition Jesus when our reservoir is exhausted, when hope seems gone?
In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul gives a wonderful assurance:
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-17 NIV)
No matter our circumstances or the deep despair of our hearts, the following are always appropriate prayer requests.
- For God’s will to be done.
- For the body of Christ to be strengthened.
- For God’s answer to be a testimony to unbelievers.
- For Jesus to be exalted.
- For Trust in His Sovereignty.
Talking to God in life’s circumstances, at the bedside of a sick loved one, during a financial crisis, or before a major decision, is like spiritual breathing. We, as the disciples many years ago, deeply desire to commune with Him. We find victory in lifting Jesus high and surrendering with humility.
May the cry of His followers today also be, “Lord, teach us to pray!” Through the different types of prayer written in the Bible, we discover that He does just that.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Halfpoint
Her love for pasta and all things Italian stems from years of ministry abroad. She’d love to tell you about it over a steaming cup of cappuccino. Connect with Sylvia on her blog, When the House is Quiet, her Facebook page, or Twitter.
This article is part of our Prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
The Lord’s Prayer
Prayer for Peace
Morning Prayers
Good Night Prayers
Prayer for Healing
Prayer for Protection
Prayer for Anxiety
Prayer for Strength
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Originally published May 19, 2025.
