Throughout the Bible, we find moments when ordinary people spoke to God with extraordinary faith. The following powerful prayers in the Bible show us what it looks like to be honest, humble, and bold before Him. These prayers moved the heart of God. Let them encourage and guide you in your own prayer life today.
1. The Lord’s Prayer – Matthew 6:9–13 (NKJV)
“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.”
Commentary:
Jesus gave this prayer as a pattern—not just to recite, but to guide how we approach the Father: with reverence, surrender, trust, and dependence.
2. Hannah’s Prayer for a Child – 1 Samuel 1:10–11 (NIV)
“In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.
And she made a vow, saying,
‘Lord Almighty, if You will only look on Your servant’s misery and remember me,
and not forget Your servant but give her a son,
then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life,
and no razor will ever be used on his head.’”
Commentary:
Hannah’s honest, tearful prayer reveals the power of laying your heart bare before God. Her surrender and faith opened the door for a miracle.
3. Jabez’s Prayer for Blessing – 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)
“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.”
Commentary:
Though brief, this prayer is bold. Jabez didn’t hesitate to ask for increase and protection—and God honored it. It teaches us to pray big, faith-filled prayers.
4. David’s Prayer of Repentance – Psalm 51:1–12 (NIV)
“Have mercy on me, O God,
according to Your unfailing love;
according to Your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in Your sight;
so You are right in Your verdict
and justified when You judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet You desired faithfulness even in the womb;
You taught me wisdom in that secret place.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones You have crushed rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from Your presence
or take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
Commentary:
David doesn’t hide or justify his sin—he confesses it fully and pleads for mercy. This is one of the Bible’s most sincere prayers of repentance and restoration.
5. Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom – 1 Kings 3:7–9 (NIV)
“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?”
Commentary:
Solomon’s humility pleased God. Instead of asking for wealth or power, he asked for wisdom to lead well. God not only gave him wisdom but also the blessings he didn’t ask for.
6. Jesus’ Prayer in Gethsemane – Luke 22:41–44 (NIV)
“He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,
‘Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me;
yet not My will, but Yours be done.’
An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.
And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly,
and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
Commentary:
Jesus shows us how to pray when we’re overwhelmed: honestly and with full surrender. His obedience, even in anguish, opened the way to our salvation.
7. Hezekiah’s Prayer for Healing – 2 Kings 20:2–3 (NIV)
“Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord,
‘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.”
(Verse 5 reveals God’s response: “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.”)
Commentary:
Hezekiah’s plea came from a place of desperation. His prayer shows us that God not only hears but sees. He responds to sincere faith and tears.