Bible verses about prayer
The model prayer in Scripture is shorter than most people remember, and the passages around it are more interested in persistence than in wording. These are set out with a sentence on each.
Pray like this: “‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. — Matthew 6:9 · WEB
A shut door, a short prayer, and six petitions that put God's name and kingdom before daily bread — with forgiveness singled out for comment.
“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. — Matthew 7:7 · WEB
Three verbs of persistence, an argument from bad fathers to a good one, and a single sentence that sums up the law.
He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray and not give up, — Luke 18:1 · WEB
A woman with no standing wears down a judge who cares for nobody — and the parable works by contrast, not comparison.
In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered. — Romans 8:26 · WEB
The third groan is the Spirit's own, prayer's weakness is met by intercession beneath words, and the searcher of hearts reads it perfectly.
‘Call to me, and I will answer you, and will show you great and difficult things, which you don’t know.’ — Jeremiah 33:3 · WEB
A second word in the same cell offers to show him things he does not know, and every sound the judgment silenced is named again and given back.
This is the boldness which we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. — 1 John 5:14 · WEB
The promise about prayer is repeated with the qualification the earlier one left unstated, and the qualification turns out to be a comfort.
Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need. — Hebrews 4:16 · WEB
Three verses turn the argument from exposure to access, and the qualification offered is that he knows how it feels.
Pray without ceasing. — 1 Thessalonians 5:17 · WEB
Three of the shortest commands in Scripture, and each is made unreasonable by a single word.
In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. — Philippians 4:6 · WEB
The alternative to worry is not calm but a transaction — and what is promised back is a garrison.
Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective. — James 5:16 · WEB
Three conditions are met with three responses, and the healing passage credits the prayer rather than the oil or the elders.
If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you. — John 15:7 · WEB
The last of the declarations, and it is about staying attached rather than about doing anything.
Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them. — Mark 11:24 · WEB
The tree is dead from the roots, the lesson is praying faith that forgives — and the authorities' demand for credentials is met with a question they dare not answer.
Read the comment on The Withered Fig Tree, and the Question of Authority
Yahweh is near to all those who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. — Psalm 145:18 · WEB
The last psalm attributed to David is an alphabet of praise, and its central claim is that the mercies extend to everything he made.
Read the comment on Yahweh Is Gracious and Full of Compassion
If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord wouldn’t have listened. — Psalm 66:18 · WEB
A congregation invites the world to look at its history, and then one man tells his own story to the same audience.
if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. — 2 Chronicles 7:14 · WEB
Fire answers the prayer in public, and the terms of the arrangement are given privately at night, with both outcomes stated.
Read the comment on Fire, Dedication, and the Answer by Night
What should I do? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. — 1 Corinthians 14:15 · WEB