Some of my Favorite Bible Verses for Prayer
The following is a list of Bible verses that I have found very helpful in some of the most difficult moments of my life. A few years ago I decided to compile all of them into one list, but this remains a work in progress.
I hope these Bible verses can be a blessing in your life.
If you click on the Bible verse it will take you to a website where you can read the entire chapter and have a better grasp on the context of the verse(s) I mention below.
Luke 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
This verse has had a great impact on my prayer life. I now pray daily for the Holy Spirit and I believe this has brought about the greatest change in my personal life and ministry in recent years.
Luke 18:1,7,8 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. [...] 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
You should really read the entire parable but these verses highlight the message found in the parable.
Romans 8:26 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.
When I don't know what to ask for I still come to God in prayer because I know enough to know I need God's help and according to the verse above I can come and He will translate my prayer into what it should be. This way there is no performance anxiety, I just have to show up for prayer and God helps with the rest!
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
I could write a whole blog post on this verse. Paul describes God's throne as a throne of grace where I can come and receive mercy and grace all the time because I am always in time of need
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I love that the only condition, the only "if," is "if we confess" there are no "if's" regarding God's willingness and ability to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The only that can keep me from being forgiven is myself when I refuse to confess my sin
Hebrews 7:25 English Standard Version Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Save to the uttermost. Enough said.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
This is another passage that has had a major impact on my prayer life. I find myself constantly praying for wisdom, and claiming this promise. I believe this also has had a significant impact on my personal life and ministry.
Mark 9:23,24 And Jesus said to him, "'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes." 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!"
I would recommend reading verse 23 one in several different translations because of the differences punctuation (which is not found in the original Greek) can make. But when I pray I tend to focus and repeat what the father says to Jesus, "I believe; help my unbelief." I find myself in that situation way too often.
Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Faith is key. This complements nicely Mark 9.
Philippians 2:13; for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
I love this verse because it takes my focus off of myself and my repeated failures and places the focus on God who causes me to even want to change in the first place. This also causes me to ask God to place in my heart desires that match His plans for my life.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
God is the one who supplies all my needs! It is so important to keep this in mind. It helps me keep from worrying and also helps me reflect on how much I truly "need" something I might want.
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
So many people struggle with anxiety, this verse encourages us to deal with it by giving it to God and thanking Him in advance for what He is about to do. It is difficult to be anxious while praising God. Not only that He also gives us a peace that doesn't make sense, a peace that non-believers can't understand.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
I have this verse written on the inside cover of my Bible. This verse helps me remember that if I am facing it, its because God can give me victory over it.
Matthew 6:9-13 9 Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
I could write a whole post on this one. Don't just memorize this (you should if you haven't) but understand the principles that we can apply to our prayers today. God is our loving provider, our prayer should change how we behave, and we should ask God to deliver us from evil or temptation (pray this before you fall into temptation).
2 Chronicles 7:14 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.
Humility goes a long way, especially when coupled with seeking the LORD and turning from our wicked ways. God is the one who saves, we just need to humbly accept that.
Exodus 34:6-7 The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation."
This verse just paints a beautiful picture of the character of God. The context is also great, Moses had asked God to see His face, but instead, God proclaims His name, and proceed to describe His character.
Isaiah 40:28-31 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
God never runs out of power, He is beyond all limitation and He is willing to strengthen us if we are willing to wait upon Him.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
I love how this verse reminds me that God can go far beyond whatever I can think or ask for. Even more amazing that power is already at work within us, causing us to come and read these verse, to begin with.
1 John 5:14-15 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.
This verse gives us confidence while highlighting the importance of being aware of God's will.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Once again the importance of humility and allowing God to do what He does best.
Isaiah 41:13 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’
When I read the verse above I always picture in my head the most powerful being in the universe reaching down to hold my hand.
Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
This verse reminds me that troubles will come, but I do not face them alone. God will not remove all trials but rather keep the trials from completely destroying me.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
I especially like the last phrase but the context is important. When I am weak and suffer for the sake of Christ, I am strong, for He is the One who gives me strength.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
Not only does God have plans for my welfare, He also will be found by me when I seek Him.
Luke 18:27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
You might already know this, but it is so good to be reminded of it.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things arelovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
This is just a great reminder for me to be more intentional about the things I chose to think about.
Isaiah 50:4 “The Lord God has given Me
The tongue of the learned,
That I should know how to speak
A word in season to him who is weary.
He awakens Me morning by morning,
He awakens My ear
To hear as the learned.
I have begun to pray that God will teach me how to speak.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Click on the link above and read the full context. The entire chapter is amazing!
Zechariah 2:8 For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.
This might seem like an odd addition to this list but I love how God says that we, His children, are the apple of His eye!
Psalm 37:5-6 Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
Commit and trust. Once again a reminder to let God do His thing and trust Him to do it.
Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed,
A refuge in times of trouble.
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.
God has not forsaken those who seek Him, that includes me when I seek Him. When I am oppressed or in trouble, He is my refuge.
Psalm 66:18 "If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear."
This serves as a warning for me to not cherish sin in my heart, for when I do it breaks down my communication with God. This is not to be confused with struggling with sin, I can come to God when I am struggling and need victory over sin. But I cannot come to God knowing I have sins in my life that I refuse to confess and have no intention to stop committing.
Psalm 67:1-2 God be merciful to us and bless us... that your way may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
I want God to bless me so that others may come to know Him.
Psalm 77 - (verse 7-9) Will the Lord cast off forever?
And will He be favorable no more?
Has His mercy ceased forever?
Has His promise failed forevermore?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies? Selah
Has God forgotten to be merciful? It is worth reading the whole Psalm. This is a reminder that in dark times it might feel like God has abandoned me, but looking at the past I know better. Trials and tribulations are always temporary, God always saves those who love Him.
Psalm 69:5-6 - Let not those who wait for You, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed because of me;
Let not those who seek You be confounded because of me, O God of Israel.
This passage really resonated with me. I added this to my prayer life as well.
Finally here is a quote that is not a Bible verse but I really like.
"Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, it brings us up to Him."
Steps to Christ. p94
