PRAYER

Lesson 3

Different Kinds Of Prayer

Part 2-Petitions And Giving Of Thanks

PETITIONS/SUPPLICATIONS

Petitions and supplications are prayers you make on behalf of yourself. These words means to request something that one really needs, and a prayer based on a need, lack, poverty or privation.

We must realize God is our Father and as our Father He wants to take care of us. We mustn’t be afraid to ask our Father for the things we have need of.

• And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.  – 1 John 5:15

• Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  – Philippians 4:6

Petitions and supplications are prayers we pray based on a personal need or desire. These are biblical prayers. Too many Christians are afraid to ask God for things.

• Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.  – James 4:2

Prayer is the avenue by which we obtain the things that we need from our Heavenly Father. “Give us this day our daily bread . . .” God expects us to come to Him with our needs. He is never too busy to help us.

• And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.  – John 16:23-24

It glorifies God to answer our prayers because He knows it brings us joy and He knows we will testify how our God took care of us. But let us be thankful when He answers our prayers.

THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving is a type of prayer. Thankfulness is an attitude pleasing unto God. A grateful heart goes a long way. It has been said that “as goes your attitude, so goes your life.” Thankfulness is having a grateful attitude and a heart of appreciation. Thankfulness will change your perspective. Be thankful for what you do have; don’t complain about what you don’t have.

“To complain is to remain.”

• Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  – Philippians 4:6

Thanksgiving is the necessary additive to make our supplication efficacious (it makes our prayers work).

• Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.  – Colossians 2:7

The Bible tells us we are to abound in the faith with thanksgiving.

• I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.  – 1 Timothy 2:1

The Bible exhorts us to not only pray for leaders and people but also to be thankful for them. We are commanded to intercede for them and to give thanks for them.

• Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.  – Psalm 50:14-15

Thanksgiving is an offering. We can offer up thanksgiving when we have nothing else to give. If you lack money for an offering, offer up thanksgiving. Thankfulness is just as powerful as money in the eyes of God. Thankfulness allows you to call upon God in the day of trouble.

• Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.  – Psalm 95:2

• Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  – Psalm 100:4

Thankfulness is the way we enter into God’s presence. It is how we come into His gates. Thankfulness quickly ushers in the presence of God. He manifests where He is appreciated. No one likes to be where they are not wanted.

• By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.  – Hebrews 13:15

Thanksgiving is also a sacrifice we can offer up. Thanksgiving is instant fruit in our lives.