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What Are Some of the Most Powerful Prayers in the Bible?

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Ephesians 1:16-17).

Christianity.com Contributing Writer
Updated Dec 20, 2022
What Are Some of the Most Powerful Prayers in the Bible?

The following are some prayers for blessing, protection, deliverance, salvation, wisdom, help, revelation, and more found in the Bible.

Prayers from the Old Testament

Hannah’s Prayer (1 Samuel 2:1-10): Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; In the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, For I delight in your deliverance. “There is no one holy like the Lord; There is no one besides you; There is no Rock like our God. “Do not keep talking so proudly Or let your mouth speak such arrogance, For the Lord is a God who knows, And by him deeds are weighed.

“The bows of the warriors are broken, But those who stumbled are armed with strength. Those who were full hire themselves out for food, But those who were hungry are hungry no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, But she who has had many sons pines away. “The Lord brings death and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and raises up.

The Lord sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes And has them inherit a throne of honor. “For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; On them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, But the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.

“It is not by strength that one prevails; Those who oppose the Lord will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven; The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to his king And exalt the horn of his anointed.”

Prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:10): 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.

Hezekiah’s Prayer (2 Kings 19:15-19): And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God.

“It is true, Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these nations and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God.”

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

Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom (1 Kings 3:7-9) and Dedication of the Temple (1 Kings 8:22-53): “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

David’s Prayers: David cried out to the Lord in every area of his life, through every emotion, he found comfort in his Father in Heaven. Below are some of his most powerful prayers to God.

Prayer for Favor (Psalm 60)

Prayer for Repentance (Psalms 51)

Prayer for help in trouble (Psalms 43)

Prayer for Safety from enemies (Psalms 57)

Prayer for mercy (Psalms 86)

Prayer for wisdom and forgiveness (Psalms 39)

Prayer for Instruction and Guidance (2 Samuel 23:2): He inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” The Lord answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” (2 Samuel 2:1): In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked. The Lord said, “Go up.” David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” the Lord answered.

Jonah’s Prayer (Jonah 2:1-9): From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord, And he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, And you listened to my cry.

You hurled me into the depths, Into the very heart of the seas, And the currents swirled about me; All your waves and breakers Swept over me. I said, ‘I have been banished From your sight; Yet I will look again Toward your holy temple.’ The engulfing waters threatened me, The deep surrounded me; Seaweed was wrapped around my head.

To the roots of the mountains I sank down; The earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, Lord my God, Brought my life up from the pit. “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, And my prayer rose to you, To your holy temple. “Those who cling to worthless idols Turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, Will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”

Prayers from the New Testament

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13): “‘Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us today 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.

Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom (Ephesians 1:16-19): I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength.

Prayer for the Revelation of Christ (Ephesians 3:14-19): For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Jesus’ Prayer for His Disciples (John 17:1-26).

Prayer for Good health (3 John 1:2): Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

Here are 15 Bible Verses Every Christian Should Know By Heart for you to download or share with loved ones!

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/cyano66


Jolaade Olatunbsoun is an experienced Christian writer, having written for clients, local churches, and youth fellowship. Jolaade’s focus is on expounding biblical passages and expressing God’s love through writing. Her writing infuses faith into daily life, helping readers grow in the knowledge and love of God and His words. Desiring to help people understand the Bible, maximize their potential, and have a deeper fellowship with God, Jolaade develops content for Sunday school materials, Christian material for books, devotionals, eBooks, articles, short stories, and poems. Her blog may be found here

This article is part of our prayer resources meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.

Prayers for Healing
Morning Prayers
Prayers for Family
Prayers for Surgery

Prayers for Strength
Night Prayers Before Bed
Prayers for Protection
The Lord's Prayer: Our Father


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