For anyone who has ever prayed, I'm sure you have had those overwhelming thoughts of "Who should I pray for?", "I'm being too selfish in my prayers!", or "I don't want to pray the wrong things.."
I recently have had this dilemma almost every time I go to pray. Then today I realized, I honestly don't even know what the word "pray" or "prayer" means. Sure, I can say the 'Lord's Prayer' 100 times fast, and could throw down a few scriptures with the word 'pray' in it, but I literally do no know what it means to pray. You may say, "oh man that's embarrassing for a Christian to say that!", and my pride doesn't like the fact that I'm publicizing these words, but I'm learning (mostly the hard way) that it doesn't matter how much I pretend to know, but that I continue to ask God to help me understand what I do not...
(One of my favorite worship songs)
.:: Pray- to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to (God or an object of worship)The dictionary states the Latin origin of the word as: precari "ask earnestly, beg, request, entreaty..." ::..
I read an article that talked about 4 simple categories of prayer that really hit home with me: Supplications, Intercessions, Prayers, and Thanksgiving.
1. Supplications- Summed up it just means to "petition" God for something, much like a petition to get a law passed. Present your "case" or your "need" to God and let him be the Judge and final answer to all of your requests! One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:6- Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God.
2. Intercessions- Literally translates "to act or interpose on behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble, as by pleading or petition"
1 Tim 2:1-4- I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
3. Prayer (n)- 'A spiritual communion with God or an object of worship...'
I almost like to think of this as 'verbal texting'. It's when I think of God and tell him, or communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, or desires. Just like I would with my husband. I keep the communication going by texting my husband throughout the day and telling him the funny things that happened during my day, to thank him for what he does for me, to tell him I love him, to tell him I'm thinking about him...And so tt should be just as easy for me to speak openly to my heavenly Father about these things!
1 Thes. 5:16-18- Rejoice always; pray without ceasing;
4. Thanksgiving (n)- 'A public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor or kindness...' Thanksgiving encompasses so much like praise, worship, and honor, and it comes in so many different forms... dance, songs, poems, words, art , actions, and more! I try, as much as possible, to start my prayers with words & songs of Thanksgiving because I believe it really helps me focus my prayers in an effective and positive way! It dissipates any "poor poor me" kind of attitudes and brings me once again to the realization that God is on His throne, He is for me, and this life on earth is to do ONE thing and that is to share His Good news and show Christ's love! Once I start to think of things I am thankful for, it's so easy to get overwhelmed (in a good way) with how much God has given.
I love how Psalm 28:7 says "the Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of Thanksgiving." The Psalmist is literally bursting at the seems with the Joy of Thanksgiving. If someone does something that literally saves your life, or does something you could NEVER repay them for...how do you feel about that person? When you see them does your heart well up with joy and a mix of emotions at the thought of their love for you?? God is that someone who did something for us and we can never, ever repay Him!
