Prayers of the Bible

Sacred Conversations with the Almighty

Prayers of Jesus

The Lord's Prayer

The Model Prayer

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, He gave them this pattern prayer—addressing God as Father, hallowing His name, seeking His kingdom and will, requesting daily provision, forgiveness, and protection from evil.
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Jesus' High Priestly Prayer

That They May Be One

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed for Himself, His disciples, and all future believers—asking for their protection, sanctification, and unity, that the world might believe.
These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee... I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine... Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

The Prayer in Gethsemane

Not My Will, But Thine Be Done

In the garden of Gethsemane, facing imminent crucifixion, Jesus prayed in agony—sweating drops of blood—yet submitted perfectly to the Father's will, providing the supreme example of surrendered prayer.
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt... He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Jesus' Prayer on the Cross

Father, Forgive Them

Even while being crucified, Jesus prayed for His executioners, demonstrating perfect love for enemies and the forgiving heart that believers are called to emulate.
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Old Testament Prayers

Abraham's Prayer for Sodom

Shall Not the Judge of All the Earth Do Right?

Abraham interceded boldly for Sodom, progressively asking if God would spare the city for fifty, forty-five, forty, thirty, twenty, and finally ten righteous people—demonstrating persistent, believing intercession.
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked... And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.

Moses' Prayer After the Golden Calf

Blot Me Out of Thy Book

After Israel's idolatry with the golden calf, Moses interceded so passionately that he offered to have his own name blotted from God's book if it would secure their forgiveness.
And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me... And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

Hannah's Prayer

Pouring Out the Soul

Hannah, childless and deeply distressed, poured out her soul before the Lord at Shiloh, vowing to dedicate any son to God's service. God answered, and Samuel was born.
And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom

Give Thy Servant an Understanding Heart

When God offered Solomon anything he desired, the young king asked not for riches, honor, or long life, but for wisdom to govern God's people. Pleased, God granted wisdom and added the other blessings besides.
In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee... Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

Solomon's Temple Dedication Prayer

Hear Thou in Heaven

At the temple's dedication, Solomon prayed an extensive prayer covering various situations—sin, defeat, drought, famine, plague—asking that whenever Israel prayed toward this house, God would hear from heaven and forgive.
And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart... Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.

Elijah on Mount Carmel

Hear Me, O LORD, Hear Me

After the prophets of Baal failed to call down fire, Elijah prayed a brief but powerful prayer, and the fire of the LORD fell, consuming the sacrifice and convincing Israel that the LORD is God.
And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

Hezekiah's Prayer Against Sennacherib

Save Us From His Hand

When the Assyrian king Sennacherib threatened Jerusalem, Hezekiah spread the threatening letter before the LORD and prayed for deliverance. That night, an angel struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers.
And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth... Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only.

Jabez's Prayer

Enlarge My Coast

Jabez, whose name meant 'pain,' prayed for God's blessing, enlarged territory, guidance, and protection from evil. God granted his request—a model of bold, believing prayer.
And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

Nehemiah's Prayer

Remember Me, O My God

Upon hearing of Jerusalem's broken walls, Nehemiah fasted and prayed—confessing Israel's sins, reminding God of His promises, and asking for favor with the Persian king to rebuild the city.
And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant... O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant.

Daniel's Prayer of Confession

We Have Sinned

Understanding from Jeremiah's prophecy that the exile would last seventy years, Daniel prayed—confessing Israel's sin, acknowledging God's righteousness, and pleading for Jerusalem's restoration.
And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled... O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God.

Jonah's Prayer from the Fish

Out of the Belly of Hell

Swallowed by a great fish, Jonah prayed from the depths—acknowledging God's discipline, remembering His temple, and vowing to pay his vows. God commanded the fish to release him.
Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice... When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple... But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.

New Testament Prayers

The Pharisee and the Publican

God Be Merciful to Me a Sinner

Jesus contrasted two prayers—the Pharisee's self-righteous recitation and the tax collector's humble plea for mercy. The latter went home justified, teaching that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.

The Church's Prayer for Boldness

Grant Unto Thy Servants Boldness

After Peter and John were threatened by the authorities, the early church gathered to pray—not for safety, but for boldness to continue speaking God's word with signs and wonders.
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is... And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Stephen's Dying Prayer

Lord, Lay Not This Sin to Their Charge

As Stephen was being stoned, he prayed two prayers—first committing his spirit to Jesus, then asking forgiveness for his murderers, echoing Christ's words on the cross.
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians

Strengthened with Might by His Spirit

Paul prayed that believers would be strengthened in their inner being, rooted in love, able to comprehend Christ's immeasurable love, and filled with all the fullness of God.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Paul's Prayer for the Colossians

Filled with the Knowledge of His Will

Paul prayed that the Colossians would be filled with spiritual wisdom and understanding, walking worthy of the Lord, fruitful in every good work, and strengthened with all might.
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.

Paul's Prayer for the Philippians

Abounding Love and Discernment

Paul prayed that the Philippians' love would abound more and more in knowledge and discernment, enabling them to approve excellent things and be filled with the fruits of righteousness through Jesus Christ.
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

The Thief on the Cross

Remember Me

The dying thief's prayer is perhaps the simplest yet most powerful prayer of salvation in Scripture—a desperate plea for mercy from a man with nothing to offer but his faith in Christ's kingship.
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

The Disciples' Prayer for Guidance

Choosing Matthias

After Judas's death, the apostles prayed for divine guidance in selecting his replacement, acknowledging that only God who knows all hearts could reveal His chosen one.
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Psalms of Prayer

Psalm 51

David's Prayer of Repentance

After his sin with Bathsheba, David poured out this deeply penitent prayer—confessing his transgression, pleading for cleansing, and asking for a restored relationship with God.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Psalm 23

The Shepherd Psalm

David's beloved psalm expresses complete trust in the LORD as Shepherd—providing, guiding, protecting, and comforting through every circumstance of life, even death's shadow.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 139

God's Omniscience and Omnipresence

David marvels at God's complete knowledge of him—every thought, word, and way—and His inescapable presence everywhere. He concludes by inviting God to search and lead him.
O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 91

The Psalm of Protection

This psalm declares God's protection for those who dwell in His presence—promising deliverance from danger, plague, and evil, with angels guarding their way.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Psalm 63

Thirsting for God

David's psalm from the wilderness of Judah expresses desperate longing for God's presence—a soul thirsting in dry and weary land, finding satisfaction only in communion with the Lord.
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

Psalm 27

The LORD Is My Light

David's psalm combines confident trust in God's protection with heartfelt petition to seek God's face and dwell in His house forever—expressing both courage and longing.
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalm 86

A Prayer of David

This prayer psalm weaves together petition, praise, and profession of faith—David acknowledging his need, extolling God's character, and asking for mercy, strength, and a sign of God's favor.
Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

Psalm 143

A Cry for Guidance

David pleads for God's faithfulness and righteousness in his distress, asking for deliverance from enemies and guidance in the way he should walk—acknowledging complete dependence on divine direction.
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.