What does the Bible say regarding Prayer?
Let's explore some common questions regarding prayer along with the Biblical references that answer them.
Did Jesus pray? Jesus frequently awoke early to pray. The Bible mentions this in Mark 1:35, “ Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”
What should we pray for? We should pray for our needs of survival, our satisfaction for life, our afflictions of sorrow, our concerns for others, and our fears for death and beyond – everything. The Bible mentions why we should pray in Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”
Does God hear our prayers? God is very willing to hear and answer our prayers. The Bible mentions this in Mathew 7:11, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
We must not abuse the power of prayer for immoral requests. The Bible mentions this in Matthew 6:7-8, “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” Furthermore in James 4:3, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”
In prayer, we must have faith and trust that God will hear and fulfill our prayers. The Bible mentions this in James 1:6-8, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
What if we don’t know how to pray or what to pray for? Fear not, the Holy Spirit will guide you. The Bible mentions this in Romans 8:26-27, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
Discover more Bible verses that mention prayer in the collection of scripture quotes below.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. - Philippians 4:6 ESV
f you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. - John 15:7 ESV
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. - Mark 11:24 ESV
pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 ESV
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. - Romans 8:26 ESV
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. “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.- Matthew 6:6-7 ESV
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. - Luke 11:9 ESV
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. - Jeremiah 33:3 ESV
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. - James 5:16 ESV
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” - Matthew 26:41 ESV
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