It is important for us to be thankful to God for all the He has done for us and will do in the future.  We can give thanks for the future because when He makes a promise, it is done.

Psalms 75:1

1 To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Psalm of Asaph. A Song. We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.

Psalms 69:30

30 I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.

3) Prayers for your needs, or supplications

When you ask for things for yourself, make sure they will bring glory to God.

John 14:13-14

13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

He tells us to ask Him for wisdom, so that is a sure thing!

James 1:5

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Jesus tells us in the “Our Father” prayer to ask for protection against spiritual forces of darkness and for our daily provisions. Trusting God to provide for us is what God wants to see.  That doesn’t mean you don’t have to work. God will provide you the ability to earn money which provides the food, clothing and shelter, or basic needs.  Ask for forgiveness and ask to forgive others.

Matthew 6:9-13

9 “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Notice how this prayers covers the bases.  It starts with praise and reverence.  It asks that God’s will be done, not our own.  It asks for our basic needs. It asks for our forgiveness and protection from spiritual darkness.  This prayer assumes that you are already saved and are not praying for salvation. 

4) Spiritual Warfare Prayers

There is a mighty battle going on around us that we are not physically aware of.  It is a spiritual battle, as described by Paul. 

Ephesians 6:12

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

We are to pray to put on the Armor of God (see the section on this topic). This should be a daily prayer to prepare ourselves for battle. 

We also will find situations in which we are faced with a demonic or satanic force and pray to cast that force out of a person’s life and surroundings.  In this case you demand their departures and do so with the authority of the name of Jesus Christ.  They then have no choice but to obey.

5) Prayers for Others

The Bible teaches us that we should be praying for others. Here are a few verses that tell us that.

James 5:16

16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Ephesians 6:18

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Colossians 1:9

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,

This shows that prayers for the spiritual growth of other believers is God ordained.

Matthew 5:44

44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

We should also be praying for the salvation of unbelievers.  They need salvation urgently.  A righteous believer loves the lost and wants them to come to Jesus and ask for salvation.  Wherever you are, you can pray for the salvation of the people around you, even if you do not know them.  God does.