Prayer in the Bible

Genesis 4 · 18Calling on the Name of the Lord

Prayer begins early in the Bible: in the days of Seth “began men to call upon the name of the LORD” (Genesis 4:26). Abraham built altars and called on the Lord wherever he went, and when God told him of the judgment coming on Sodom, he pleaded for the city, asking, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25). God listened to His friend.

Exodus 32 · 1 Samuel 1Moses and Hannah

When Israel worshipped the golden calf, Moses stood between the people and God’s judgment and prayed for them, and “the LORD repented of the evil which He thought to do unto His people” (Exodus 32:14). Years later a childless woman named Hannah prayed in the house of the Lord in deep sorrow. God gave her a son, Samuel, and she said, “For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of Him” (1 Samuel 1:27).

PsalmsThe Prayer Book of the Bible

The Psalms are prayers set to music: cries for help, songs of praise, confessions of sin and thanksgiving. David prayed morning, evening and noon (Psalm 55:17), and wrote, “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). The Psalms teach us that we can bring every feeling honestly to God.

1 Kings · Daniel · NehemiahKings, Prophets and Exiles

Solomon dedicated the temple with a great prayer (1 Kings 8). Elijah prayed and fire fell from heaven on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:36–38); James says he “prayed earnestly that it might not rain” and it did not (James 5:17). Daniel kept praying three times a day even when it meant the lions’ den (Daniel 6:10). Nehemiah wept, fasted and prayed for ruined Jerusalem, then went to rebuild its walls (Nehemiah 1).

Matthew 6 · Luke 11Lord, Teach Us to Pray

Jesus’ disciples watched Him pray and asked, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). He warned against praying to be seen and against “vain repetitions,” and gave them a pattern: “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name” (Matthew 6:9). The Lord’s Prayer puts God’s name, kingdom and will first, then our daily needs, forgiveness and protection.

Luke 11 · 18Ask, Seek, Knock

Jesus taught persistence in prayer. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Luke 11:9). He told of a widow who kept coming to an unjust judge until he helped her, to show “that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). And He told of a proud Pharisee and a humble tax collector who prayed, “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13); the humble man went home justified.

John 17 · Luke 22How Jesus Prayed

Jesus prayed often, early in the morning and through the night. On the night before the cross He prayed for Himself, for His disciples, and for all who would believe in Him (John 17). In Gethsemane He prayed in agony, “Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). On the cross He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Now He “ever liveth to make intercession” for His people (Hebrews 7:25).

ActsA Praying Church

The first believers “continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). When they were threatened, they prayed for boldness, and “the place was shaken where they were assembled together” (Acts 4:31). When Peter was in prison, “prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him” (Acts 12:5), and God sent an angel to set him free.

The LettersPray Without Ceasing

The apostles call every believer to a life of prayer. “Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:17–18). Pray for all people, including those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1–2). Confess sins and pray for one another (James 5:16). Cast all your care on God, “for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). And the Bible ends with a prayer: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).