27 Bible verses about prayer
We’ve curated 27 Bible verses about prayer, along with 5 true stories of answered prayer, some of the best Christian books on prayer, and more!
Prayer is spending time with God in conversation, whether you're asking for guidance or help, praising him, or offering thanks. These 27 Bible verses about prayer show us God’s desire to connect with us.
God wants us to pray, and in many of the stories about prayer that we feature on Faith Storytellers, those who do receive the peace of God. They share their heart with the Heavenly Father, and God, as a good father, gives his children (us!) good gifts in return.
The Word of God reveals that we can approach, confidently, the Lord of Heaven, the God of Hope, our savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. How amazing is that?
➡️ Read our testimonies collection: Stories of how God answered my prayer.
➡️ Discover the best 15 books on prayer
Table of Contents ▲
These 27 Bible verses about prayer will encourage you
The Holy Bible shares the importance of prayer, instructions on how to pray, and how to shift our hearts as we approach God in prayer. Whether we have a specific request, are seeking guidance or comfort during difficult times, or we sing songs of praise, God wants us to develop a rich prayer life.
The Scriptures also warn against using empty phrases when we pray. God doesn't want rote or empty prayers; he wants to hear from our heart — our prayers seeking help and support, our prayers of gratitude and praise.
All the verses are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted. Emphasis added is mine!
The Lord’s Prayer: “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”
— Matthew 6:9-13“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
— Philippians 4:6-7“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18“Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
— James 5:16“ Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
— Mark 11:24“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
— Jeremiah 29:12“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
— Matthew 6:6“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”
— 1 John 5:14-15“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
— John 15:7“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
— Ephesians 6:18“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
— Matthew 21:22“‘Call to me, and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’”
— Jeremiah 33:3“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
— Romans 8:26“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
— Colossians 4:2“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
— Hebrews 4:16“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
— Psalm 145:18“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
— 2 Chronicles 7:14“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” — James 1:5-6
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” — Matthew 7:7-8
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
— 1 Timothy 2:1-2"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
— 1 Peter 3:12"The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray."
— 1 Peter 4:7"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
— 1 John 1:9"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
— Romans 10:13"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
— James 1:17"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?"
— Psalm 42:1-2"Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness."
— Psalm 48:10
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Mackenzie Ryan Walters is the author of “Faith Storytellers: Unleash the Power of Your Story,” which shares Christian testimonies and stories, as well as curated lists about Christian books, gifts, and more. A national award-winning former journalist who’s covered a presidential campaign, been inside NASA, and reported on education and schools, Mackenzie now edits the Faith Storytellers website and is passionate about lifting up and sharing the story God is writing in the world.