Theme · theological

Prayer

Abraham intercedes for Sodom, Moses argues with God on Sinai, Hannah pours out her soul at Shiloh — the Old Testament is rich with prayer in every register. The Psalms serve as Israel's prayer book, giving voice to praise, lament, confession, and thanksgiving. Jesus teaches his disciples to pray with intimacy ('Our Father'), persistence (the midnight friend), and trust (ask, seek, knock). Paul instructs believers to pray without ceasing, and Revelation depicts the prayers of the saints rising like incense before God's throne.

Passages expressing this theme

1Kgs 8:28 — Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:
1Sam 1:10 — And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
1Thess 5:17 — Pray without ceasing.
2Chr 7:14 — If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal
Dan 6:10 — Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave
Eph 6:18 — Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Exod 32:11 — And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?
Gen 18:23 — And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
Gen 32:26 — And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
Heb 4:16 — Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Jas 5:16 — Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Jer 29:12 — Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
Matt 6:6 — But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Matt 6:9 — After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Matt 7:7 — Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Matt 18:20 — For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Matt 26:41 — Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Phil 4:6 — Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Ps 5:3 — My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
Ps 17:6 — I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
Ps 34:17 — The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
Ps 55:17 — Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
Ps 66:18 — If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
Ps 145:18 — The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
Rom 8:26 — Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.