What Does the Bible Say About Pray?

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV / 153 helpful votes

Pray without ceasing,

Jeremiah 33:3 ESV / 143 helpful votes

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Philippians 4:6 ESV / 129 helpful votes

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

James 5:16 ESV / 94 helpful votes

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Ephesians 6:18 ESV / 82 helpful votes

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Mark 11:24 ESV / 59 helpful votes

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Matthew 6:9-13 ESV / 49 helpful votes

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day 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 evil.

1 Timothy 2:8 ESV / 48 helpful votes

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

James 5:13 ESV / 42 helpful votes

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

James 4:3 ESV / 40 helpful votes

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

1 John 3:22 ESV / 36 helpful votes

And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

James 1:5 ESV / 33 helpful votes

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 5:18 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

John 15:7 ESV / 28 helpful votes

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV / 27 helpful votes

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Matthew 7:7 ESV / 23 helpful votes

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Luke 18:1 ESV / 22 helpful votes

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV / 22 helpful votes

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Matthew 26:41 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

1 John 1:9 ESV / 20 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

James 5:20 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Matthew 18:18-20 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Matthew 6:7 ESV / 16 helpful votes

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Romans 8:26-27 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

John 16:24 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

James 5:13-18 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. ...

James 4:2 ESV / 12 helpful votes

You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Luke 11:5-13 ESV / 11 helpful votes

And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ...

Colossians 4:2 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Matthew 20:32 ESV / 10 helpful votes

And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Psalm 55:17 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.

Psalm 1:1-6 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ...

Matthew 6:5-6 ESV / 9 helpful votes

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Psalm 150:1-6 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! ...

1 John 5:14 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

1 Corinthians 14:15 ESV / 8 helpful votes

What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.

Acts 22:16 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

James 5:12 ESV / 7 helpful votes

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 7 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Romans 12:1-2 ESV / 6 helpful votes

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

John 14:13-15 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Luke 22:42 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Psalm 122:6 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you!

Ezra 6:10 ESV / 5 helpful votes

That they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons.

1 Samuel 7:5 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.”

1 John 5:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.

James 5:13-16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Philippians 1:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

Romans 8:26 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Matthew 25:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Matthew 9:6-8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

Psalm 139:1-24 ESV / 4 helpful votes

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. ...

Genesis 20:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Now then, return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”

Acts 2:1-47 ESV / 3 helpful votes

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ...

Matthew 25:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’

Daniel 3:1-30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. ...

56 Bible Verses about Pray

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV / 153 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 33:3 ESV / 143 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:6 ESV / 129 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 5:16 ESV / 94 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:18 ESV / 82 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 11:24 ESV / 59 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:9-13 ESV / 49 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 2:8 ESV / 48 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 5:13 ESV / 42 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:3 ESV / 40 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 3:22 ESV / 36 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:5 ESV / 33 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 5:18 ESV / 29 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:7 ESV / 28 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV / 27 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:7 ESV / 23 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 18:1 ESV / 22 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV / 22 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 26:41 ESV / 21 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 1:9 ESV / 20 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 5:20 ESV / 16 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:18-20 ESV / 16 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:7 ESV / 16 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:26-27 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 16:24 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 5:13-18 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:2 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 11:5-13 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 4:2 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 20:32 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 55:17 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 1:1-6 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:5-6 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 150:1-6 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 5:14 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 14:15 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 22:16 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 5:12 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:1-2 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:13-15 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 22:42 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 122:6 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ezra 6:10 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Samuel 7:5 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 5:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 5:13-16 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 1:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:26 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 25:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 9:6-8 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 139:1-24 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 20:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 2:1-47 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 25:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Daniel 3:1-30 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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