What does the Bible say about prayer?
Prayer in the Bible is conversation, not performance. Jesus warns against showy public prayer and gives a model — the Lord's Prayer — that is short, honest, and centered on God. Paul tells the church to 'pray without ceasing.' James promises the prayer of a righteous person 'is powerfully effective.' Across scripture, prayer is treated as the ordinary lifeline between a person and their God.
Pray without ceasing.
Bible verses about prayer
"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
Read in context →
"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward."
Read in context →
"Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working."
Read in context →
"In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus."
Read in context →
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
Read in context →
"And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered;"
Read in context →
"And this is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us:"
Read in context →
Frequently asked
What is the Lord's Prayer?
It's the model prayer Jesus gave in Matthew 6:9-13 (and Luke 11) — opening with God's name and kingdom, then asking for daily provision, forgiveness, and protection from evil.
Does God answer every prayer?
1 John 5:14 says God hears any prayer 'according to his will.' Scripture also models prayer as relationship — sometimes God's answer is no, sometimes wait, sometimes yes.
Keep reading