The Bible is full of powerful prayers that show us how God’s people spoke to Him in different times and situations. Here are some key examples of prayers in the Bible:

Prayer Examples in the Bible

1. The Lord’s Prayer – Matthew 6:9–13

Jesus taught His disciples how to 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 today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

👉 This is a model prayer covering praise, God’s will, daily needs, forgiveness, and protection.

2. Hannah’s Prayer – 1 Samuel 1:10–11; 2:1–10

In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed for a son, promising to dedicate him to God.
Later, after Samuel was born, she prayed a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving:
“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.”

3. Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication – 1 Kings 8:22–53

When the Temple was completed, Solomon stood before all Israel and prayed:
“O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below… May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which You said, ‘My Name shall be there.’”

4. David’s Prayers (The Psalms)

Psalm 51: Prayer of repentance — “Have mercy on me, O God…”
Psalm 23: Prayer of trust — “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Psalm 86: Prayer for guidance and mercy — “Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.”

5. Daniel’s Prayer of Confession – Daniel 9:4–19

Daniel confessed the sins of his people and sought God’s mercy:
“We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive!”

6. Nehemiah’s Prayer for Help – Nehemiah 1:4–11

Nehemiah wept for Jerusalem and prayed:
“O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love… let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer Your servant is praying.”

7. Jesus’ Prayer in Gethsemane – Luke 22:41–44

Before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed:
“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

8. Early Church Prayer – Acts 4:24–31

After persecution, believers prayed for boldness:
“Sovereign Lord… enable Your servants to speak Your word with great boldness.”

9. Paul’s Prayers

Ephesians 1:15–23: Prayer for wisdom and revelation.
Philippians 1:9–11: Prayer for love to abound more and more.
Colossians 1:9–12: Prayer for strength, patience, and joy.

✅ These examples show us prayers of praise, thanksgiving, repentance, intercession, and surrender.

🙏 Types of Biblical Prayer

1. Prayer of Adoration (Praise)

Focus: Worshipping God for who He is, His character, majesty, and greatness.
Example: “Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” — Psalm 103:1

2. Prayer of Thanksgiving

Focus: Gratitude for God’s blessings, provision, and answered prayers.
Example: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18

3. Prayer of Confession (Repentance)

Focus: Acknowledging sin and seeking forgiveness.
Example: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love… Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” — Psalm 51:1–2

4. Prayer of Supplication (Asking for Needs)

Focus: Bringing personal needs, desires, or burdens to God.
Example: “Give us this day our daily bread.” — Matthew 6:11

5. Prayer of Intercession

Focus: Praying for others’ needs—family, friends, leaders, nations.
Example: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority.” — 1 Timothy 2:1–2

6. Prayer of Faith

Focus: Trusting God for healing, provision, or miracles.
Example: “The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” — James 5:15

7. Prayer of Agreement (Corporate Prayer)

Focus: Believers united in prayer for the same need.
Example: “If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” — Matthew 18:19

8. Prayer of Consecration (Surrender)

Focus: Yielding to God’s will over our own.
Example: “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” — Luke 22:42

9. Prayer of Imprecation (Justice)

Focus: Calling on God to bring judgment on sin or enemies.
Example: “Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness.” — Psalm 10:15
Verse (KJV):
“Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.”

✨ Meaning of Psalm 10:15
1. “Break the arm of the wicked”
In ancient language, the “arm” symbolizes strength and power.
The psalmist is asking God to take away the strength of oppressors so they can no longer harm the innocent.
It doesn’t necessarily mean a literal broken arm, but the destruction of their ability to do evil.

2. “Seek out his wickedness till thou find none”
This is a prayer for complete justice.
The psalmist longs for God to search out, expose, and remove every trace of wickedness so it cannot continue.
It reflects faith in God’s thorough judgment — He will not overlook even hidden sin.

🔑 Key Takeaways
This is an imprecatory prayer (a cry for God’s judgment on evil).
It expresses deep frustration at injustice but also trust that God sees and will act.
For believers today:
We can pray for God to restrain evil in the world.
We remember that Christ ultimately defeated sin and evil on the cross.
While we cry for justice, we also pray for repentance and salvation of the wicked (2 Peter 3:9).
Here’s a short prayer inspired by Psalm 10:15:

Prayer:
Lord, You see the injustice in this world. Break the power of evil, silence the plans of the wicked, and let Your righteousness prevail. Protect the innocent, and help me to trust that You are always just and faithful. Amen.

Summary: Psalm 10:15 is a passionate plea for God to destroy the power of the wicked so that injustice cannot continue, and for Him to bring about complete and righteous judgment.

✅ Summary:

Upward (to God): Adoration, Thanksgiving, Consecration.
Inward (personal): Confession, Supplication, Faith.
Outward (for others): Intercession, Agreement, Imprecation.

