Adoration (Praising God for Who He is)

"Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen." Revelation 7:12

There is no better way to begin a time of prayer than by expressing praise to God. Praise is the most important element of prayer, and it is probably on of the most neglected. In a prayer of adoration, you express your deep feelings toward God in response to His love, wisdom presence, power, knowledge, grace, holiness, greatness and His other divine attributes. This kind of prayer will always be an occasion for joy!

As you engage in the school of prayer, remember this important lesson: Our adoration must be reserved for God, not for projects, ministries or works done in His name. When we thank God for what He does, we are gratefully recognizing His answers to our petitions. Adoration, on the other hand, focuses on God Himself rather than the things He does. As you abide in Him, the desire to praise Him will come naturally.

Petition (Praying for your personal needs)

"Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name- ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."

John 16-24

On a day to day basis, most of your petitions will deal with small scale problems, decisions and opportunities. This is natural, so don't consider your needs beneath God's interest. Remember Jesus said the Father even knows when a sparrow falls!

Perhaps no verse in the New Testament is as helpful with regard to prayers of petition as John 14:13, in which Jesus said, "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be clorified in the Son."

In both large and small requests, the question should always be, "Is my prayer the kind that will glorify my heavenly Father?"

Pray about everything and try not to confuse your needs with your wants. By faith, be prepared to praise Him for a "yes" or a "no" when He answers your petition. He knows your need even before you ask. His promise is wonderfully understandable - "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6-33)

Confession (Agreeing with God about your sin)

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9

Receiving God's gift of forgiveness is part of the miracle that occurs in a person's life when he accepts Christ as Savior. Choosing to accept this gift, made possible through the cross, establishes one's eternal relationship with God: however, it is our prayer life and obedience that maintain our fellowship with Him on a day to day basis.

Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." (John 14:15) When we make self centered and sinful decisions, our relationship with God remains in effect, but the quality of our fellowship is strained. It is confession that restores the privilege of that wonderful fellowship.

Thanksgiving (Thanking God for what He has done)

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

I Thessalonians 5:18

Prayer provides the opportunity to express our deepest emotions and feelings to God. How long has it been since your heart was overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude? The average Christian probably spends too much time asking and too little time thanking.

Paul's admonition to "give thanks in everything" reflects the maturity of his Christian life. He had been shipwrecked, beaten, hungry, severely criticized and imprisoned - yet, he could honestly write these words. Why? Because his heart was filled with gratitude! He expressed it like this: "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Philippians 3:7,8)

Intercession (Praying for the needs of others)

"Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you."

I Samuel 12:23

When Christ enters our lives, it becomes our spontaneous desire to seek God's blessings for those around us. This is called intercession.

It would probably be safe to say that the most consistent intercessory praying which we do focuses on the spiritual needs of relatives, friends and neighbors. Many of these we intercede for are lost. Others are Christians living beneath the resources and privileges freely available to God's children. In each of these instances, intercessory prayer is a ministry of love.

Through intercession, any Christian can be mightily used of God to affect the cause of evangelism and missions worldwide. Whatever our physical condition, we can all be a part of God's powerful army of prayer. Jesus said to His disciples," If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15-7