Prayer:

[Aquila]

I'm focusing in on prayer. In my studies I discovered that while prayer is rather simple, technically there are different types and methods of prayer. I wanted to list what I've found here and see if anyone had any insight on perhaps other types of prayer, forms of prayer, etc.

Types of Prayer:

Individual Prayer
Corporate Prayer
Repentance
Supplication (Request)
Thanksgiving
Worship
Consecration
Intercession
Imprecation
Mindfulness
Declaration
Binding/Loosing
Deliverance (Spiritual Warfare)
Contemplative (Meditation)
Soaking (Empowerment/Healing)
Tongues
Trance

There are also different bodily positions and approaches with regards to prayer. No specific one is "mandated" by Scripture. It appears that one's position and approach to prayer is more related to time, place, and individual preference.

Silent
Verbal (impromptu or read)
Standing
Kneeling
Laying
Prostrate
Sitting
Walking

There are also accessories to prayer. None of these are "mandated" by Scripture. Many aren't even found in Scripture. I note these things only because in the study of prayer I found that these things have often been used throughout history by various Christians. Accessories to prayer are designed to appeal to one or more of the five senses to set specific atmosphere to assist in focus and intentionality. Others are only to help count prayers or to help remind the individual to pray. Some are symbolic, and so they represent a spiritual truth or reality. Some Christian sects believe that some of these accessories might provide a means of spiritual grace and/or power. The use of accessories, and the accessories used, is often determined by a given sect's traditions or simply personal preference.

(Special note: Based on some schools of interpretation some of these accessories are believed by many to be prohibited by the Scriptures.)

Scripture
Anointing Oil
Prayer Cloths
Prayer Journals
Devotionals
Personal Item (for example a certain rocking chair)
Oil Lamps
Altars (personal, church, or natural)
Votive Candles
Incense
Blessed Water
Prayer Beads
Specialized Jewelry
Hand Held Crosses
Pocket Crosses
Coins/Tokens
Walking Sticks (rod or staff)
Pictures
Icons
Relics

Biblically speaking, I can only find the use of the following accessories mentioned in Scripture:

Scripture (Recitation during prayer)
Anointing Oil (New Testament)
Prayer Cloths (New Testament)
Altars (Old Testament)
Incense (Old Testament, New Testament/Symbolic)
Candles (Old Testament, New Testament/Symbolic)
Blessed Water (Old Testament)
Specialized Jewelry (Old Testament)
Walking Sticks/Rods/Staffs (Old Testament)

As for Apostolic Pentecostal Church tradition, I've only seen the following accessories used widely:

Scripture
Anointing Oil
Prayer Cloths

I have seen Apostolics use the following as accessories to prayer, but these are "oddities" of sorts:

Uncut hair
Cloth pocket cross
Prayer carpets (an evangelist that visited a church I attended was selling them)
Walking Stick/Rod/Staff

But after all my study and reflection on this, I think it should be said that regardless of tradition or personal preference, accessories are not needed in any way in the practice of prayer.

I think what caught my interest the most were all the different types of prayer there are. I've experienced all of them at some point or another in my prayer life. However, I didn't understand exactly how they were defined and distinguished from one another.