Some say three, perhaps based upon the trinity, the triune nature of the Christian God. Some say five, perhaps based upon the Kabbalistic uniqueness of prime numbers, or as a reference to the Mosaic Pentateuch. It is quite likely that arguments could be made for an alternative number of prayer types based upon Islamic, Hindustanic, Buddhistic, and other religious numeric touchstones. However, the vast majority of experts refer to four types of prayer: intercessory or supplication; offertory, to include penitential or confessional; thanksgiving; and contemplative or adoration.
Often there is a tendency to approach each of these as if they were in a rank order; that is, to assume for instance that contemplative prayer is higher or better than intercessory prayer. This is too superficial a view. For purposes of visualization, consider, rather, that each of these four prayer types is one of the four sides of a pyramid, triangular in shape. Each of the three sides abuts and complements the adjacent triangle or prayer type. Thus, all four connect with each of the other three types, forming a pyramid. Think of this not as a pyramid planted on earth, thus obscuring one facet, but as a four-sided die-piece much as might be found in some board games. There is something about the three-dimensionality of this image that is appealing. The purpose of this image is not to make a connection with the ancient Egyptians, let alone the Mayan or Incan pyramids, the majority of which were five sided rather than four anyway. Rather, the purpose of the image is to show the interrelatedness of the four types of prayer.
What, exactly, is a prayer of supplication, an intercessory plea? Whatever the higher power or authority to which such is directed, an intercessory prayer is, by definition, a request for assistance, an acknowledgment of the need for help. Whether the desired end is a tangible item, a psychological support, or an emotional relief, the supplicant is inherently attributing to an “Other” abilities far beyond those merely human. However facetiously said in passing, few would argue against a prayer for world peace or the cessation of child abuse and exploitation.
An offertory prayer is a message of transmittal accompanying a gift to an “Other.” That gift may be the monetary assistance collected by a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, monastery, or other religious house. The gift could be one of self, a dedication of one’s life to a specific order as a religious. It may even be the overt announcement of sin by a penitent seeking not just expiation through confession, but also the accompanying commitment or recommitment to a life of religious observance.
At first the meaning of a prayer of thanksgiving may seem too obvious to warrant any further appraisal; however, such givings of thanks may go far beyond a blessing grace said at meals or the apparently trite and often too blithely said “Thank God!” said in quick relief of a disaster averted or a relief from worry. Prayers of thanksgiving may be like those provided at commencement or graduation invocations or offered at the completion of a transfer of power in a government. Often thanksgiving prayers may themselves be the fulfillment of promises made during previous prayers of supplication: “I will do so many of thus and so if You do this and that!” Perhaps the initial “bargaining” may seem ill-conceived, but the fulfillment of the thanksgiving prayer may offer an opportunity of greater sincerity.
Finally, contemplative prayers or prayers of adoration provide the opportunity to reflect on the “Other” or an “other,” on power beyond one’s own ability or control. Such adoration may be as seemingly simple as looking up at a pristine night sky and acknowledging something greater than oneself. Such contemplation may be as complex as one’s internalized questioning as to life’s purpose and one’s own place in such a life. These are indeed deep concepts often necessitating not only thoughtful reflection, but solitude and focus and humility.
It is easy initially to consider prayers of thanksgiving or contemplation as being of a higher nature than those of supplication or offertory. Take for example a prayer request to provide some item of personal worth, such as acceptance of a low offer on a house purchase or that one’s transgression be confessed, offered up, and forgiven by both a partner and a deity. Both of these examples, while likely affecting many others beyond just the requestor, seem to pale in importance when compared to a prayer of thanksgiving or adoration, as for the remission of cancer in a loved one or the overt beauty of a spring day in all its glory. Consider some alternatives, however. What is the value of prayer beseeching the preservation of others’ lives in a natural disaster, or of another’s prayer of thanksgiving for getting a good grade on a test?
The point to be made is not to diminish the efficacy of a particular type of prayer, nor to denigrate a particular type of pray-er. All four types of prayer are objectively equal; however, the subjective intentions of those invoking prayer may be very trivial or very sublime. Only the one praying knows. That is as it should be. The purpose or intentionality of prayer is of far greater importance than categorization. It is not trite to reiterate: one’s words are insignificant beside what is in one’s heart; that is all that counts.
Envision once again the three-dimensional pyramid, spinning in space. Each side is a triangle representing one of the four types of prayer. The edges of each triangle connect to the other triangles and the pyramid construct represents an integrated whole. No one type of prayer is sufficient for all circumstances and, likely, each type of prayer is reliant upon the others. It is a mind experiment worth pursuing. Humankind is far too frail in this immense universe not to seek assistance; to acknowledge its weaknesses and failings; to express its gratitude for successes and advancements; and, to contemplate and to adore that that is so much greater than one’s self.
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