12 Powerful Prayers In The Bible To Learn From

Along with reading scripture, praying to God is one of the most powerful weapons a Christian can possess. God instructs us to pray without ceasing, teaches us the importance of prayer throughout the Bible, and encourages us to have a life of prayer. While prayer is mentioned all throughout the Old and New Testament, there are a couple of prayers that have really impacted me and inspired me in my life of prayer. Below I’m sharing 12 powerful prayers in the Bible to learn from. Use these prayers in the Bible to inspire you to pray more and to believe in the power of prayer.

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SAVE THESE 20 POWERFUL PRAYERS IN THE BIBLE TO LEARN FROM!

12 POWERFUL PRAYERS IN THE BIBLE TO LEARN FROM

1. The Model Prayer.

Matthew 6:8-13 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 forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (NKJV)

Who did this prayer: Jesus

Scripture: Matthew 6:8-13

Purpose of this prayer: To teach believers how to pray to God.

PRAYER KEYPOINTS:

1. Praising God – hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.
2. Accepting God’s will – Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
3. Taking your petitions to God – Give us this day our daily bread.
4. Confessing sins – forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
5. Asking for deliverance – do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.
6. Glorifying God – For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
7. Conclusion – Amen (“so it be done”)

2. The Ultimate Prayer of Jesus.

When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, he not only prayed for himself but he also prayed for his disciples and believers to come. Therefore, I’m going to break down his prayer in three parts to make it easier to study.

JESUS PRAYS FOR HIMSELF:

John 17: 1-5 “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him……. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. (NKJV)

Who did this prayer: Jesus

Scripture: John 17:1-5

Purpose of this prayer: To be glorified.

PRAYER KEYPOINTS:

1. Follow God’s will – the hour has come.
2. Glorify God through your life – Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You
3. Recognize God’s authority- You have given Him authority over all flesh
4. Obedience to God – I have finished the work which You have given Me to do

JESUS PRAYS FOR HIS DISCIPLES:

John 17: 6-19 “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world………Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You.  For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them……I pray for them. 

I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them…….that they may be one as We are.  These things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves…. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. Sanctify them by Your truth. 

Scripture: John 17:6-19

Purpose of this prayer: Protection, guidance, and sanctification for Jesus’ disciples.

PRAYER KEYPOINTS:

1. Prayer for the chosen ones – I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me
2. Glorify Jesus in the life of The Disciples – I am glorified in them
3. Unity – Keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. 
4. Joy – My joy fulfilled in themselves
5. Protection – You should keep them from the evil one.
6. Sanctification – Sanctify them by Your truth.

JESUS PRAYS FOR ALL BELIEVERS

John 17: 20-26 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us,  that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am…… And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Purpose of this prayer: For believers to walk in God’s love, unity, and truth.

PRAYER KEYPOINTS:

1. Prayer for believers to come – I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word.
2. Perfect unity – that they may be made perfect in one.
3. Feel God’s love – the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them.
4. Remain in God’s presence – they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am

3. A Prayer For Guidance.

Exodus 33: 12-16 Then Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people……I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.’ Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.”

Who did this prayer: Moses

Scripture: Exodus 33:12-16

Purpose of this prayer: Moses prayed for God’s guidance, answer, and presence. He did not want to lead the Israelites to any land that God’s presence wouldn’t follow. So, he prayed that God would guide them along the way, show them that they are indeed His people, and above all, maintain His presence with them.

PRAYER KEYPOINTS:

1. Asking for guidance and direction – show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight.
2. Asking for confirmation – consider that this nation is Your people.
3. Clinging on to God’s presence – If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.

4. A Prayer Of Hope During Affliction.

Jonah 2: 2-9 “I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, and He answered me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice. For You cast me into the deep into the heart of the seas…..then I said, ‘I have been cast out of Your sight; yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.’ The waters surrounded me, even to my soul….yet You have brought up my life from the pit. When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer went up to You…..But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.” (NKJV)

Who did this prayer: Jonah

Scripture: Jonah 2:2-9

Purpose of this prayer: After being swallowed by a giant fish, Jonah prayed to God. During this prayer Jonah expressed his affliction, repentance, faith and hope in God in the midst of adversity, and gratitude after being heard/rescued.

PRAYER KEYPOINTS:

1. Expressing your feelings to God – I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction.
2. Staying hopeful during affliction – I have been cast out of Your sight; yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.
3. Recognizing God’s mercy – You have brought up my life from the pit.
4. Gratitude towards God – I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed.
5. Glorifying God through trials – Salvation is of the Lord.

5. A Prayer For Deliverance.

2 Chronicles 20: 6-12 “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 

And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, ‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence……and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.’ And now, here are the people…..they turned from them and did not destroy them— here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession. O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

Who did this prayer: Jehosphaphat

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:6-12

Purpose of this prayer: Jehoshaphat prayed for deliverance from the large army that was ready to attack the people of Judah.

