Prayers from the Bible and the Story Behind Each of Them

The Old Testament is filled with Bible verses that show us examples of prayer and provide us with encouragement to pray.

As devotional Christians, prayer is a daily activity in our lives. Sometimes we pray out of respect and thanks, such as at the dinner table. Other times we pray out of need when our life is going off course. We also pray without requests to God, such as when we celebrate our achievements and want to share them with the Lord in gratitude.

No matter the reasons why we pray, the Bible teaches us praying and communicating with God is an amazing privilege. Our ability as Christians to have an open relationship with the Lord is a demonstration of God's love for us.

The power of prayer is infinite. In this article, we will see examples of how men and women in the Bible have called upon God for guidance and help in their most dire times.

Importance of prayer

The Bible explains to us the importance of prayer in our daily lives. It helps us feel the Holy Spirit, seek forgiveness, and receive guidance.

The Bible encourages us to have a personal relationship with God. We are told many times in scripture to “draw near” to God, implying the importance and the privilege we have as Christians to have a personal relationship with Him.

The following verses demonstrate the importance of praying to our Lord.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). 

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you” (Jeremiah 29:12).

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:6). 

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24). 

"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).

Praying in Jesus' name

Often, prayers include the words 'in Jesus' name.' Yet, do we ever stop to think what it means to pray in His name?

To pray in Jesus' name means to pray with his authority. To pray in Jesus' name also means praying according to the will of God. In doing so, we ask God to act upon our daily prayers.

The Bible even tells us to pray in Jesus' name.

"I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it" (John 14: 13-14).

"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete" (John 16:24).

We often close a prayer 'In Jesus, Amen,' but God listens to us regardless. The routine and formula of the prayer are not why God listens to us. What is important is the purpose of the prayer. The love we put into our words as we pray to Him is why He listens.

Praying for help from God

Many Christians pray to Jesus Christ for help in times of need. To seek His assistance in our dark times, we must pray to Him and ask Him to provide for us.

Many times in the scriptures, we are told God is here when we need Him. Two wonderful examples in the Bible are found in Isaiah.

“Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10). 

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13).

We can take strength from our faith and the Bible as we pray for guidance.

"Do not be afraid," Moses replied. "For God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sinning” (Exodus 20:20).

People who prayed in the Bible

One of the most memorable prayers we learn in Bible study is the Lord's Prayer, found in the New Testament. The Lord’s Prayer is a prayer Jesus taught to his disciples when one asked for him to teach them how to pray.

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen” (Luke 11:1-4).

Beyond this story of Jesus’ prayer, there are many times people prayed in the Bible, and their prayers were heard by God. Here are just a few examples that remind us of the power of prayer.

Hannah

Hannah was relentlessly humiliated by a woman who easily bore children as she knew Hannah could not. In her anguish, Hannah prayed to the Lord, asking Him for help. She promised if He helped her have a son, she would dedicate that son to the Lord.

“Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head” (1 Sam 1:10-11).

In response to Hannah's pleas, the Lord granted her a son, who she named Samuel. The Lord also gave Hannah three more sons and two daughters. As an adult, Samuel became a prophet in Israel, and he communicated with God throughout the duration of his life.

Hezekiah

When Jerusalem was under siege by the Assyrian King Sennacherib, King Hezekiah told his people to keep their faith in God and pray alongside him for help defeating their enemy.

“Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God” (2 Kings 19:19).

The night he told his people to pray, an angel from the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. Learning of this news, the rest of the enemy's army took flight and returned home without any further opposition.

After seeing God's power, King Hezekiah once again called upon God in prayer as he laid gravely ill upon his deathbed. The prophet Isaiah visited Hezekiah and delivered a message from the Lord that the king would die from his illness. The king then cried out to the Lord in prayer.

“Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes” (2 Kings 20:3).

The prophet was then given a new message from the Lord for the dying king. God instructed Isaiah to tell Hezekiah that He had heard the man's prayers, and He would heal his illness and add an additional 15 years to the man's life.

Moses

Moses frequently spoke to the Lord. He asked for God to bless the Israelites, God's chosen children, and for His presence to accompany them as they traveled.

Moses then took it upon himself to make a request. The request was so bold that many of us with even the highest and utmost faith wouldn't dare to ask it of our Lord. Moses asked to see God's very personage. He prayed to see God's glory up close.

“Now show me your glory” (Exodus 33:18).

God answered Moses and guided him into a cleft on Mt. Sinai. God had covered Moses' view, and after reaching their destination, God made His presence known, allowing Moses to uncover his eyes and giving him permission to view God standing before him from the back.

From that day on, Moses had to wear a veil over his face. He reportedly resembled the brilliance of God so much that the Israelites could only look upon him with the covering of the veil.

Jabez

God answered Jabez’s simple and short prayer. Jabez was direct in his prayer to God, and God, in turn, blessed Jabez with His answer.

“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request” (1 Chronicle 4: 9-10).

Solomon

Solomon was a devout Christian and followed in God’s footsteps. He prayed to God for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. 

God answered Solomon’s prayer in 2 Chronicles 1:11-12: 

“God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”

Never underestimate the power of prayer.

The privilege of prayer

As children of God, we are privileged to be able to pray to Him in our times of need. When we are facing dire challenges and times of anguish, God wants us to talk to Him. He wants us to tell Him what we need.

There are many examples of powerful prayers in the Bible. Turn to God’s word to learn more. If you keep your faith strong, He will always listen to you.

For more prayer guidance and Bible stories, download the Pray.com app on the iOS App Store and Google Play.