27 Bible verses about prayer (and stories)
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?
Table of Contents ▲
Why seek God in prayer?
God asks us to seek him as part of our daily life. Whether we're using a daily devotional to center ourselves each morning or engaging in a life of prayer throughout the day, we can seek out and talk to God at any time.
Whether we're praying in a solitary place — or have the opportunity to engage in public prayer — we can confidently draw near to our Creator and Heavenly Father.
Steadfast love — We can directly seek out the source of love, for "God is love." (1 John 4:8) How amazing it is that we can have a dwelling place in God's love?
God's answers — We can seek the will of God. One of the most amazing things about God's word is how he promises to answer. His answer may not always be the answer we want (sometimes his answer is "no" or "not now"), but we can trust that when we approach God, he is listening and actively engaging with our prayers.
Great power — Anyone who has prayed for a sick person to be healed, and they were, can attest to this! I don't always understand why God heals some but not others, but I can trust that the mighty hand of God is at work. Through believing in his son Jesus, we can be confident that we'll one day be reunited with God in heaven.
God's plan — We can seek out the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. We can be assured that God works in all things for good, and whatever we're going through in the moment, we can find comfort that, as children of God, he is working toward our good.
27 Bible verses about prayer
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
5 True stories of God answering prayers
Here at Faith Storytellers, we regularly share true stories about answered prayers. We hope you enjoy this collection by our volunteer storytellers!
1. God’s answered prayer: How God heard my prayer to find my lost friend
When Vanessa May lost contact with an old friend who lived far away, she began to worry that Milly was lost. But God found a way when Vanessa thought there was no way.
2. When God says 'no.' I doubted my daughter’s scheduled induction, but God knew better
Lynne Modranski’s story highlights God’s timing when she learned of her daughter’s pregnancy. Initially frustrated by distance and a doctor’s plan to induce labor early, Lynne prayed continually. Only in hindsight did she see God’s bigger plan.
3. After my dad died, I grew fearful he wasn’t OK. On Easter Sunday, God heard my prayer.
Evan Wechman was diagnosed with severe anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), causing him to battle fear and worry, including what happened to his dad after he passed away from COVID-19. After giving his life to Jesus, Evan began praying daily — and asked for a sign to know with certainty that his dad was OK. On Easter Sunday, God answered.
4. How God heard my prayers while giving birth without my family during the COVID-19 pandemic
A heartwarming story of how God will often work through people. TaLeiza Calloway-Appleton always feared giving birth, and that fear grew during the COVID-19 Pandemic when hospital protocols required her to be alone and without her family. TaLeiza had learned that when you pray, God listens, and she leaned into her prayers before, during, and after she gave birth.
5. My miracle story: Feeding 5,000 during COVID-19 when the world shut down
When COVID-19 shut down dine-in restaurants, Al Laudencia of Big Al's BBQ & Catering faced missing payroll and wasting smoked meat. Inspired by Jesus feeding 5,000 (Mark 6:37-44), he gave away free meals via Facebook, sparking volunteers, donations, and media coverage. He believes this experience is a miracle story of faith and provision.
3 Journaling prompts about prayer
These journaling prompts were inspired by the Biblical passages about prayer above. As you reflect on your prayer life, consider how you might continue to seek our God through prayer.
1. Reading through the Bible verses above, does one stand out? How does it speak to me in what I'm going through?
2. How has prayer influenced my Christian life? Have I seen the fruits of my prayers, or perhaps, God's divine wisdom in not answering a prayer?
3. Reflect on the Lord's prayer. The "Our Father" is Jesus' teaching on how to pray. Read the prayer slowly. Which line or lines of the prayer speak to you? What does it mean to you, personally?
➡️ Seeking more journal prompts? Join our newsletter, as we share new prompts in each edition!.
15 Great books on prayer to deepen your practice
Prayer is a powerful tool for connecting with God and deepening your relationship with him.
If you want to better understand prayer and why the first thing many Christians do each day is pray, then these books can help! I've curated the 15 best books on prayer for Christians for 2026.
This collection includes enduring classics that have guided believers for decades alongside insightful contemporary works that speak directly to today's challenges. Whether you're just starting your prayer journey or longing for renewed passion, these picks will inspire, equip, and help you draw closer to Jesus.
➡️ Discover the best books on prayer
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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.