What the Bible Says About Prayer

Hear a two-minute memorized story (MP3) of Jesus teaching on prayer. Listen a few times, and you should start to be able to retell it from memory.

“[Jesus] said to them, ‘A large crop is in the fields, but there are only a few workers. Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in’” (Luke 10:2 CEV).

“Always be joyful and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 CEV).

“I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people. So I never stop being grateful for you, as I mention you in my prayers. I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you His Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God. My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God's people. I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power He used when he raised Christ from death and let Him sit at his right side in heaven. There Christ rules over all forces, authorities, powers and rulers. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well. God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church He has made him the head of everything. The church is Christ's body and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything” (Ephesians 1:15-23 CEV).

“I kneel in prayer to the Father. All beings in heaven and on earth receive their life from him. God is wonderful and glorious. I pray that His Spirit will make you become strong followers and that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. Stand firm and be deeply rooted in His love. I pray that you and all of God's people will understand what is called wide or long or high or deep. I want you to know all about Christ's love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is. I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen” (Ephesians 3:14-20 CEV).

“Pray that I will be given the message to speak and that I may fearlessly explain the mystery about the good news. I was sent to do this work, and that's the reason I am in jail. So pray that I will be brave and will speak as I should” (Ephesians 6:19-20 CEV).

“You may go home now and stop worrying. I'm sure the God of Israel will answer your prayer” (1 Samuel 1:17 CEV).

“I pray that the LORD God of Israel will reward you for what you have done. And now that you have come to him for protection, I pray that he will bless you” (Ruth 2:12 CEV).

“In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don't know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words. All of our thoughts are known to God. He can understand what is in the mind of the Spirit, as the Spirit prays for God's people” (Romans 8:26-27 CEV).