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143 verses · KJV · every verse read aloud

Bible Verses About Prayer

What does the Bible say about prayer?

Early Christians taught that prayer should be constant, thankful, and offered for other people as well as oneself. Ignatius, Polycarp, Tertullian, Cyprian, and the Apostolic Constitutions all push prayer as a daily habit, not a rare event, and several link it to watchfulness, humility, and peace. The Lord’s Prayer and passages like Colossians 4:2, 1 Timothy 2:1, Ephesians 6:18, and 1 Thessalonians 5:17 were central guides for this practice. The evidence is broad and early, though some passages are about related topics like thanksgiving, liturgy, or prayer with fasting rather than prayer alone.

  1. Foundation Texts
  2. Supporting Passages

Bible verses about prayer: Foundation Texts

7 verses

Ephesians 6:18

KJV
King James Version

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Direct command to pray with perseverance and watchfulness.

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1 Timothy 2:1

KJV
King James Version

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

Direct Bible command to make prayers for all men.

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Acts 2:42

KJV
King James Version

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Early church devoted themselves to the prayers.

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Bible verses about prayer: Supporting Passages

136 verses

Luke 18:1

KJV
King James Version

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Parable teaching to always pray, but less direct than the stronger Bible cards.

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1 Kings 8:54

KJV
King James Version

And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.

Kneeling and spread hands as a prayer posture

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Hebrews 5:7

KJV
King James Version

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Jesus himself prays in Hebrews, useful background but not about the Lord's Prayer form.

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2 Chronicles 6:29

KJV
King James Version

Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house:

Prayer and supplication of any man or all the people

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2 Corinthians 1:11

KJV
King James Version

Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

Prayer that leads to thanks by many people.

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Luke 11:1

KJV
King James Version

And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

Luke 11:1 is relevant background for learning to pray.

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Matthew 6:5

KJV
King James Version

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Directly quotes Matthew 6:5, a related prayer rule.

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Psalms 100:4

KJV
King James Version

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Praise/thanksgiving passage related to prayer, but not directly about prayer practice.

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Hebrews 7:25

KJV
King James Version

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

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Matthew 6:7

KJV
King James Version

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Warning against vain repetitions in prayer

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Psalms 50:23

KJV
King James Version

Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

Thanksgiving as sacrifice; related but broader than prayer.

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Ecclesiastes 5:2

KJV
King James Version

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Matthew 6:9-13

KJV
King James Version

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Psalms 22:1

KJV
King James Version

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Psalms 22:2

KJV
King James Version

O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Habakkuk 1:2

KJV
King James Version

O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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1 Kings 3:7-14

KJV
King James Version

And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Acts 12:15

KJV
King James Version

And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Deuteronomy 11:29

KJV
King James Version

And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Deuteronomy 11:30

KJV
King James Version

Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Deuteronomy 27:11-13

KJV
King James Version

And Moses charged the people the same day, saying, These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin: And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Deuteronomy 33:11

KJV
King James Version

Bless, LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands; smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Joshua 8:33

KJV
King James Version

And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Joshua 8:34

KJV
King James Version

And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Judges 16:28

KJV
King James Version

And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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2 Samuel 16:10-12

KJV
King James Version

And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him. It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Nehemiah 4:4

KJV
King James Version

Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Nehemiah 4:5

KJV
King James Version

And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Nehemiah 5:13

KJV
King James Version

Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.

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Job 3:1-10

KJV
King James Version

After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day. And Job spake, and said, Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived. Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it. Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it. As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Job 27:7

KJV
King James Version

Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous.

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Psalms 5:10

KJV
King James Version

Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Psalms 10:2

KJV
King James Version

The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Psalms 25:3

KJV
King James Version

Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

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Psalms 28:4

KJV
King James Version

Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Psalms 31:17

KJV
King James Version

Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.

Editorially approved supporting passage for this topical Bible page.

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Psalms 31:18

KJV
King James Version

Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

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Psalms 35:4

KJV
King James Version

Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.

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Psalms 35:8

KJV
King James Version

Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.

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Psalms 35:26

KJV
King James Version

Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.

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Psalms 40:14

KJV
King James Version

Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

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Psalms 55:15

KJV
King James Version

Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

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Psalms 58:7

KJV
King James Version

Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.

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Psalms 59:5

KJV
King James Version

Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.

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Psalms 59:11

KJV
King James Version

Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

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Psalms 68:2

KJV
King James Version

As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

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Matthew 7:7

KJV
King James Version

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

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Matthew 4:10

KJV
King James Version

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

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Psalms 10:17

KJV
King James Version

LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

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Psalms 99:6

KJV
King James Version

Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.

