Prayer is vital in our lives as Christians to grow in communion with God and trust in Him for all things. Throughout Christian history, there have been many brilliant quotes about the power and importance of prayer to resist temptation and purify our hearts and minds. May these prayer quotes provide insight into why we should be constant in prayer.
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be inspired and encouraged to "pray without ceasing" with this collection of profound quotes about prayer from well-known Christians, early Church Fathers, and Holy Scripture.
10 Contemporary Prayer Quotes
"The reality is, my prayers don't change God. But, I am convinced prayer changes me. Praying boldly boots me out of that stale place of religious habit into authentic connection with God Himself." - Lysa TerKeurst
"Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays." - Soren Kierkegaard
"There are parts of our calling, works of the Holy Spirit, and defeats of the darkness that will come no other way than through furious, fervent, faith-filled, unceasing prayer." - Beth Moore
"The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'" - Billy Graham
"I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right; but it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation may be on the Lord's side." - Abraham Lincoln
"Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?" - Corrie ten Boom
"If your day is hemmed in with prayer, it is less likely to come unraveled." - Cynthia Lewis
"To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing." - Martin Luther
"True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that - it is spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth." - Charles Spurgeon
"If you believe in prayer at all, expect God to hear you. If you do not expect, you will not have. God will not hear you unless you believe He will hear you; but if you believe He will, He will be as good as your faith." - Charles Spurgeon
15 Early Christian Quotes about Prayer
"Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness." - St John of Chrysostom
"A servant of the Lord is he who in body stands before men, but in mind knocks at heaven with prayer." - St John Climacus
"Our hearts were made for you, Oh Lord, and they are restless until they rest in you." - St Augustine
"Prayer preserves temperance, suppresses anger, restrains pride and envy, draws down the Holy Spirit into the soul and raises man to heaven." - St Ephraim the Syrian
"Pray without ceasing on behalf of everyone. For in them there is hope of repentance so that they may attain to God. Permit them, then, to be instructed by your works, if in no other way. Be meek in response to their wrath, humble in opposition to their boasting; to their blasphemies return your prayers; in contrast to their error be steadfast in the faith; and for their cruelty display your gentleness." - Ignatius, c. A.D. 110 (Letter to the Ephesians 10)
"The only hope of salvation from the delusions and the heresies, the innovations and the traps of wicked people and of the devil is prayer, repentance, and humility" - Elder Joseph the Hesychast
"Prayer is grace. God gives it when there exists zeal and humility… Let Christ not be missing from your heart" - Elder Amphilochios of Patmos
"Therefore, forsaking the vanity of many, and their false doctrines, let us return to the word which has been handed down to us from the beginning, watching in prayer, persevering in fasting, beseeching in our supplications the all-seeing God not to lead us into temptation." - Polycarp, A.D. 110-150
"When you pray, try to let the prayer reach your heart; in other words, it is necessary that your heart should feel what you are talking about in your prayer, that it should wish for the blessing for which you are asking. Observe, during prayer, whether your heart is in accord with that which you are saying." - St John of Kronstadt
"Those who have truly decided to serve the Lord God should practice the remembrance of God and uninterrupted prayer to Jesus Christ, mentally saying: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” - St. Seraphim of Sarov
"Let us pray, therefore, and implore of His mercy, that we may live blameless in love, free from all human partialities for one above another." - Clement of Rome
"Pray also for me, for I need your love along with the mercy of God so that I may be worthy of the duty for which I am destined and so that I will not be found reprobate." -Ignatius (Letter to the Trallians 12)
"You shall not go to prayer with an evil conscience." Barnabas, Letter of Barnabas ch. 19
"Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings, for those in power, for princes, for those that persecute and hate you, and for the enemies of the cross, so that your fruit may be apparent to everyone and that you may be perfect in Him." - Polycarp (Letter to the Philippians 12)
"We pray, too, for the emperors, for their ministers, and for all in authority, for the welfare of the world, for the prevalence of peace, for the delay of the final consummation" Tertullian (Apology 39)
25 Prayer Quotes from Scripture
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. - Matthew 6:9-13
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
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. - 2 Chronicles 7:14
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
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. - Mark 11:24
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. - John 15:7
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. - Matthew 26:41
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. - Psalm 34:17
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. - Luke 6:27-28
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. - 1 John 5:14-15
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." - 1 John 5:14
"Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." - 1 Chronicles 16:11
"Hear the supplications of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive." - 2 Chronicles 6:21
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people." Ephesians 1:18
"And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." - 1 John 5:15
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." - Ephesians 6:18
"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." Jeremiah 29:12
"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." John 17:15
"Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise." James 5:13
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," Matthew 5:44
"The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him." Proverbs 15:8
"I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer." - Psalm 17:6
"He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea." Psalm 102:17
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12
Sources:
31 Prayer Quotes | Crosswalk.com
The Holy Fathers on Prayer | Pravmir.com
The Holy Bible
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This article is part of our prayer resources meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
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Prayers for Strength
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Prayers for Protection
The Lord's Prayer: Our Father
