Memorable Prayers in the Bible
List by Ami Hendrickson
Most prayers are private conversations between us and God. Sometimes, however, God’s response to the petition is so compelling that the prayer itself merits mentioning.
The prayer of Joshua: “Sun, stand still!”
Joshua 10:12
Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel. He said in the sight of Israel, “Sun, stand still on Gibeon! You, moon, stop in the valley of Aijalon!”
The prayer of Jabez: “Bless me, indeed!”
1 Chronicles 4:9-10
Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him with sorrow.” Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my border! May your hand be with me, and may you keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” God granted him that which he requested.
Hannah’s prayer: “Do not forget your servant”
1 Samuel 1:10-11
She was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly. She vowed a vow, and said, “The LORD of Hosts, if you will indeed look at the affliction of your servant and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a boy, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come on his head.”
Jonah’s prayer: “You brought up my life from the pit”
Jonah 2:3-4, 6
For you threw me into the depths, in the heart of the seas. The flood was all around me. All your waves and your billows passed over me. I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’ I went down to the bottoms of the mountains. The earth barred me in forever: yet have you brought up my life from the pit, LORD my God.
Elisha’s prayer: “Open his eyes, that he may see”
2 Kings 6:17
Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, please open his eyes, that he may see.” The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.
Peter’s prayer for resurrection: “Get up!”
Acts 9:40
Peter sent them all out, and knelt down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
The Lord’s Prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
Pray like this: “Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.”
The repentant thief’s prayer: “Lord, remember me”
Luke 23:42
He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
