If you've ever frozen up trying to pray and wondered what does the Bible say about prayer, the New Testament's answer is unexpectedly gentle: don't perform — pray. Jesus' disciples asked him directly, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1), and his answer is the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 — six short petitions that fit on a single breath. Address God as Father. Honor his name. Welcome his kingdom. Ask for what you need today. Forgive and be forgiven. Be kept from evil.
Beyond that template, scripture is full of examples that look nothing like a polished prayer. Hannah prays in such grief that the priest assumes she's drunk (1 Samuel 1). David rages at God in Psalm 13. Paul commands "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), which is less about volume than about a posture — keeping the line open all day, in fragments.
Two passages help when you don't know what to say. Philippians 4:6-7 says to bring "every thing" — anxieties especially — in prayer with thanksgiving, and promises God's peace as the reply. Romans 8:26-27 promises that even when we don't know how to pray, the Spirit "maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Translation: God isn't waiting for the right words. Begin where you are.
The verses below give you starting points. If you want a written prayer to use as a template, this page includes one. For longer or harder seasons, see also fasting, hearing God, and prayer for anxiety.
Verses
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. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Luke 11:1-4
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. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
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.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
James 5:13-16
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 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.
Romans 8:26-27
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. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Psalms 62:8
Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Reflection
Is there something you've been trying to figure out alone instead of bringing to God?
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