Guide
Biblical Prayers
Biblical Period
Many biblical prayers can be found interspersed in narrative contexts.
Restricted
Many biblical prayers—both prose and verse—are set within narratives. Some, however, appear within other genres. For example, the prayer of Habakkuk constitutes the last chapter of the book of the prophet Habakkuk (see A Complaint to God and Babylon for selections from earlier in Habakkuk ), and the fifth chapter of the book of Lamentations is part of a collection of poetic laments for the destruction of the Temple and the city of Jerusalem in 586 BCE (see Lamentations for other selections from that book).
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Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
Jacob’s Prayer before His Reunion with Esau
Genesis 32:10–13
Then Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord, who said to me, ‘Return to your native land and I will deal bountifully with you’! I am unworthy of all the…
Primary Source
Moses’ Prayer after the Golden Calf Incident
Exodus 32:11–13
But Moses implored the Lord his God, saying, “Let not Your anger, O Lord, blaze forth against Your people, whom You delivered from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand. Let…
Primary Source
Hannah’s Prayer after Giving Birth to Samuel
1 Samuel 2:1–10
And Hannah prayed:
My heart exults in the Lord;
I have triumphed through the Lord.
I gloat over my enemies;
I rejoice in Your deliverance.
There is no holy one like the Lord,
Truly, there is none…
Primary Source
David’s Thanksgiving Prayer for God’s Promise of a Dynasty
2 Samuel 7:18–29
Then King David came and sat before the Lord, and he said, “What am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that You have brought me thus far? Yet even this, O Lord God, has seemed too little to You…
Primary Source
David’s Thanksgiving Prayer on Completing Preparations for the Temple
1 Chronicles 29:10–19
David blessed the Lord in front of all the assemblage; David said, “Blessed are You, Lord, God of Israel our father, from eternity to eternity. Yours, Lord, are greatness, might, splendor, triumph…
Primary Source
Solomon’s Temple-dedication Prayer
1 Kings 8:14–53
Then, with the whole congregation of Israel standing, the king faced about and blessed the whole congregation of Israel. He said: “Praised be the Lord, the God of Israel, who has fulfilled with…
Primary Source
Hezekiah’s Prayer upon Recovery from Illness
Isaiah 38:9–20
A poem by King Hezekiah of Judah when he recovered from the illness he had suffered:
I had thought:
I must depart in the middle of my days;
I have been consigned to the gates of Sheol
For the rest…
Primary Source
Jonah’s Prayer from within the Fish
Jonah 2:2–11
Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish. He said:
In my trouble I called to the Lord,
And He answered me;
From the belly of Sheol I cried out,
And You heard my voice.
You cast…
Primary Source
Habakkuk’s Prayer for God to Manifest His Power
Habakkuk 3
A prayer of the prophet Habakkuk. In the mode of Shigionoth.
O Lord! I have learned of Your renown;
I am awed, O Lord, by Your deeds.
Renew them in these years,
Oh, make them known in these years!…
Primary Source
A Prayer for the Restoration of Judah
Lamentations 5
Remember, O Lord, what has befallen us;
Behold, and see our disgrace!
Our heritage has passed to aliens,
Our homes to strangers.
We have become orphans, fatherless;
Our mothers are like widows.
W…
Primary Source
Daniel’s Prayer upon Learning the Secret of Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
Daniel 2:19–23
The mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision; then Daniel blessed the God of Heaven. Daniel spoke up and said:
“Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power are…
Primary Source
The People’s Penitential Prayer after Hearing the Teaching
Nehemiah 9
On the twenty-fourth day of this month, the Israelites assembled, fasting, in sackcloth, and with earth upon them. Those of the stock of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood…