Introduction: Not All Prayers Are the Same

Every believer knows how to pray — but not every believer knows what kind of prayer to use in a given situation. Prayer is not a one-size-fits-all expression. Scripture reveals that God responds to many forms of prayer:

• prayer of petition

• prayer of intercession

• prayer of command

• prayer of pronouncement

• prayer of blessing

• prayer of warfare

Once we have completed Stage One (Interview) and Stage Two (Diagnosis) in the healing model, we arrive at a critical moment:

Stage Three: Prayer Selection

What prayer is needed for this specific person in this specific situation?

You cannot pray effectively until you know what kind of prayer to use.
If you pray petition where Jesus is calling for command, the breakthrough may stall.
If you pray command where Jesus is inviting gentle intercession, the person may feel overwhelmed.

Prayer Selection is spiritual wisdom in action.
It is the art of partnering with the Holy Spirit, using the model of Jesus’ ministry.

“Right diagnosis leads to right prayer — and right prayer leads to real breakthrough.”

1. Jesus Used Different Kinds of Prayer for Different Situations

Jesus never ministered with mechanical formulas. Through the Gospels, we find Him using:

A. Petition

Lifting requests to the Father.

B. Command

Speaking directly to the condition or spirit.

C. Pronouncement

Declaring what God is already doing.

D. Intercession

Standing between heaven and earth for another.

E. Blessing

Invoking God’s intention over a person.

Each form served a different purpose.
Each was used with discernment.
Each demonstrated a unique aspect of Kingdom authority.

2. Two Major Categories of Biblical Prayer

The Five-Stage Model categorizes prayer into two primary expressions:

Category 1 — Prayer Toward God (Petition & Intercession)

These prayers ask God to move, intervene, or empower.

1. Petition

Petition is the simplest and most familiar.

Examples:

• “Lord, heal…”

• “Father, touch…”

• “God, bring restoration…”

Biblical illustration:
People brought a deaf and mute man to Jesus and begged Him to lay hands on the man (Mark 7:32). Petition can invite God’s movement in situations where the cause is natural, emotional, or relational.

2. Intercession

Intercession is prayer where we stand in the gap for another.

Paul describes this in 1 Corinthians 14:15 — praying with the mind and the spirit.

This form is crucial when:

• the person is emotionally numb

• the person is spiritually oppressed

• the person lacks strength or faith

• deep wounds must be carried to the Father

Intercession is how we “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2).

Pull Quote

“Petition invites God’s presence. Intercession carries the person into God’s presence.”

Category 2 — Prayer From God (Command & Pronouncement)

These prayers are not requests — they are acts of authority.

1. Command Prayer

Jesus used command prayer constantly:

• “Be healed.”

• “Come out of him!”

• “Stretch out your hand.”

• “Little girl, arise.”

Command prayer is used when:

• a demon is the cause

• a physical affliction has spiritual roots

• authority must be exercised

• sickness must obey Kingdom rule

Scriptural examples:

• Jesus rebukes a fever (Luke 4:39).

• Jesus commands Lazarus to come forth (John 11:43).

• Jesus commands the storm to be still (Mark 4:39).

This is not shouting.
Not emotional hype.
Not force.
It is quiet, confident authority rooted in identity.

2. Pronouncement Prayer

This prayer declares what God is doing or has decided.

Examples:

• “Your faith has healed you.”

• “You are loosed.”

• “Go in peace.”

• “The Lord bless you and keep you.”

Pronouncement often carries weight to break:

• shame

• rejection

• discouragement

• unbelief

• inner vows

It restores dignity and identity.

Jesus used pronouncement prayer with the woman who’d been bent over for 18 years:

“Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” (Luke 13:12)

This wasn’t a command to the spirit —
it was a declaration to the woman
that the Father’s intention toward her was freedom.

3. How to Choose the Right Kind of Prayer

Prayer selection flows naturally out of:

• the interview

• the diagnostic decision

• the leading of the Holy Spirit

• biblical understanding

Below is a guide to selecting the right prayer for the right moment.

A. When the Cause is Natural

(illness, physical injury, stress, emotional exhaustion)

Use:

• Petition

• Intercession

• Blessing

Example:
A person with arthritis from aging or repetitive injury.
Pray for God’s presence, healing, and comfort.

B. When the Cause is Emotional or Psychological

(trauma, anxiety, inner vows, grief, heartbreak, fear)

Use:

• Intercession

• Pronouncement

• Petition

Example:
Someone crippled by fear may need a declaration:

“The peace of Christ rules in your heart.”

C. When the Cause is Demonic or Spiritual

(oppression, torment, nightmares, physical affliction with no natural root)

Use:

• Command

• Rebuke

• Binding

• Pronouncement

Example:
Jesus recognized the spirit behind the woman bent over in Luke 13, then delivered her through authoritative action.

D. When the Person is Weary or Hopeless

Use:

• Blessing

• Pronouncement

• Intercession

Example:
A declaration like:
“You are the beloved of the Father.”
may break off years of shame.