Types of Biblical Prayer
Type of Prayer Focus / Description Biblical Example
Adoration (Praise) Worshipping God for who He is. Psalm 103:1

Verse (KJV):
“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”

Devotion on Psalm 103:1

David begins this psalm not by asking God for anything, but by calling his own soul to praise the Lord wholeheartedly. It’s as if he’s speaking to himself, stirring up his heart to worship.

“Bless the LORD” — This isn’t adding something to God, but acknowledging His worth, His goodness, and His glory. To bless God is to praise, honor, and thank Him with sincerity.
“O my soul” — True worship isn’t just outward words; it flows from the depth of our inner being. David is urging his entire self to engage in adoration.
“All that is within me” — Worship is meant to be wholehearted, not half-hearted. It involves our thoughts, emotions, will, and spirit.
“Bless His holy name” — God’s name represents His character, His holiness, and His faithfulness. To bless His name is to recognize Him for who He truly is.

💡 Application

This verse reminds us that worship isn’t dependent on our feelings or circumstances. Sometimes we must speak to our own soul and say: “Come on, remember who God is! Praise Him with everything you’ve got.”

In joy → worship God with thanksgiving.
In sorrow → worship God for His faithfulness.
In confusion → worship God for His wisdom and sovereignty.

🙏 Short Prayer

Lord, stir my heart to praise You with all that I am. Help me to worship not only with my lips, but with my soul, my mind, and my life. May all that is within me bless Your holy name today. Amen.

Thanksgiving Gratitude for God’s blessings and provision. 1 Thessalonians 5:18:

Verse (KJV):
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

✨ Devotional on 1 Thessalonians 5:18

This short verse carries a life-changing truth: gratitude is not optional for the believer — it’s God’s will for us.

“In everything” — Notice it doesn’t say “for everything.” We are not expected to be thankful for evil, suffering, or pain. But even in the midst of trials, we can give thanks because God is still at work, His purposes stand, and His presence remains with us.
“Give thanks” — Gratitude is an act of faith. When we thank God, we acknowledge His goodness, sovereignty, and provision — even before we see the outcome.
“For this is the will of God” — Many people wonder about God’s will for their life. Here’s part of the answer: a thankful heart. Gratitude is central to Christian living.
“In Christ Jesus” — Our ability to give thanks in all things is rooted in Jesus. Because of His salvation, we have hope, eternal life, and unshakable reasons to be grateful, no matter what.

💡 Application

Start a daily gratitude habit (list 3 things you’re thankful for each day).
In struggles, shift focus: instead of asking “Why me?” ask “How can I thank God even here?”
Remember — thanksgiving is a choice, not a feeling.

🙏 Short Prayer

Lord, teach me to give thanks in every situation. Help me to see Your hand at work even in trials, and to rest in the truth that gratitude is Your will for me in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Confession (Repentance) Acknowledging sin, seeking forgiveness. Psalm 51:1-2

Psalm 51:1–2, one of the most heartfelt prayers of repentance in Scripture.

Verses (KJV):
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”

✨ Devotion on Psalm 51:1–2

These verses come from David’s prayer after his sin with Bathsheba. They show us the heart of true repentance — not making excuses, but running straight to God’s mercy.

“Have mercy upon me, O God” — David appeals not to his own goodness, but to God’s character. Mercy is God not giving us the judgment we deserve.
“According to thy lovingkindness” — God’s covenant love (Hebrew: hesed) is faithful, steadfast, and undeserved. David knew forgiveness wasn’t based on works, but on God’s unfailing love.
“Blot out my transgressions” — In ancient times, debts could be “blotted out” or erased from a record book. David longs for God to wipe his sin away so it’s no longer held against him.
“Wash me… cleanse me” — Sin defiles, but God purifies. David recognizes that only God can cleanse the stain of guilt and restore him.

💡 Application

When we sin, the first step is not hiding but confessing — running to God’s mercy.
Our forgiveness doesn’t rest on our performance, but on God’s unchanging love.
Just as David asked for cleansing, we too need the ongoing work of Christ’s blood to wash us daily.

🙏 Short Prayer

Merciful Father, I come to You in humility. Wash me from every sin, cleanse my heart, and restore me by Your lovingkindness. Thank You that in Christ, my sins are blotted out and I am made new. Amen.

Supplication Asking for personal needs and desires. Matthew 6:11
Intercession Praying for others’ needs. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Faith Trusting God for healing, provision, or miracles. James 5:15
Agreement Corporate prayer in unity with others. Matthew 18:19
Consecration Yielding to God’s will over ours. Luke 22:42
Imprecation Calling on God for justice against wickedness. Psalm 10:15