Comprehensive Guide to Christian Prayer Types, Expressions, and Practices

What are the five types of Christian prayer?

Adoration, Petition, Intercession, Thanksgiving, and Praise.

What is Adoration?

Acknowledging that we are creatures in the presence of our Creator and glorifying the God who made us.

What is Petition?

Asking, imploring, pleading, or crying out to God for our needs.

What does Petition show about our relationship with God?

Our dependence on God for our needs.

What is the first movement of Petition?

Asking forgiveness for our sins.

What two attitudes characterize Petition?

Humility and repentance.

What does Matthew 7:7 teach about Petition?

Ask → receive; seek → find; knock → the door will be opened.

What is Intercession?

Prayer made on behalf of the needs of others, including our enemies.

What is Thanksgiving?

Thanking God for the gifts we receive, including our joys and sorrows.

What is Praise?

A joyful prayer that recognizes that God is God and exults Him.

What part of Scripture is especially associated with Praise?

The Psalms.

What are the three expressions of Christian prayer?

Vocal, Meditative, and Contemplative.

What is the easiest way to distinguish the three expressions?

Vocal = lips; Meditative = mind; Contemplative = heart.

Can one prayer involve all three expressions?

Yes. A prayer can be vocal, meditative, and contemplative at the same time.

What is Vocal prayer?

Prayer expressed aloud through spoken or sung prayer.

What bodily gestures can accompany Vocal prayer?

Sign of the Cross, genuflection, kneeling, bowing, and dancing.

What is Meditative prayer?

Using the mind to understand the why and how of Christian life and to ponder God's will.

What question guides Meditative prayer?

"What does God ask of me?"

What four things does Meditation engage?

Thought, imagination, emotion, and desire.

What are the goals of Meditative prayer?

To deepen faith in Christ, convert our hearts toward God, and strengthen us to do God's will.

What can be used to help with Meditation?

Scripture, icons, spiritual writings, and creation/nature.

What is Contemplative prayer?

Silent listening to God and silent love.

What do we do during Contemplative prayer?

Rest attentively before Christ and listen to God's Word.

Who was St. Benedict?

The founder of Western Monasticism.

What form of Scripture prayer is associated with St. Benedict?

Lectio Divina.

What is Lectio Divina?

A sacred/divine way of reading and praying Scripture.

What are the four steps of Lectio Divina?

Lectio, Meditatio, Oratio, and Contemplatio.

What does Lectio mean?

Reading.

What does Meditatio mean?

Meditation.

What does Oratio mean?

Praying.

What does Contemplatio mean?

Contemplation.

Petition vs. Intercession?

Petition = praying for MY/OUR needs.

Intercession = praying for OTHER people's needs.

Adoration vs. Praise?

Adoration = glorifying God as our Creator.

Praise = joyfully recognizing that God is God.

Types of prayer vs. expressions of prayer?

Types = WHAT you're praying — Adoration, Petition, Intercession, Thanksgiving, Praise.

Expressions = HOW you're praying — Vocal, Meditative, Contemplative.

Meditative vs. Contemplative prayer?

Meditative = MIND → thinking/pondering God's will.

Contemplative = HEART → silently listening and resting with God.