Is it obligatory to praise Allah and send blessings upon the Prophet before every formula of seeking forgiveness or seeking refuge, and are seeking forgiveness and seeking refuge considered supplication?

It is recommended to praise, laud, and thank Allah, and to mention His names and attributes before supplicating; this is because it is one of the causes for a prayer to be answered. Seeking forgiveness and seeking refuge are types of supplication. The formulas for seeking forgiveness and seeking refuge in the noble Sunnah came in two categories: The first is what was accompanied by praise of Allah, and an example of this is the master of seeking forgiveness (Sayyid al-Istighfar). The second is what was not preceded by praise, such as the saying: "O Allah, forgive my error and my ignorance," and "My Lord, forgive me and accept my repentance, for You are the Accepter of Repentance, the Most Merciful." Therefore, whoever adheres to what is authentically transmitted should take it as it was ورد. As for whoever seeks forgiveness for himself, he may begin with praise and glorification or directly with seeking forgiveness.