PRAYER

Many believe that prayer is how we get God to respond to what we want ... a vain attempt to conform His will to ours. The exact opposite is true. It is to be an intimate, Spirit-led interaction that transforms our will to His. 

Scripture reveals several types: 

Penitential - confession and repentance ... Have mercy upon me, O God. According to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. (Psalm 51:1-2)

Thanksgiving - appreciation for God’s work and character ... Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Psalm 103:1-5)

Lamentation - expressions from a heart weary of the battle ... Lord, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you. May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry. I am overwhelmed with troubles, and my life draws near to death. (Psalm 88:1-3)

Intercessory - especially when one's soul is burdened for those who are lost ... For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

Trust - remembering the Lord's truth in a world full of lies ... Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. (Psalm 143:8,118:8) 

Approach God as a beloved child to his Father.

Spurgeon - He that made the ear, shall He not hear? He that gave parents a love to their children, will He not listen to the cries of His own sons and daughters? Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the peace of God.

No need to shy away from His throne when words escape you ... The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:26)

Spend much time at God's feet, pilgrim.