Types of Prayers in the Bible

12 Types of Prayers in the Bible

Spoiler Alert: This post is much more academic than it is devotional.

I thought it would be beneficial to give a brief overview of the types of prayers found in the Bible. This list is not inclusive, and I am sure some of you can think of other types of biblical prayers. If you do, please share them in the comments section.

I share these types of prayers because you might want to include them in your prayer routine. We can become “stuck” by continually using only one type of prayer in our lives. This is like eating the same thing every morning for breakfast. Most mornings, I have an English muffin for breakfast, but occasionally I mix things up a bit. I put a different kind of jam on my muffin, or I eat a bagel or a piece of toast. Best of all is when I have biscuits and gravy instead of my muffin. It can be the same way with our prayers. Using a different format and approach can enrich our prayer life. Here are twelve types of prayers expressed in the Bible - each with a scriptural example. Most of the examples are from the Psalms - a great place to read different kinds of prayer.

1.Prayer of Invocation

How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you! (2 Samuel 7:22 NLT)

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2.Prayer of Adoration

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. (Psalm 63:4 NIV)

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3.Prayer of Thanksgiving

Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2 CSB)

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4.Prayer of Examination

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. [24] See if there is any offensive way in me,   and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV)

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5.Prayer of Confession

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:9 NLT)

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6.Prayer of Meditation

…when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; (Psalm 63:6 ESV)

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7.Prayer for Healing

Be gracious to me, LORD, for I am weak; heal me, LORD, for my bones are shaking; (Psalm 6:2 CSB)

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8.Prayer of Intercession

So, we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. (Colossians 1:9a NLT)

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9.Prayer of Remembrance

Remember, LORD, your compassion and your faithful love, for they have existed from antiquity. (Psalm 25:6 CSB)

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10.Prayer of Meditation

…when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; (Psalm 63:6 ESV)

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11.Prayer for Help (during distress)

But in my distress, I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears. (Psalm 18:6 NLT)

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12.Prayer of Communion

O LORD, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry out in your presence, [2] let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry. (Psalm 88:1-2 NRSV