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Psalms 5:3

KJV
King James Version

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

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Psalms 62:8

KJV
King James Version

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

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1 Samuel 1:15

KJV
King James Version

And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.

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Genesis 12:8

KJV
King James Version

And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.

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Acts 22:16

KJV
King James Version

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

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Psalms 73:28

KJV
King James Version

But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

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Hebrews 10:22

KJV
King James Version

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

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Exodus 32:11

KJV
King James Version

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?

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Job 8:5

KJV
King James Version

If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;

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Jeremiah 36:7

KJV
King James Version

It may be they will present their supplication before the LORD, and will return every one from his evil way: for great is the anger and the fury that the LORD hath pronounced against this people.

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John 14:13

KJV
King James Version

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

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John 15:16

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King James Version

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

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John 16:23

KJV
King James Version

And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

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John 16:24

KJV
King James Version

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

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2 Chronicles 30:27

KJV
King James Version

Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.

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Revelation 5:8

KJV
King James Version

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

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Zechariah 12:10

KJV
King James Version

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

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Romans 8:15

KJV
King James Version

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

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Galatians 4:6

KJV
King James Version

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

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Romans 8:26

KJV
King James Version

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.

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Acts 9:11

KJV
King James Version

And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

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James 5:16

KJV
King James Version

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.

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Jude 1:20

KJV
King James Version

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

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James 1:6

KJV
King James Version

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

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Psalms 42:4

KJV
King James Version

When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

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John 4:22-24

KJV
King James Version

Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

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1 Corinthians 14:15

KJV
King James Version

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

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1 John 5:14

KJV
King James Version

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

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Luke 22:42

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King James Version

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

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Psalms 17:1

KJV
King James Version

Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

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Short Bible verses about prayer

Easy to memorize, to write in a card, or to send to a friend.

8 verses

  • “Pray without ceasing.”

    1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV · 3 words

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  • “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”

    Romans 12:12 KJV · 10 words

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  • “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;”

    Colossians 4:2 KJV · 10 words

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  • “The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.”

    Psalms 6:9 KJV · 12 words

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  • “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:”

    Psalms 50:14 KJV · 12 words

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  • “O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.”

    Psalms 65:2 KJV · 11 words

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  • “Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.”

    Psalms 25:1 KJV · 10 words

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  • “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

    Matthew 6:12 KJV · 10 words

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What the first Christians said about prayer

Exact words from our library of the early church writers. Each one opens at the place it was written.

“Let us pray for the peace and good order of the world, and of the holy churches, so that the God of the whole world may give us His everlasting peace, a peace that cannot be taken away from us. Let us pray that He may keep us steadily pursuing the virtue that is according to godliness. Let us pray for the Holy Catholi…”

Apostolic ConstitutionsApostolic Constitutions
Read and listen to Apostolic Constitutions

“For what has God, who requires it, ever denied to prayer that comes from spirit and truth? We read, and hear, and believe, what mighty proofs of its power there are. In old times, prayer did indeed free people from fires, Daniel 3, and from beasts, Daniel 6, and from famine. And yet at that time it had not received it…”

TertullianOn Prayer
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“Before all things, the Teacher of peace and the Master of unity did not want prayer to be made separately and individually, as if each person should pray only for himself. For we do not say, "My Father, who art in heaven," or, "Give me today my daily bread." Nor does each person ask that only his own debt should be fo…”

CyprianTreatises
Read and listen to Cyprian

“And pray without ceasing on behalf of other people. For there is hope of repentance in them that they may attain to God. See, then, that they are instructed by your works, if in no other way. Be meek in response to their wrath, humble in opposition to their boasting; return your prayers for their blasphemies; be stead…”

IgnatiusThe Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians (Short Version)
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“And pray without ceasing on behalf of others; for there is hope of their repentance, that they may attain to God. For “can’t the one who falls rise again, and the one who goes astray return?” Permit them, then, to be instructed by you. Be therefore the ministers of God and the mouth of Christ. For thus says the Lord,…”

IgnatiusThe Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians (Long Version)
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“For every prayer, and supplication, and intercession, and thanksgiving, is to be sent up to the Supreme God through the High Priest, who is above all the angels, the living Word and God.”

OrigenAgainst Celsus
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More on what the early Christians believed about prayer →

Questions to think about

  1. Which passage should be treated as the clearest starting point for Prayer?
  2. Which passages define the doctrine, and which passages show practice or application?
  3. What related lesson, course, or video would help a reader continue studying after the verse list?
  4. What early Christian evidence should be linked before this page becomes indexable?