Prayer is one of the most basic, but most neglected, characteristics of a believer. Perhaps because we are too busy; perhaps because we are too independent to admit our constant need for God; or perhaps because we don’t really know what to pray. Even the disciples struggled with knowing how to pray. They cried out, ”Lord, teach us to pray.” So let’s look at twenty-one different prayers in the Bible that will inspire the way we pray.
1. Exodus 17:8-16
Exodus 17:8-16 shows us a battle against the Amalekites that is fought as much by prayer as it is by soldiers. Moses goes to the top of the hill to intercede in prayer while the troops fight below. As long as Moses’ hands remain up in prayer, Israel continues to win the battle. But when his hands drop, Israel begins to lose the battle. We also see a great picture of Aaron and Hur supporting Moses’ arms, helping him to continue the long, weary battle in prayer.
2. Exodus 32:11-14
One of the greatest prayers of intercession is found in Exodus 32:11-14, where Moses intercedes for the people of Israel. God is angry and ready to destroy His people, but Moses pleads with God not to. Moses appeals to God’s character as a ”promise keeper” and His reputation before the pagan nations. In verse 14, the Scripture tells us that Moses’ prayer has caused God to ”change His mind” and not destroy His people.
3. Exodus 33:12-23
Moses cries out in Exodus 33:12-23 for God to teach him His ways, cause His presence to go with him, and to show him His glory. Moses knows that without God’s presence he cannot lead God’s people, nor does he want to.
4. Judges 6:36-40
God has called Gideon to be a ”victorious warrior.” Understandably, Gideon is confused and unsure of God’s calling. Therefore, in Judges 6:36-40, Gideon asks God to perform two very specific signs to confirm that calling. Here we see that God doesn’t respond in anger or rebuke, but answers each prayer. God meets Gideon where he’s at.
5. 1 Samuel 1:10-18
In this passage, we read Hannah’s prayer for a son. She is filled with hurt from being barren for so many years and cries out to God, making a vow to give the object of her prayer-a son-back to God if He answers. We see her leave quiet and confident of God’s answer.
6. 1 Kings 3:7-14
1 Kings 3:7-14tells us the story of Solomon’s prayer as he begins his reign as king. Solomon admits that he is young and inexperienced. He cries out for an ”obedient heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil.” God responds by giving him a wise and understanding heart, riches, and honor.
7. 1 Kings 18:24-39
In 1 Kings 18:24-39, we read of Elijah’s challenge and powerful victory with the prophets of Baal. In verses 36 and 37 specifically, we read his simple, but confident prayer. God honors his prayer and answers in might!
8. 1 Chronicles 4:10
The well-known prayer of Jabez is found in 1 Chronicles 4:10, ”If only You would bless me, extend my border, let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will not cause any pain.” The Scripture simply, but strongly, adds ”And God granted his request.”
9. Ezra 9:1-15
Similar to Daniel 9, isEzra 9:1-15. Here, Ezra cries out to God because of the unfaithfulness of the ”exiles.” Ezra is ”devastated” by the sins of his people; he is embarrassed and ashamed. Ezra, like Daniel, appeals to God’s grace, mercy, and purpose when asking for forgiveness. These all become lessons for us.
10. Psalm 51
This Psalm contains David’s confession of sin after committing adultery and then murdering to cover it up. In it, we find brokenness and an ongoing cry to be cleansed by God. We see David’s recognition that sin is primarily against God. We also hear David’s fear of God’s presence and the joy that comes with Spirit being removed. This is a great prayer for us or those we minister to, when we need guidance in the confession of personal sin.
11. Daniel 9:3-19
This passage contains one of the longest and greatest prayers of confession for a nation. Daniel, although himself a righteous and holy man, cries out to God and confesses the sin of his nation. He is broken and ashamed of the sins of his fellow countrymen. He pulls no punches, calling the nation’s sin what it was-rebellion and disloyalty to God. Again and again, he appeals to the character of God to forgive and to cleanse them.
12. Mark 14:32-36
In these verses, we find Jesus’ prayer in the garden. Here we see Jesus ”deeply distressed and horrified,” knowing that the cross is coming. We learn a lot from this last phrase in verse 36-”And He said, ”Abba, Father! All things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” We see His agony, His relationship, His plea and trust in God’s power, and His submission.
13. Luke 6:12-16
Luke 6:12-16 tells us of Jesus’ full night in prayer! Following that full night in prayer, He chooses the twelve disciples. This is only one of many times that Jesus sought the Father in prayer to know His direction and guidance. What a lesson for us!
14. Luke 18:13
Luke 18:13 is one of the shortest, but most powerful prayers of repentance in the Bible. Jesus compares a Pharisee and a much-hated tax collector. One prays in a self-righteous and prideful manner; the other prays in great humility and brokenness. The latter goes away forgiven and right before God. What a lesson for us!
15. Luke 22:31
In Luke 22:31, Jesus tells Peter that He has prayed for him. What a thought-that Jesus would pray for us! Here, Jesus prays that Peter’s faith will not fail and that when he turns back that he will in turn strengthen his brothers. That should be a tremendous encouragement to us.
16. Acts 12:5
In Acts 12:5 we read, ”So Peter was kept in prison, but prayer was being made earnestly to God for him by the church.” What a powerful statement! In the following verses (thru verse 16), we see how God miraculously delivers Peter and the believers are ”astounded.”
17. Ephesians 1:17-19
Here we find a powerful prayer of Paul’s, asking for a spirit of wisdom and revelation and for the believer’s heart to be enlightened. He continues by asking that the believer would know the hope of his calling and the glorious riches of his inheritance. Finally, he asks that we would know the greatness of Christ’s power and strength.
18. Ephesians 3:14-21
This is the second prayer of Paul’s that any believer would love to have prayed over him/her. It moves us past the typical prayer for physical needs to those of spiritual needs. Paul leads us to pray ”for the fullness of God,” to know the full scope of Christ’s love, to be strengthened in the ”inner man,” and so much more!
19. Philippians 1:9-11
The third prayer of Paul’s focuses on growth and remaining pure and blameless before Christ. Paul prays for knowledge and discernment to know ”what really matters” and to be ”filled with the fruit of Christ.” Again, he moves us past the physical realm to the spiritual realm.
20. Colossians 1:9-12
The fourth prayer of Paul’s is for knowledge, fruit, and strength. His goal is that his fellow believers would ”walk worthy of the Lord” and be ”pleasing to God.” What a model for us!
21. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
2 Corinthians 12:7-9 shares with us Paul’s prayer related to his ”thorn in the flesh.” We hear Paul cry out three times for deliverance from God, only to realize it will not happen-but that God will provide His grace. That famous phrase, ”My grace is sufficient for you…” is found here.
In these twenty-one passages, we read some of the most powerful prayers in the Bible-prayers that we can pray for one another and for ourselves. They are prayers that mature us in Christ and please the One Who saved us. They are prayers that inspire us.
But, even with these as our guide, the truth is that there are still times when we are not sure what to pray. In those times, God makes us a promise:
”In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings.” (Romans 8:26)
When we don’t know what to pray, He does!
