This is probably the easiest and simplest way I've found to remember some of the various types of prayer and what they actually mean:
In our praying, we should speak to God about Himself--that is praise; or about His gifts--that is thanksgiving; or about other people--that is intercession; or about our sins--that is confession and penitence; or about our needs--that is petition. Prayer has five fingers, like a hand, and each in turn must be pointed to God, that our prayer may be full and complete. F. W. Kates (b.1920)
I like the following, but I can't say I always agree with it. Sometimes we have to multi-task and all we can manage are arrow prayers, shooting up a quick thought or thanks or question to God, a kind of prayer, that keep us close to God in the midst of whatever else we are doing.
I've found I can't force answers, after all, it is kairos or God's timing, so in some cases, considering how much later I got an answer, I'd be waiting for weeks.
I like the idea of leaning on the everlasting arms and feeling some serenity and security. But it isn't always like that either. Sometimes we look into a glass (mirror), darkly*, as Paul said, and it only becomes clearer later.
Prayer is not a way of making use of God; prayer is a way of offering ourselves to God in order that He should be able to make use of us. It may be that one of our great faults in prayer is that we talk too much and listen too little. When prayer is at its highest we wait in silence for God's voice to us; we linger in His presence for His peace and His power to flow over us and around us; we lean back in His everlasting arms and feel the serenity of perfect security in Him. William Barclay (1907-1978), The Plain Man's Book of Prayers [1959]
How do you pray most often?
The important thing to remember is that all prayers to God, no matter what form they take, are valid and life-giving. They have an effect, even if we don't see it in the moment. That's when a prayer journal comes in handy -- you can jot down what you pray about and follow it up with the answer, whenever it comes.
Karin
*1 Cor 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Originally posted 2007-03-29 07:04:13.
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