Prayer, it's types of Prayer and Bowing and Kneeling in Prayer.

What is Prayer?

The most basic definition of prayer is “talking to God”. Prayer is not meditation or passive reflection; it is direct address to God. It is the communication of the human soul with the Lord who created the soul. Prayer is the primary way for the believer in Jesus Christ to communicate his emotions and desires with God and to fellowship with God.

Prayer can be audible or silent, private or public, formal or informal. All prayer must be offered in faith (Jam. 1:6), in the name of the Lord Jesus (John 16:23), and in the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:26).

What are the different types of Prayer?

The Bible reveals many types of prayers and employs a variety of words to describe the practice. For example, 1st Tim. 2:1 says, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.” Here, all four of the main Greek words used for prayer are mentioned in one verse.

The main types of prayers in the Bible:

1) The prayer of Faith:

Jam. 5:15 says, “And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” In this context, prayer is offered in faith for someone who is sick, asking God to heal. When we pray, we are to believe in the power and goodness of God (Mark 9:23).

2) The prayer of Agreement (also known as Corporate prayer):

After Jesus’ ascension, the disciples “all joined together constantly in prayer” (Acts 1:14). Later, after Pentecost, the early church “devoted themselves” to prayer (Acts 2:42). Their example encourages us to pray with others.

3) The prayer of Request (or Supplication): 

We are to take our requests to God. Philip. 4:6 teaches, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Part of winning the spiritual battle is to be “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Eph. 6:18).

4) The prayer of Thanksgiving: 

We see another type of prayer in Philip. 4:6: thanksgiving or thanks to God. “With thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Many examples of thanksgiving prayers can be found in the Psalms.

5) The prayer of Worship:

The prayer of worship is similar to the prayer of thanksgiving. The difference is that worship focuses on who God is; thanksgiving focuses on what God has done. 

6) The prayer of Consecration (or Dedication):

Sometimes, prayer is a time of setting ourselves apart to follow God’s will. Jesus made such a prayer the night before His crucifixion: “And going a little further he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will’” (Matt. 26:39).

7) The prayer of Intercession (or Appeal/Petition): 

Many times, our prayers include requests for others as we intercede for them. We are told to make intercession “for everyone” in 1st Tim. 2:1. Jesus serves as our example in this area. The whole of John 17 is a prayer of Jesus on behalf of His disciples and all believers.

8) The prayer of Imprecation (or Curse): 

Imprecatory prayers are found in the Psalms (e.g., 7, 55, 69). They are used to invoke God’s judgment on the wicked and thereby avenge the righteous. The psalmists use this type of appeal to emphasize the holiness of God and the surety of His judgment. Jesus teaches us to pray for blessing on our enemies, not cursing (Matt. 5:44-48).

The Bible also speaks of praying in the Spirit (1st Cor. 14:14-15) and prayers when we are unable to think of adequate words (Rom. 8:26-27). In those times, the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us.

Prayer is conversation with God and should be made without ceasing (1st Thess. 5:16-18). As we grow in our love for Jesus Christ, we will naturally desire to talk to Him.

What does the Bible say about bowing or kneeling in Prayer?

Psalm 95:6 says, “Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.” Bowing and kneeling have long been associated with worship and reverence (2nd Chron. 6:13; Psa. 138:2; Dan. 6:10). 

In fact, the Hebrew word for “worship” actually means “bow down.” But is bowing or kneeling the only posture we are to take in worshiping or praying?

The first instance took place in the Bible of bowing in reverence is in Gen. 18:2 when the three heavenly visitors came to Abraham. He knew they represented God, and he bowed to the ground in welcome. A few generations later, Pharaoh, king of Egypt, ordered all Egyptians to bow to Joseph as a sign of respect for the former slave promoted to second-in-command (Gen. 41:42-43). 

So, very early in human history, bowing or kneeling came to represent taking a humble position before someone of greater importance.

Bowing and kneeling were not the only postures:

Moses and Aaron fell facedown before the Lord, and His glory overshadowed them (Num. 20:6). Ezekiel fell facedown in grief, crying out to the Lord, and the Lord answered him (Eze. 11:13-14). The Levites were to “stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD. They were to do the same in the evening” (1st Chron. 23:30). King David “went in and sat before the Lord” to pray (2nd Sam. 7:18). Jesus “lifted His eyes toward heaven” when He offered His longest recorded prayer (John 17), and Paul exhorted “men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing” (1st Tim. 2:8). According to the Bible, there is more than one right posture for worship or prayer.

While physical representations of worship are important, and our entire being should be engaged in worship of God, the posture of our hearts is of more importance than the position of our bodies.

True worship is a lifestyle, not an activity. While dedicated times of intense communion with God are vital to our spiritual health, we are also told to “pray without ceasing” (1st Thess. 5:17). Our bodies are to be living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1-2) and our hearts filled with “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father” (Eph. 5:19-20).