Prayer is a vital part of the Christian life. The Bible has a great deal to say about prayer and teaches us how to pray in accordance with God’s will. Here are some key Bible verses about prayer:
Pray Continually
1 Thessalonians 5:17 says “pray without ceasing.” This indicates we should have a lifestyle of continual prayer and be in constant communion with God. Prayer should be part of our everyday life, not just something we do in times of need.
Ask and It Will Be Given
Matthew 7:7 says “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” God encourages us to bring our needs and desires to Him in prayer. When we ask according to His will, He delights in giving us what we request.
Pray in Jesus’ Name
John 14:13 says “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” When we pray in Jesus’ name, we pray according to His character, authority and will. This aligns our prayers with God’s purposes.
Pray for Our Enemies
Jesus said in Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” We are called to pray even for those who mistreat us. This demonstrates love and forgiveness.
Pray with Other Believers
In Matthew 18:19-20, Jesus says “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” There is power when believers come together in prayer.
Pray with Persistence
Luke 18:1 says “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” We should persistently pray about matters without giving up. God may not give us what we ask for right away, but we should not grow weary.
Pray About Anxiety
Philippians 4:6 says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Rather than being worried or afraid, we should take our concerns to God in prayer.
Pray for Wisdom
James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” We can pray and ask God for the wisdom we need to make decisions and navigate difficulties.
Pray According to God’s Will
1 John 5:14 says “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” We should pray for outcomes that align with God’s will, because He will grant requests that line up with His divine purposes.
Pray with a Forgiving Spirit
Mark 11:25 says “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” God expects us to forgive others when we seek forgiveness for ourselves in prayer.
Pray with Faith
James 5:15 says “And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” We should pray with confidence, believing that God can do the impossible. Prayer that is offered in faith is powerful and effective.
Pray with a Humble Spirit
Luke 18:9-14 tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector praying in the temple. The tax collector prayed with humility and was justified rather than the Pharisee. We should approach God with humility.
Pray Simply
Matthew 6:7-8 says “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” We don’t need to use complex words or repetitive phrases. God knows our needs.
Pray Fervently
James 5:16 says “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Fervent prayers offered by righteous believers have great effect.
Pray About Everything
Philippians 4:6 says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” There is no issue too small or situation too big to bring to God in prayer. Pray about everything.
Pray Without Doubting
James 1:6 says “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” We should pray with unwavering faith, not doubting God’s ability to respond.
Pray to Be Seen Only by God
Matthew 6:5-6 says “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Pray privately rather than to impress others.
Pray the Lord’s Prayer
Jesus provided the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 as an example for how to pray. It includes worship of God, requests for both physical and spiritual needs, forgiveness for sins, and deliverance from temptation and evil.
Pray Before Making Decisions
Many examples in Scripture show believers praying before significant events or decisions. We should seek God’s guidance through prayer before charting our course. (See Acts 1:24, 6:6, 13:2-3, 14:23)
Pray for Laborers
In Matthew 9:38, Jesus said “Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” We should pray for more workers to advance God’s harvest around the world.
Pray for Persecutors
Following Jesus’ example in Luke 23:34, Stephen prayed in Acts 7:59-60, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” We should pray for those who persecute and mistreat Christians.
Pray for the Sick
James 5:14 says “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” We should pray for the sick, asking God for healing.
Pray for Government Leaders
We are instructed in 1 Timothy 2:1-2 to pray “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life.” Praying for our governing leaders is important.
Pray in the Spirit
Ephesians 6:18 says to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” This refers to praying under the Spirit’s guidance and power, not our own.
Pray Without Ceasing
1 Thessalonians 5:17 instructs us to “pray without ceasing.” We should cultivate a continual prayerful attitude and consciousness of God’s presence. Prayer should be part of everyday life.
Pray for Boldness in Witnessing
The early church prayed in Acts 4:29, “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness.” We should pray for boldness in proclaiming the gospel.
Pray for Each Other
James 5:16 instructs believers to “confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” We should regularly pray for fellow Christians.
Pray for Opportunities to Share the Gospel
Paul asked the Colossians to be “praying at the same time for us, that God may open up to us a door for the word” (Colossians 4:3). We should pray for chances to share Christ.
Pray for Your Enemies
Jesus commanded His followers in Matthew 5:44 to “pray for those who persecute you.” We are to pray even for those who mistreat us.
Pray to Avoid Temptation
Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 26:41 to “watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Prayer helps avoid temptation and builds spiritual strength.
Pray Morning, Noon and Night
Psalm 55:17 says, “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.” Pray consistently throughout the day.
Pray for Other Believers
Paul frequently asked for prayer in areas like evangelism, ministry, boldness, and to be delivered from enemies (Romans 15:30-32, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2, Colossians 4:3-4, Ephesians 6:19-20). We should pray for fellow Christians and Christian workers.
Pray with Thanksgiving
The apostle Paul instructs us in Philippians 4:6 to pray “with thanksgiving.” An attitude of gratitude should always characterize our prayers.
Pray for Open Doors
Paul requests prayer in Colossians 4:3 to “pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word.” We should pray for open doors to proclaim the gospel message.
Pray for Spiritual Wisdom
Paul prayed for the Ephesians that God may give them “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation” to know Christ better (Ephesians 1:17). We should pray for deeper spiritual wisdom.
Pray Expectantly
James 1:5 encourages us to pray expectantly, saying “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all.” We can confidently expect God to hear and respond to prayer.
Pray for the Growth of God’s Kingdom
Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:10 “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We should pray for God’s purposes to advance everywhere.
As this sample of verses shows, prayer is central in the life of faith. God calls us to pray continually, to bring all our needs and desires to Him, to intercede for others, to align ourselves with His purposes, and to pray with faith and humility. The Bible gives us much instruction and encouragement when it comes to prayer.