Prayer, Part 1: Types of Prayer

Prayer is the greatest work of the Christian. The purpose is to find out God's will for our lives. Remember, there are two people involved in prayer: you and the Lord. Prayer is the breath of the soul.

There are 6 Hebrew terms that are rendered Prayer:
• Tufulla = Supplication, plea for mercy. (Psalms 65:2, Isaiah 1:15, Job 16:17)
• Palal = to judge and then to intervene as umpire or mediator; Intercessory. (Gen 20:7, Deut 9:20, Isa 7:5, Job 42:8)
• Rib = to plead a cause as before a judge. (Job 15:4, Ps 55:17, Isa 1:17)
• Anthar = to burn incense as lifting prayer to God. (Job 33:26)
• Halah = to caress, to stroke the face gently, to strive to please God. (Zech 7:2, 8:21-22)
• Lahash = to whisper, prayer uttered in a low voice. (Isa 29:1-4)

Greek terms rendered prayer:
• Deesis: for particular benefits, personal needs.
• Prosezche: prayer in general devotion.
• Enteuxis: confiding access to God, child-like confidence as one's heart converses with God.
• Euche: a wish or petition to God.

Psalm 65 Supplication type prayer
Psalms 55, plead type prayer, to plead a cause before a judge, to act like an attorney.
stroke God's face type of prayer – very personal and pleasing.
1 ¶ For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. Maschil of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; And hide not thyself from my supplication.
2 Attend unto me, and answer me: I am restless in my complaint, and moan,
3 Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they cast iniquity upon me, And in anger they persecute me. David is asking for help because there is so much turmoil going on here.
4 My heart is sore pained within me...