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The Prayer Hand Illustration

The Prayer Hand illustration is an easy-to-remember tool highlighting five methods of increasing your prayer. Use it for your own spiritual growth and to share with someone else.

The Prayer Hand

THE PRAYER HAND

Many believers find extended time in prayer is a difficult spiritual discipline. Here’s an easy way to remember five essential aspects of prayer. Pray through each of these five aspects, remembering that prayer is really about aligning our hearts with God’s, and as the fifth aspect explains below, praises to God should permeate every part.

  1. CONFESSION – I agree with God about my sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
  2. PETITION – I ask God to provide for my needs. “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.” 1 Samuel 1:27
  3. INTERCESSION – I ask God to provide for the needs of others. “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. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…” Ephesians 6:18-19
  4. THANKSGIVING – I thank God for what He has done in, through, and for me. I thank Him for His answers to prayers in the lives of those around me and for His ongoing work across the nation and the world. “…always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20
  5. PRAISE – I let my enjoyment and adoration of God overflow into words. As the thumb is able to touch all four other fingers, so praise should permeate every part of my prayer life. “Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” Psalm 146:1-2