27 Bible Verses About Prayer

Prayer is the heart and soul of a Christian’s relationship with God. Adoration, thanksgiving, petitions, and intercessions are all prayerful forms of fellowship with God through Jesus Christ. This collection of Bible verses about prayer is designed to help believers connect with God through a vibrant and active prayer life. 

What Does the Bible Say About Prayer?

The Bible portrays prayer as the believer's meeting place or point of connection with God. Through prayer, Christians draw near to the Lord and learn more about his will for their lives. Prayer is not merely a spiritual discipline but a way of life for believers. Biblical prayer is meant to be uncomplicated and sincere, revealing the believer’s dependence on God and trust in his goodness.

The Bible instructs believers to ask, seek, and knock on God’s door in prayer. “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened,” says Matthew 7:8 (NIV). Scripture also shows that prayer is directed upwards, with believers lifting their hearts, souls, and voices to God.

The Bible teaches us how, when, and where to pray. A key purpose of prayer is to seek God’s will so that it might be done on earth and thus bring glory and honor to the Lord’s name. God promises to hear and respond to prayer when his people pray in the name of Jesus and according to his will.

The Bible Emphasizes the Importance of Prayer

Prayer was at the center of life and community in the early church. New Testament believers prayed whenever they met together. If we are to stay in close communion with the Lord, we must cultivate prayer as a way of life.

Acts 1:14
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. (NIV)

Acts 2:42
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. (NLT)

Acts 12:5
But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him. (NLT)

Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (ESV)

Colossians 1:9–10
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. (NIV)

Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (ESV)

1 Timothy 2:1
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. (NLT)

1 Peter 4:7
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. (NIV)

James 4:2
You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. (NIV)

Jesus Is the Believer’s Example in Prayer

Jesus Christ is our ultimate prayer role model. He taught his disciples and all future believers how to pray by showing them throughout his life. The entire chapter of John 17 is a prayer of Jesus.

Matthew 5:44
But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! (NLT)

Matthew 6:9–13
Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. (NLT)

Mark 14:36
“Abba, Father,” he [Jesus] said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (NIV)

Matthew 6:5–6
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (NLT)

Matthew 6:7-8
“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! (NLT)

Matthew 21:22
“You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” (NLT)

Luke 18:1
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. (ESV)

Prayer Reflects a Desire to Draw Near to God

Prayerfulness is an attitude that desires and cultivates constant fellowship between God and the believer.

1 Chronicles 16:11
Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! (ESV)

Psalm 42:1–2
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? (NIV)

Psalm 55:17
Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the LORD hears my voice. (NLT)

Psalm 105:4
Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him. (NLT)

Psalm 145:18
The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. (NLT)

Ephesians 6:18
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. (NLT)

The Power of Prayer

Prayer is powerful because God is all-powerful. He hears the prayers of his people and answers.

1 John 5:14–15
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (ESV)

2 Chronicles 7:14
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. (NLT)

James 5:13
Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. (NLT)

Mark 11:24
I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. (NLT)