#1505. What Are The Various Kinds Of Prayer? 29/4/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.

Let’s explore how we are to be spiritually alert so as to pray with all kinds of prayer according to the need of the moment. 

To watch this devotional, please select the link below:

Paul concludes the armour of God passage not with a final piece of armour, but with a call to prayer. Prayer is not an optional extra - it is the atmosphere in which we stand firm.

1. Pray on all occasions

We are urged to ‘pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests’. 

In 1 Thessalonians, we read something similar:

Of course, we are to have times of devotion and prayer personally and with the church. However, prayer is not to be confined to certain times or places. We are to live in an ongoing awareness of God - bringing every situation, decision, joy, and struggle before Him.

This includes:

• In moments of need

• In times of gratitude

• In decisions and uncertainties

• In temptation and spiritual battle

A life of prayer is a life of constant worship, prayer and dependence upon God.

2. Pray with all kinds of prayers

Paul speaks of “all kinds” of prayer. This reminds us that prayer is rich and varied. It includes:

• Praise (Adoration) – Worshipping God for who He is. 

• Thanksgiving – Expressing gratitude

• Petitions (Praying for your own needs). 

• Intercession – Praying for the needs of others. 

• Confession – Acknowledging and turning from sin

• Peace-making - Taking time to forgive others. 

• Tongues - To pray in the Spirit also includes the gift of tongues. For example, what He writes in 1 Corinthians: 

At different moments, different kinds of prayer are needed. A spiritually alert believer discerns the need of the moment and responds accordingly.

We don’t need to force one type of prayer - rather, we walk with the Spirit, allowing Him to guide us into the right kind of prayer at the right time.

3. Be alert and pray

Prayer requires alertness. This speaks of spiritual awareness - not drifting, but being attentive to:

• God’s voice

• The needs around us

• The spiritual battles we face

Jesus also warned His disciples to “watch and pray.” Without watchfulness, we become spiritually drowsy and vulnerable.

To be alert is to:

• Notice what God is doing

• Recognise where prayer is needed

• Respond without delay

In Colossians we read:‘

Here,  Paul also adds: be thankful. Gratitude keeps our hearts soft and our prayers faith-filled.

Response

Today, we’ve briefly explored how we are to be spiritually alert so as to pray with all kinds of prayer according to the need of the moment. 

Ask yourself:

• Am I bringing all areas of my life to God in prayer?

• Do I practice different kinds of prayer? From our list, where are you strongest and where are you weakest:

  • Praise (Adoration) – Worshipping God for who He is. 

  • Thanksgiving – Expressing gratitude

  • Petitions (Praying for your own needs). 

  • Intercession – Praying for the needs of others. 

  • Confession – Acknowledging and turning from sin

  • Peace-making - Taking time to forgive others. 

  • Tongues - To pray in the Spirit also includes the gift of tongues. For example, what He writes in 1 Corinthians: 

Community Group Study

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

2. Icebreaker

Something that builds relationships and confidence to share; it’s good to regularly use this moment to ask the group: How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

On Sunday, we continued our new series entitled: Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

Our message was on the theme of, Pray In The Spirit. 

Please read Ephesians 6:18-20 and discuss:

• Personal Reflection – From Sunday’s message and this passage, what stood out to you? Was there anything the Spirit particularly impressed on your heart?

• The armour of God - What link is there between putting on the armour of God and prayer?

•  Pray in the Spirit - What are the various things that are meant by ‘Pray in the Spirit’?

• All kinds of prayer - What are the various kinds of prayer that the Spirit leads us into?

• Response - How do you think you’d like to grow in ‘praying in the Spirit’? 

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• Prayer leads to power -  From our text, what do we learn about the need for prayer in mission? 

• Sharing Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing stories of how we’ve seen God at work through simple faithfulness.

• Practical Next Steps – Who might God be placing on your heart at this time? Are there any “people of peace” (see note) in your life—those who seem open, welcoming, or receptive to spiritual conversation?

Let’s Pray Together

Let’s pray for one another in light of what we’ve studied and bring any other needs before God.

• Pray for courage, wisdom, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in our Serve, Invest, and Invite opportunities.

• Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - that God would open hearts and deepen relationships.

• General prayer: From our study, or from personal needs, how do people want prayer?