How should we pray

Top verses

Ranked by readers’ votes at OpenBible.info.

• Matthew 6:5–15

  And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. …

• Luke 11:1–54

  And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. …

• 1 John 5:14

  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

• John 15:7

  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

• John 14:13

  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:17

  Pray without ceasing.

• James 5:16

  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

• 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.

• Matthew 6:9–13

  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. …

• John 14:6

  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

• Matthew 6:7

  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

• Mark 11:24

  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

• Ephesians 6:18

  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

• Romans 12:12

  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

• Matthew 6:6

  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

• 2 Peter 3:9

  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

• James 4:3

  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

• Philippians 4:6

  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

• Philippians 4:6–7

  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

• Colossians 4:2

  Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

• 1 Timothy 2:1

  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

• 2 Chronicles 7:14

  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

• 1 Timothy 2:1–2

  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

• 1 Timothy 2:8

  I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

• James 1:5

  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

• Philippians 1:3–11

  I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; …

• 1 Peter 2:4–8

  To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. …

• 1 John 5:13–21

  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. …

• Matthew 26:41

  Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

• Psalms 145:18

  The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

• Romans 8:26

  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

• Luke 6:12

  And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

• Mark 1:35

  And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

• Revelation 19:6–9

  And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. …

• 1 John 5:15

  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

• Matthew 6:9

  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

• Psalms 122:6

  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

• James 1:6

  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

• Luke 18:1

  And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

• Hebrews 4:16

  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.