The Elements of Prayer

This morning, I was reading from “The New City Catechism Devotional” and the question, “What is Prayer?” The answer and description provided in the devotional are excellent, especially the illustration about the four elements (Confession, Petition, Praise, and Thanks) that can be used when we pray.

The illustration was written by Pastor John Piper, and it’s such an excellent example that I felt the need to share it with the community. I wrote it in four separate paragraphs for easy reading and highlighted the elements. 

“Suppose I have to speak in front of a group, and I am nervous (you can pick your particular challenge). As the moment approaches, I wonder, “Am I going to be able to do this? Will I remember what I have to say? Will I make a fool of myself?” And at that moment I confess my need to God. I say, “Lord, I’m a sinner. I don’t deserve your help, but I need your help. I can’t do anything without you.” That’s the confession step of prayer. 

And then I turn my confession to petition. “Lord, please help me. I need memory. I need articulation. I need the right spirit. I need humility. I need to look the people in the eye. I need all these things. I want to be helpful to my listeners. But I don’t have it in me to be all that they need. Help me.” That’s the petition step of prayer. A cry for help. 

And then I need to reach out and take hold of something about God that will be worthy of my praise and worthy of my trust. Like God says, “I’ll strengthen you. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you up with my victorious right hand” (see Isa 41:10). I take hold of that promise, that power, that love, that mercy, and I hold onto it. And I trust him and praise him. “You, oh Lord, can help me. I trust you to help me. I praise you for being the kind of God who is willing and able to help me!” That’s the trust and praise step of prayer. 

Then I give my talk, trusting him. And when I am done, no matter what, I thank him. Since I trusted him for his help, I believe that he is going to use my effort, no matter how well I think I did. “Thank you, Lord!”” That is the thanks step of prayer.” 1

I hope this is helpful as you spend your quiet times in prayer and meditation. 

  1. The Gospel Coalition and Redeeming Presbyterian Church. The New City Catechism Devotional: God’s Truth for Our Hearts and Minds. (P. 168-169). Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2017. ↩︎

* Scripture quotation from ESV Bible, 2001.

27 thoughts on “The Elements of Prayer”

  1. Wonderful article! Prayer offers solace, a sense of guidance and a sense of direction to God who is greater than myself or any other human.
    It’s a time and a space for reflection, gratitude and seeking for deep settled in peace .
    Great reading this Edward. 🌸

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  2. Beautiful…morning devotional time is sacred and powerful. However we get there. I appreciate the four elements you’ve described — confession, petition, prayer and thanks. 💕

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  3. Interesting summary, Edward. Prayer is indeed a powerful force of trust and affirmative action. Miracles are born here. Maybe it’s just me but I have a hard time the language of being a sinner which is always off putting for me since so much of religion is built on fear. We’ve all made mistakes, done things wrong etc, I just wish the lingo was different.. Maybe it’s just me but I find it off putting. I do agree gratitude and turning things over and putting in our trust in God is a daily endeavor. 💓💕💓

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    1. Great points, Cindy. I love what you said about prayer, miracles, and gratitude; powerful and on point. I agree with you regarding the word “sin”, it’s a strong one. I believe translators had a purpose in selecting that word, and as you said, fear was probably behind it. Other words such as “transgressions” or maybe “disobedience” are probably more useful, and I know some translators are using “transgressions” because, like you said, we all make mistakes and do things wrong. The goal should be to invite dialogue not to push people out. 🫶🏼

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      1. Thanks Edward.. I hesitantly shared my thoughts but I thought “It’s Edward, he’ll get this” and of course you more than did and I so agree with you. Thanks for getting me. Those words definitely work in a much more inclusive way my friend. Hugs🤗

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        1. Absolutely! I’m an open-minded guy who loves constructive dialogue. I believe it’s how we build community and find solutions to the big problems affecting our world. Your opinion is extremely valuable and always helpful to me. Never hesitate, my friend. 🙏🏼

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  6. Great advice Edward, I used to have a very hard time praying but once I accepted that the Lord would open my heart it became easier every day. Now I talk with Jesus many times a day and I feel so much better inside by doing things his way (including prayer) that I now see the blessings he provides both big and small. Have a blessed day my friend.

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    1. Thank you for those words, Ernie. You are absolutely right. We have the ability to speak with Him anytime without any constraints. It’s definitely a blessing, and I agree with you, it improves the way we feel.

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  8. Beautiful post, as usual. There is definitely an element of gratitude and an intention as it comes to praying 🙏 speaking your petition and reverence, also a pattern in which I follow 😊

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    1. Thank you so much, Laura. I used to think that prayer was hard and intimidating. The act of sitting in silence and praying was weird, especially when you don’t know how to do it. It took some time to erase old-fashioned patterns and to realize that prayer is just a conversation where you have the space to be open about whatever is going on in our lives.

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      1. It is most definitely like a conversation, also having the confidence to know you are being heard and that what you are seeking will come through for you. 🙏 😊

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  9. When you ask, it is given. God will always help his children in need. But the first step must be ours – one step of courage of the child, one thousand steps of help of the Father! Thank you, Edward, for reminding us of the importance of prayer, asking, and gratitude 🙏 God be with you 💫

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