PRAYER KEYPOINTS:

1. Reminding God of his power – Are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations.
2. Remembering God’s works – Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel
3. Reminding God of his promises – We will stand before this temple and in Your presence……and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.
4. Recognizing one’s weakness – we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us.
5. Depending on God – nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.

6. A Prayer Of Repentance.

Psalm 51: 1-12 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.….. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (NKJV)

Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. (NKJV)

Who did this prayer: David

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-12

Purpose of this prayer: David did this prayer after sinning against God. He prayed for forgiveness, redemption, and restoration.

PRAYER KEYPOINTS:

1. Asking God for mercy – Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love.
2. Asking God to be cleansed – Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3. Confessing your sins – For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned.
4. Remaining hopeful – Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
5. Asking for a NEW heart and spirit –Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
6. Asking God to remain in you and with you – Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
7. Implore complete restoration – Restore to me the joy of your salvation.

7. A Prayer Of Gratitude.

1 Samuel 2:1-10“ My heart exults in the Lord… My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God…..for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. (NKJV)

The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts….raises up the poor from the dust……lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor….. He will guard the feet of his faithful ones. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king. (NKJV)

Who did this prayer: Hannah

Scripture 1 Samuel 2:1-10

Purpose of this prayer: To thank and praise God after answering Hannah’s petition.

PRAYER KEYPOINTS:

1. Praising God –My heart exults in the Lord.
2. Rejoicing in God’s works –I rejoice in your salvation.
3. Acknowledging God’s power –The Lord kills and brings to life
4. Trusting in God –He will guard the feet of his faithful ones.

8. A Prayer For Spiritual Strength.

Ephesians 3: 14- 21 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father…… that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (NKJV)

Who did this prayer: Paul

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Purpose of this prayer: Paul prayed that God would provide the church with spiritual strength, understand Christ’s love, and be filled with the fullness of God.

PRAYER KEYPOINTS:

Paul prayed that the church would:

1. Receive spiritual strength – he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
2. Be rooted in love – being rooted and grounded in love.
3. Understand Christ’s love – to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge
4. Be complete in Christ – be filled with all the fullness of God.

9. A Prayer For Wisdom & Knowledge

2 Chronicles 1: 8-10 You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. Now, O Lord God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?” (NKJV)

Who did this prayer: Solomon

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 1:8-10

Purpose of this prayer: Solomon prayed that God would bless him with wisdom to be able to reign successfully.

PRAYER KEYPOINTS

1. Reminding God os his mercy – You have shown great mercy to David my father,
2. Acknowledging that God is in control – have made me king in his place
3. Reminding God of his promises –O Lord God, let Your promise to David my father be established,
4. Asking for wisdom and knowledge – give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people

10. A Prayer For Success.

Nehemiah 1:5-11 O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. (NKJV)

Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen. (NKJV)

O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (NKJV)

Who did this prayer: Nehemiah:

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:5-11

Purpose of this prayer: Nehemiah prayed that God would have mercy on the people in Jerusalem, forgive their sins, restore them and grant him grace in front of the King.

PRAYER KEYPOINTS:

1. Praising God – O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him
2. Asking to be listened to (humbly) –let your ear be attentive and your eyes open
3. Confessing sins – confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you.
4. Reminding God His own Word – Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses,
5. Asking for success and mercy – give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.

12. A Prayer For Boldness.

Acts 4:24-31 Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them…. For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” (NKJV)

Who did this prayer: Peter and John

Scripture: Acts 4:24-31

Purpose of this prayer: Peter and John prayed that God would give them strength to preach the Word with boldness and to not be intimidated by any threats.

PRAYER KEYPOINTS

1. Praising God – You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them
2. Acknowledging God’s will- gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.
3. Putting adversity in God’s hands- look on their threats
4. Asking God for boldness – grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word
5. Asking God to manifest himself – by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.

13. A Prayer For Vision.

2 Kings 6: 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 

Who did this prayer: Elisha

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:17

Purpose of this prayer: Elisha prayed that God would open the eyes of his servant.

PRAYER KEYPOINT:

1. Asking God for vision – Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I hope you found this list of 12 powerful prayers in the Bible helpful and inspiring. The same way that God listened to these prayers, He will listen to yours. Just continue to believe, pray, and love him with all of your heart. God’s love will never fail. Let me know in the comments below which prayer in the Bible you love the most.

More Posts You May Like:

• 100 Powerful Bible Verses Everyone Needs To Read
• 30 Powerful Bible Verses About Prayer
• The 30 Most Beautiful Bible Verses About Love
• 10 Best Ways To Stay Connected To God
• 10 Powerful Questions For Christians To Answer

Sending you blessings & love,

Gabby Abigail

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