Ephesians 6:18-20 - The Variety of Prayer

In1 Timothy 2:1 we read: “I exhort therefore, first of all, thatsupplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for allmen, for kings, and for all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet andpeaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptablein the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come tothe knowledge of the truth.” Then in verse 8 Paul goes on to write: “Idesire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, withoutwrath and doubting.” Today we want to talk about the variety ofprayer.  BeforeI do that, let me ask you to pray specifically for my family—Jonathan andHeidi—and my grandchildren. They are in Jordan. They contacted us early, rightafter this conflict began, and even showed us video of missiles going overheadand interceptors striking those missiles that were headed toward Israel. Theyare scheduled to come home tomorrow morning, Sunday morning, but that is nowuncertain. So please pray for Jonathan and his family, for their safety, andfor the safety of all Americans who are in that part of the Middle East. I wasable to Facetime with Jonathan and the grandchildren as they were on the roofof their apartment there in Amman Jordan for a few minutes early this morningour time. They said they would definitely appreciate all your prayers for theirfamily and all their associates and friends there in the Middle East! Weknow that as we pray, God answers prayer. Nothing is impossible with God. Hehas a divine purpose in everything that takes place. Our responsibility is topray. We stand in prayer. We stand in the gap. As you look at this passage ofScripture, notice the variety of prayer: “praying always with allprayer and supplication.” Also in Philippians 4:6 we read: “Be anxiousfor nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving,let your requests be made known to the Lord.” Prayerhas many forms. In these passages it is called prayer, supplication, andthanksgiving. Then in 1 Timothy 2:1, which we just read, it speaks ofsupplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks. We know thatprayer includes confession, petitions, intercession, thanksgiving, and praise. Sometimesbelievers only ask for things when they pray. But prayer is much more thanasking. When I was a brand-new Christian, I picked up a book by Dr. John R.Rice about prayer. The title was Prayer: Asking and Receiving.Certainly, prayer includes asking and receiving—but it is also thanksgiving. Itis also praise. It is also interceding for others. Jobprayed for his friends in Job 42:10. With friends like Job had, he did not needenemies—just read the book of Job. Yet when he prayed for his friends, theScripture says his captivity was turned. He was released. God was then able tobless him again in a wonderful and powerful way. Prayer may be public orprivate. It may be loud or silent. Often, as thoughts come to our minds, we canimmediately take them to the Lord. He knows our thoughts from afar, and we canturn those thoughts into prayer. Prayercan be planned or spontaneous. It might be while we are kneeling. It could bewhile we are standing, sitting, or walking. I practice prayer walking in myneighborhood regularly. It is a wonderful time to pray for my neighbors byname—those I have met—and to ask for God’s grace, mercy, help, and salvation torest upon them if they need Christ. Myfriend, prayer comes in many varieties and many forms. But the main thing isthat we pray always with all prayer and supplications. May the Lord help us todo just that. And again, I ask you to pray for our family—Jonathan, Heidi, andthe children—in the Middle East, along with all of our friends who are in thatregion. God bless you today. Jesus is coming soon. Keep looking up and continuein prayer. Godbless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.