The Scripture shows us a number of kinds of prayer. Ephesians 6:18 indicates there is all manner of prayer: “Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty” (AMPC). There’s personal prayer, the prayer for the sick (James 5:14-16), and corporate prayer, among many others. For example…
- There’s the Prayer of Salvation: “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved….” For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved’” (Romans 10:9-13, NKJV).
- There’s the Prayer of Agreement: “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:19, NKJV).
- There’s the Prayer of Dedication: “And He [Jesus] was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done’” (Luke 22:41-42, NKJV).
- There’s the Prayer of Thanksgiving and Praise: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6, NKJV).
- And there’s the Prayer of Petition: “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:13-20, NKJV).
Have you ever petitioned the very throne room of God, according to His Word, keeping in mind that His Word is His will? When Hannah longed to have a child, the Word says:
Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the LORD. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.” And it happened, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth. Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him” (1 Samuel 1:9-17, NKJV).
If we were to keep reading, we’d see in verses 20 and 27 that Hannah received her petition. “For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him” (1 Samuel 1:27, NKJV).
A petition is a formal written request addressed to a sovereign superior for a particular right or grace. In our lives, it’s a formal written request addressed to God Himself. Is there something you’re needing that is in accordance with the will and Word of God? Then write your petition. John 15:7 says, “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!”
When we ask (petition) God for what we want; when we write it down, along with the scripture we’re standing on, praying in faith, we will receive a heavenly grant! Every year, when the board of directors of Kenneth Copeland Ministries gathers and they determine what the ministry needs to operate for the upcoming year, it is written as a petition, and they all pray in agreement for God to grant their petition.
What is it that you need?
Write it down. Write a petition based on a scripture (or several scriptures) and watch God give you a heavenly grant. Watch Him grant your petition!