Some Christians categorize prayer into four types: adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication. The acrostic ACTS reminds us of these forms of prayer and the order in which to pray them:

• A for “adoration” — prayers of praise. The psalms include many examples of adoration prayers.
• C for “confession” — prayers of repentance. With this type of prayer, we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness.
• T for “thanksgiving” — prayers of gratitude. We take time to thank God for his faithfulness and love.
• S for “supplication” — requests. We should always begin with a humble heart when we ask God to meet our requests. Common prayers of supplication include asking God for:
  • Provision of basic needs.
  • The desires of our hearts (Psalm 20:4).
  • Clarity when making decisions.

Another type of prayer is one of intercession. Intercessory prayer is when we pray for one another. Jesus often prayed on behalf of others. In John 17, he prayed for his disciples and all those who believed his message.

The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit is our intercessor. “And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:27). It’s amazing to know that the Holy Spirit brings requests to the Father on our behalf.

Compassion sponsors and employees pray many prayers of intercession. We frequently and humbly plead with God to:

• End poverty.
• Provide children with food and safe water.
• Protect children from abuse and exploitation.
• Equip churches around the world to speak hope and truth into the lives of children living in desperate circumstances.

A litany is another type of prayer. It is used in services and processions at some churches. It calls on the mercy of Jesus Christ for a variety of petitions. 

Many other forms of prayers can be found in liturgical services. Liturgy is a rite or rites prescribed for public worship. Specifically, liturgy usually relates to Eucharistic practices — those meant for communion with God. In church services — especially in the Anglican church — liturgical prayers are often practiced as a call and response between a pastor and congregation. It’s a way to more actively include congregants in communal prayers. Liturgy can also help develop more discipline in prayer. Common liturgical practices include the Lord’s Prayer (“Our Father”), Lectio Divina and the Liturgy of the Hours and sacraments from the Book of Common Prayer.

Famous Prayers

So what are some good prayers? Here are a few famous prayers to use as inspiration.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer is one Jesus shared with his disciples:

“This, then, is how you should pray:
‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’”
(Matthew 6:9-13 NIV)

The Serenity Prayer

This famous prayer has evolved over the years. It was likely written in the early- to mid-20th century and is most commonly attributed to American theologian Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr.

This is the current version used by churches and 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.

The Sinner’s Prayer

“The sinner’s prayer” refers to any prayer of repentance. Here are a couple of sinner’s prayers from famous ministers:

Dear heavenly Father, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins. I repent of my sins. I invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name, amen.
— The Rev. Billy Graham

Our Holy Father, we confess the weakness and sinfulness of our lives. We have often turned away from thee to seek our own desires. And often when we have done no evil, we have undertaken nothing of good, and so have been guilty of uselessness and neglect. From this sin of idleness and indifference set us free. Lead us into fruitful effort, and deliver us from profitless lives. We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
— The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Liturgical Prayers

Lectio Divina: A structure for prayer consisting of four steps: lectio (reading), oratio (praying), meditatio (meditation) and contemplatio (contemplating).

Daily Examen: A prayer technique practiced by St. Ignatius that invites reflection on the day. It has five steps: become aware of God’s presence, review your day with gratitude, pray about one aspect of your day, pay attention to your emotions and look toward tomorrow.

The Liturgy of the Hours: Mostly made up of psalms, hymns and chants, this public prayer discipline follows a four-week cycle. It’s prayed at specific times, or “hours,” of the day and is a way for the Church to praise God and bless his people.

Grace (Before-Meal Prayers)

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV)

People of many faiths say prayers of thanksgiving before eating. Here are some common ways Christians say grace. They vary by denomination, faith tradition and family:

Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest
And bless what you have bestowed.

For what we are about to receive
may the Lord make us truly thankful. Amen.

Bless us, oh Lord,
and these, thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thy bounty.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Oh, God, when I have food
help me to remember the hungry;
when I have work, help me
to remember the jobless;
when I have a warm home,
help me to remember the homeless;
when I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer;
and remembering, help me
to destroy my complacency
and bestir my compassion.
Make me concerned enough
to help, by word and deed,
those who cry out
for what we take for granted.
— The Rev. Samuel F. Pugh

Bedtime Prayers for Kids

There are many variations of easy-to-remember bedtime prayers for children. Here are a couple of rhymes to help kids develop a strong personal prayer life from an early age:

Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
May God guard me through the night,
And wake me with the morning’s light. Amen.

