Bible Verses

Topical Study

Bible Verses About Prayer

Scripture on prayer — how to pray, when to pray, and what to pray for.

32 verses · curated by hand

From the wider Bible

More verses about prayer in Scripture

519 passages mentioning “pray” across WEB & KJV — beyond the curated set above.

Page 7 of 26

  1. 1 Samuel 16:22

    “Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me; for he has found favor in my sight.””

  2. 1 Samuel 19:2

    “Jonathan told David, saying, “Saul my father seeks to kill you. Now therefore, please take care of yourself in the morning, and live in a secret place, and hide yourself.”

  3. 1 Samuel 20:29

    “He said, ‘Please let me go, for our family has a sacrifice in the city. My brother has commanded me to be there. Now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go away and see my brothers.’ Therefore he has not come to the king’s table.””

  4. 1 Samuel 22:3

    “David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab, and he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and my mother come out with you, until I know what God will do for me.””

  5. 1 Samuel 23:22

    “Please go make yet more sure, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who has seen him there; for I have been told that he deals very crafty.”

  6. 1 Samuel 25:8

    “Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let the young men find favor in your eyes; for we come on a good day. Please give whatever comes to your hand, to your servants, and to your son David.’””

  7. 1 Samuel 25:24

    “She fell at his feet, and said, “On me, my lord, on me be the blame! Please let your servant speak in your ears. Hear the words of your servant.”

  8. 1 Samuel 25:25

    “Please don’t let my lord pay attention to this worthless fellow, Nabal; for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him; but I, your servant, didn’t see my lord’s young men, whom you sent.”

  9. 1 Samuel 25:28

    “Please forgive the trespass of your servant. For Yahweh will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord fights Yahweh’s battles. Evil will not be found in you all your days.”

  10. 1 Samuel 26:8

    “Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered up your enemy into your hand today. Now therefore please let me strike him with the spear to the earth at one stroke, and I will not strike him the second time.””

  11. 1 Samuel 26:11

    “Yahweh forbid that I should stretch out my hand against Yahweh’s anointed; but now please take the spear that is at his head, and the jar of water, and let us go.””

  12. 1 Samuel 26:19

    “Now therefore, please let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is so that Yahweh has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, they are cursed before Yahweh; for they have driven me out today that I shouldn’t cling to Yahweh’s inheritance, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods!’”

  13. 1 Samuel 28:8

    “Saul disguised himself and put on other clothing, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night. Then he said, “Please consult for me by the familiar spirit, and bring me up whomever I shall name to you.””

  14. 1 Samuel 28:22

    “Now therefore, please listen also to the voice of your servant, and let me set a morsel of bread before you. Eat, that you may have strength, when you go on your way.””

  15. 1 Samuel 30:7

    “David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” Abiathar brought the ephod to David.”

  16. 2 Samuel 1:4

    “David said to him, “How did it go? Please tell me.” He answered, “The people have fled from the battle, and many of the people also have fallen and are dead. Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.””

  17. 2 Samuel 1:9

    “He said to me, ‘Please stand beside me, and kill me; for anguish has taken hold of me, because my life lingers in me.’”

  18. 2 Samuel 7:27

    “For you, Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found in his heart to pray this prayer to you.”

  19. 2 Samuel 13:5

    “Jonadab said to him, “Lay down on your bed, and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, tell him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it from her hand.’””

  20. 2 Samuel 13:6

    “So Amnon lay down and faked being sick. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please let my sister Tamar come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.””

Frequently asked

Questions about prayer in the Bible

What does the Bible say about prayer?
Philippians 4:6 invites believers to pray about everything with thanksgiving. James 5:14-15 directs the sick to call for prayer. Matthew 6 contains the Lord's Prayer — the model Jesus gave for how to pray.
How should I pray?
Matthew 6:9-13 is the template Jesus gave: address God as Father, honour his name, ask for his kingdom, ask for daily needs, ask for forgiveness, ask for protection. Short, honest, and not for show (Matthew 6:5-8).
Does God always answer prayer?
Scripture says yes — but not always in the way or timing we expect. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 records Paul praying three times for a "thorn" to be removed and being given grace to bear it instead.