Types of Prayer

Adoration

Praising God

Contrition

Asking God’s forgiveness

Petition

Asking God’s favor

Intercession

Praying in Behalf of Others

Thanksgiving

Showing God gratitudeRead more

What is the proper posture in which to pray?

There is no one right way in which to physically position yourself to pray. Among the Jews before Christ, the most common way of praying was standing. Hannah appears to have been standing in the temple when she was praying for a child (1 Samuel 1:26). Jesus said, “When ye stand praying, forgive…” (Mark 11:25).Read more

Prayer beads are used by many religions throughout the world, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, etc. to mark the repetitions of prayers, chants or devotions. The English word “bead” comes from an Old English word “bede” which means prayer. While their origin remains uncertain, prayer beads seemed be used in some fashion by pagan civilizations over 36 centuries ago. Their earliest verified, recorded historical use dates back to Hinduism, hundreds of years before Christ.

Jesus taught His disciples not to pray like the heathen who use vain repetitions. Prayer is an opening of the heart to God, not rote memorization and repetition. The use of prayer beads is not in conformity to the teachings of Christ.

And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
 —1 Chronicles 4:10

The prayer of Jabez encapsulates the power and beauty of a short prayer that God honored. Jabez began by calling on God to bless him. Surely we need the blessings of God on our lives, for without Him we are lost and in despair. It is God that gives us breath and every good gift. How much better to look to God for our help and strength than to place trust in our own ability or those around us. Others may fail but God is a constant, for He changes not.Read more