Thank you, God, for the world so sweet;
thank you, God, for the food we eat;
thank you, God, for the birds that sing;
thank you, God, for everything!

Lord in heaven, hear my prayer;
keep me in your loving care.
Be my guide in all I do.
Bless all those who love me, too.

What Does ‘Amen’ Mean?

“Amen” is translated from a Hebrew word that literally means “truly” or “so be it.” It is often said at the end of prayers as a way of saying to God, “Please let it be so.” In the New Testament, the writers ended their epistles with “amen.” So we are following their example when we say it.

Bible Verses About Prayer

From the New International Version:

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (Romans 8:26)

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! (Psalm 66:20)

The LORD said to him: “I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me.” (1 Kings 9:3)

Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.” (Genesis 25:21)

Hear my prayer, LORD, listen to my cry to help. (Psalm 39:12)

“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22)

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. (Hebrews 5:7)

Quotes About Prayer

“Prayer is the God-given communication link between heaven and earth, time and eternity, the finite and the infinite.”

— Tony Evans

“If prayer leads us into a deeper unity with the compassionate Christ, it will always give rise to concrete acts of service.” — Henri Nouwen

“Prayer is a gift. It is an opportunity to connect with God, to be told what we don’t know.” — Annie F. Downs

“When prayer is long in the answering it will be all the sweeter in the receiving, like fruit which is well ripened by hanging longer on the tree.” — Charles Spurgeon

“Prayer is spiritual communication between man and God, a two-way relationship in which man should not only talk to God but also listen to Him.” — Billy Graham

“Real prayer isn’t about changing God’s mind, but about finding God’s heart, and letting his heart change our minds.” — Ann Voskamp

“It is not so true that ‘prayer changes things’ as that prayer changes me and I change things.”

— Oswald Chambers

“There is incredible power in the prayer of a child.” — Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado

“Prayer is how we align our hearts with God and when we receive his promptings.” — Barb Roose

“The power of prayer is not based on the one who says it but on the one who hears it. Don’t wait to be perfect to pray.” — Kirk Franklin

“Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” — Max Lucado

When Is the National Day of Prayer?

The United Stages Congress has set aside the first Thursday of May as the National Day of Prayer. It’s a powerful day to call upon the Lord on behalf of the whole U.S.

Dear God, I praise you for creating a world full of beauty, diversity and different places. Today I pray specifically for the countries where Compassion-sponsored children live. Pour out your love, protection and wisdom onto the nations. Protect those who are forgotten, oppressed, victims of natural disasters and living in poverty. Overwhelm each country with your presence.

Dear God, please be with the people who hold positions of leadership in this country – in government, in communities, in local churches, in schools, in homes. Provide leaders wisdom, discernment and humility. Give them the opportunities to be protectors, advocates and beacons of positive change. Guide their path so that they may lead others well.

Lord, today I pray for the leaders in the countries where Compassion works. Empower government leaders, local leaders, pastors, teachers and parents to guide with wisdom, love and passion. Equip them with the materials and knowledge they need to bring positive change to their circles. Give them hearts to remember, care for and protect children living in poverty within their community.

Lord, thank you for the local church. Thank you that we can worship you freely in this country. Today I pray that the thousands of churches scattered across this country would serve as beacons of light, hope and peace. May they bring hope to their communities by caring for the poor, inviting people in and serving as examples of the unconditional love of Jesus.

Dear God, thank you for local churches all around the world. I pray specifically for the churches Compassion partners with. May they be places of safety, refuge and hope. Help them to meet the specific needs of their communities. Continue to equip them to care for children well. May local churches across the globe change the world for your glory.

In the name of Jesus, amen!

Praying for Children

Prayer is a powerful and important conversation with God. For children in poverty who continually face hunger, disease and disaster, prayer is a lifeline. They recognize that even if there is no one else to turn to, they can turn to God, who will hear their prayers. The act of prayer gives children in poverty hope that things will change.