Prayers of the Bible

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.

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.

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.

Even while being crucified, Jesus prayed for His executioners, demonstrating perfect love for enemies and the forgiving heart that believers are called to emulate.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.