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
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
Luke 11:1-4
One day in a place where Jesus had just finished praying, one of His disciples requested, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” So Jesus told them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”
Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice at all times. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
James 5:13-16
Is any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.
Romans 8:26-27
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Psalms 62:8
Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah
Reflection
Is there something you've been trying to figure out alone instead of bringing to God?
Related topics
Want to search by feeling instead? Type what's on your heart on the home page.