how should we pray
What does the Bible say about how should we pray? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
10 passages · most helpful first
5And when you pray, you should not be like the hypocrites, who love standing in the synagogues and at the corners of the streets to pray, so that they may be seen by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. 6But you, when you pray, enter into your room, and having shut the door, pray to your Father in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you. 7And when praying, do not choose many words, as the pagans do. For they think that by their excess of words they might be heeded. 8Therefore, do not choose to imitate them. For your Father knows what your needs may be, even before you ask him. 9Therefore, you shall pray in this way: Our Father, who is in heaven: May your name be kept holy. 10May your kingdom come. May your will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth.
1And it happened that, while he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” 2And he said to them: “When you are praying, say: Father, may your name be kept holy. May your kingdom come. 3Give us this day our daily bread. 4And forgive us our sins, since we also forgive all who are indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” 5And he said to them: “Which of you will have a friend and will go to him in the middle of the night, and will say to him: ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6because a friend of mine has arrived from a journey to me, and I do not have anything to set before him.’
14And this is the confidence which we have toward God: that no matter what we shall request, in accord with his will, he hears us.
7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, then you may ask for whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
13And whatever you shall ask the Father in my name, that I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
17Pray without ceasing.
16Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be saved. For the unremitting prayer of a just person prevails over many things.
9If we confess our sins, then he is faithful and just, so as to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquity.
9Therefore, you shall pray in this way: Our Father, who is in heaven: May your name be kept holy. 10May your kingdom come. May your will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth. 11Give us this day our life-sustaining bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation. But free us from evil. Amen.
6Jesus said to him: “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.