by Emily Wooten
Have you considered there are several types of prayer? A prayer of submission is one where the individual approaches the throne of grace to submit their will to God. Surrendering and repenting is what happens when a person is born again. We can learn from Daniel, that we need to surrender to God every day.
Daniel not only prayed prayers of submission, he also prayed prayers of supplication. In Daniel 10 we read where Daniel had been praying and fasting for three weeks. The angel Gabriel appeared to him and showed him how God had ordered the answer of his prayer before he asked.
Daniel 10: 12-14 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
Daniel was praying or supplicating for Jerusalem. Supplicating is an humble request to God for you, your family or others. So we can submit in prayer and we can supplicate in prayer.
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
For those of you who have received the infilling of the Holy Spirit and pray in an unknown tongue as the Spirit gives you utterance, Paul is telling us to pray in the Spirit. What we find is, as we submit our physical being to prayer in the Spirit, God causes our understanding to increase so that we know how to pray for that person or situation in words we recognize.
It is reasonable to see that we would not of our own knowledge or understanding be equipped to pray for all saints intelligently. Without the Holy Spirit to guide us we are clueless as to the needs of others. Our heavenly father knows what they need and he can through a word of wisdom, word of knowledge or interpretation show us what to ask for.
Scripture tells us we have not because we ask not. [James 4:2]
Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Every day we should be asking God to help our government leaders, pastors, teachers, family and friends. Daniel didn’t pray once daily and be done. He found it necessary to go to God in prayer morning afternoon and night. We see the same example from Jesus. He often removed himself from the crowds and took time to refresh his spirit by praying. Fellowshipping with God is the best way to stay informed and know what God has intended for our lives and his people. Reach out to God today for wisdom and understanding how you can be a vital part of the body of Christ in prayer.