One of the most powerful things a believer can do is pray. The Bible is filled with remarkable prayers—raw, heartfelt, passionate conversations between people and God. These prayers span every season of life: joy, desperation, repentance, intercession, worship, confusion, surrender, and more. They not only teach us how to pray, but they also show us God’s heart and His response to the cries of His people.
Here are 10 great prayers from the Bible that have stood the test of time. Each one is worth studying, meditating on, and even incorporating into our own prayer life.
1. The Prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:10)
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!”
A short but bold prayer for God’s blessing, guidance, and protection. It reminds us that it’s not wrong to ask for God’s favor when our hearts are set on doing His will.
Takeaway: God honors bold prayers that come from humble hearts.
2. Hannah’s Prayer (1 Samuel 1:10–11; 2:1–10)
“In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord…”
Hannah’s desperate plea for a child—and her promise to dedicate him to the Lord—shows the power of persistent, heartfelt prayer. After Samuel was born, her prayer turned into a song of praise.
Takeaway: God hears the prayers of the brokenhearted and can turn mourning into dancing.
3. Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom (1 Kings 3:7–9)
“Give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil…”
As a new king, Solomon could have asked for anything—riches, power, revenge—but he asked for wisdom. God was so pleased that He gave him wisdom and everything else besides.
Takeaway: When we ask for what pleases God, He often gives us more than we ask.
4. David’s Prayer of Repentance (Psalm 51)
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love…”
After being confronted by the prophet Nathan, David pours out his heart in confession and repentance. Psalm 51 is one of the most powerful examples of a truly contrite spirit.
Takeaway: God never despises a broken and repentant heart.
5. Jehoshaphat’s Prayer in Crisis (2 Chronicles 20:5–12)
“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
Faced with a vast enemy army, King Jehoshaphat leads the people in a prayer of total dependence on God. God responds with a miraculous victory.
Takeaway: When you don’t know what to do, fix your eyes on God—and watch Him fight your battles.
6. Ezra’s Prayer of National Repentance (Ezra 9)
I fell to my knees and lifted my hands to the Lord my God. I prayed, “I am too ashamed and disgraced, my God, to lift up my face to you…”
Ezra’s heart breaks over the unfaithfulness of his people. He identifies with their sin and pleads for God’s mercy.
Takeaway: True intercession means taking on the burden of others and standing in the gap.
7. Nehemiah’s Prayer for Restoration (Nehemiah 1:4–11)
“When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Then I said,
“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of unfailing love with those who love Him and obey His commands, listen to my prayer!…..”
Before rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah prayed and fasted, confessing Israel’s sins and asking for favor with the king. His leadership began in the secret place of prayer.
Takeaway: Every great work of God begins with a burden—and that burden is first carried in prayer.
8. Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer (John 17)
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son…”
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message. “
Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples, and for all believers. It’s one of the most intimate and profound prayers in all of Scripture.
Takeaway: Jesus prayed for you before you were even born. His heart is still for you.
9. The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13)
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, may Your kingdom come, may Your will be done…”
This model prayer taught by Jesus gives us a framework for approaching God: with worship, surrender, daily dependence, forgiveness, and a cry for deliverance.
Takeaway: Prayer is not just asking—it’s aligning.
10. Paul’s Prayer for the Church (Ephesians 3:16–18)
“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being… And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power… to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…”
Paul’s passionate intercession for the believers in Ephesus shows his desire for them to experience the depth of Christ’s love and the power of the Spirit.
Takeaway: Praying Scripture over others builds up the Church and aligns us with God’s purposes.
Final Thoughts
The great prayers of the Bible weren’t always long, poetic, or perfectly worded. But they were honest, faith-filled, and God-focused. They teach us how to approach God with reverence, boldness, humility, and trust.
If you’re ever unsure how to pray, start with Scripture. Pray the Psalms. Pray Paul’s letters. Pray like Jesus. There’s no better teacher on prayer than the Word itself.
Let’s Pray:
Lord, teach me to pray. Let my heart be tender before You, bold in faith, humble in repentance, and persistent in intercession. May my prayer life grow richer as I follow the examples of those who walked with You in Scripture. Amen.
If this blog encouraged you, feel free to share it with someone who wants to grow in prayer. You can find more training and encouragement at markcole.ca.
—Mark
