What the Bible says
What does the Bible say about prayer?
Prayer is “an offering up of our desires to God, for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins and thankful acknowledgment of His mercies” (Baptist Catechism Q109). Jesus gave the Lord’s Prayer as a pattern (Matthew 6:9-13), and because he is our great high priest, believers may draw near to the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16), praying without ceasing and giving thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).
Key Bible verses about prayer
- Matthew 6:9-13
Pray like this: “‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’
- Philippians 4:6
In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.
- Hebrews 4:16
Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.
- James 5:16
Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.
- 1 John 5:14-15
This is the boldness which we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.
- Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.
- Matthew 7:7-8
“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
- Luke 18:1
He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray and not give up,
- John 14:13-14
Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.
- Psalm 145:18
The LORD is near to all those who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
- Psalm 62:8
Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Scripture: World English Bible (public domain). Short quotations in the introduction are from the ESV. Read each passage in its chapter for the full context.
From the Baptist Catechism
- Q109. What is Prayer?
Prayer is an offering up of our desires to God, for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins and thankful acknowledgment of His mercies.
- Q110. What rule has God given for our direction in prayer?
The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer, but the special rule of direction is that prayer, which Christ taught His disciples, commonly called the Lord’s Prayer.
- Q111. What does the preface of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?
The preface of the Lord’s Prayer, which is, “Our Father, which art in heaven,” teaches us to draw near to God, with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us, and that we should pray with and for others.
In the 1689 Baptist Confession
The Second London Baptist Confession of 1689 is our confessional standard. See what we believe.