E. When God Gives Specific Revelation

Use the prayer aligned with the revelation:

• Word of knowledge → often command

• Word of wisdom → often direction/pronouncement

• Compassion surge → intercession

• Vision or picture → petition or pronouncement

The Spirit knows exactly what is needed.

4. The Danger of Using the Wrong Type of Prayer

Many believers instinctively pray petition for everything.

But Jesus rarely prayed petition for healing.

Why?

Because petition asks God to do what He has already given us authority to do.

Imagine praying:

“Lord, please cast out this spirit,”
when Jesus already said:

“You give them something to eat…” (Mark 6:37)
and
“You will trample on serpents and scorpions…” (Luke 10:19)

Command is needed, not petition.

Likewise:

If someone is crushed emotionally and needs compassion, not authority…
command prayer may feel harsh, overwhelming, or misaligned.

Pull Quote

“Prayer must match the root. Wrong prayer at the wrong time can hinder healing rather than help it.”

5. Biblical Case Studies of Prayer Selection

Let’s explore three powerful examples where Jesus demonstrates prayer selection.

Case Study 1 — Healing Peter’s Mother-in-law (Luke 4:38–39)

Cause: Fever
Root: Spirit of affliction
Prayer type: Command

Jesus

• rebuked the fever

• and it left immediately

No petition.
No intercession.
Direct authority.

Case Study 2 — Raising Lazarus (John 11)

Cause: Death
Root: display of God’s glory
Prayer type: Pronouncement + Command

Jesus uses both forms:

1. Pronouncement:
   “This sickness is not unto death but for the glory of God.”
   (sets the spiritual frame)

2. Command:
   “Lazarus, come forth!”

Perfectly matched.

Case Study 3 — Healing the Deaf and Mute Man (Mark 7:31–37)

Cause: Physical condition
Root: natural
Prayer type: Petition + Command

Jesus:

• looks up to heaven (petition)

• sighs (intercession)

• says “Be opened!” (command)

Jesus seamlessly blends prayer forms.

6. Practical Framework for Prayer Selection

Here is a simple step-by-step method:

1. Pause for 3 Seconds

Ask:
“Holy Spirit, how should I pray?”

Silence is powerful.

2. Review the Diagnosis

What is the likely root?

• emotional?

• spiritual?

• natural?

3. Begin Gently

Start with petition or blessing.
It opens the person’s heart.

4. Shift When the Spirit Moves

Sometimes during ministry the Spirit will nudge:

• “Command now.”

• “Declare My word.”

• “Break that lie.”

• “Bless the identity.”

Stay flexible.

5. Watch for Effect

Signs the right prayer type is being used:

• warmth

• tears

• deep breath

• peace

• shaking

• release

• relief

• emotional shift

If nothing shifts, change the prayer type.

The Holy Spirit leads through response.

7. What Prayer Selection Looks Like in Real Ministry

Scene:
A man has chronic shoulder pain.

Interview:
Started after a car accident.
Medical treatment helped but didn’t resolve it.
He’s carrying deep stress from family conflict.

Diagnosis:
Natural injury + emotional weight.

Step 1 — Start with petition:
“Holy Spirit, bring Your presence.”

Step 2 — Intercession:
“Father, lift the burden he’s been carrying…”

He begins to tear up.
The Spirit is touching the emotional root.

Step 3 — Pronouncement:
“You are not carrying this alone. The Lord is your strength.”

More release.

Step 4 — Command (for physical healing):
“In Jesus’ name, shoulder be restored.”

He tests it.
Pain is gone.

This is the power of prayer selection.

“When your prayer aligns with the Father’s intention, breakthrough becomes normal.”

8. Pitfalls to Avoid in Prayer Selection

1. Using only one kind of prayer

Petition for everything.
Command for everything.
Both are imbalanced.

2. Copying someone else’s prayer style

You are not John Wimber.
You are not Heidi Baker.
You are not Brian.
Be yourself.

3. Praying louder to gain authority

Volume ≠ power.
Identity = authority.

4. Overthinking it

Follow the Spirit, not formulas.

5. Moving too fast

Take time.
Watch.
Listen.
Discern.

9. The Holy Spirit Is Your Partner — Not Your Critic

God is not evaluating your performance.
He is inviting your partnership.

He loves the person in front of you more than you ever could.
You’re simply listening and responding.

Even if you choose the wrong prayer at first,
He gently redirects you.

Your success is not rooted in perfection —
but in obedience.

Summary

Prayer Selection is the art of choosing the right kind of prayer for the real root cause. It is the bridge between diagnosis and effective breakthrough. Through petition, intercession, command, and pronouncement, we join Jesus in ministering with precision, compassion, and authority.

Key Points

• Prayer is not one-size-fits-all; it must match the root.

• Jesus modeled different prayer forms for different situations.

• Petition asks God to move, command exercises authority, pronouncement reveals God’s intention, and intercession carries the person to the Father.

• The Holy Spirit leads us moment by moment in selecting the proper prayer.

Engaging Question

When you pray for others, which form of prayer do you tend to use most — and how might the Holy Spirit be inviting you to expand into new expressions of Kingdom authority?