We set aside the first Thursday of the month of May as a National Day of Prayer—to specifically pray for the leaders in our cities, our nation, and our world. 1 Timothy 2:2 urges us to pray “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
Dr. David Jeremiah said in a statement to CBN News: “Our world is facing unprecedented uncertainty. Health, finances, politics—every aspect of life seems to be hanging in the balance. Yet there is one source of true hope and healing, and that is Almighty God. He has promised, ‘If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.’”
Our world is hurting and in need of prayer—not just on the National Day of Prayer, but every day of the year. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, Paul reminds us to “pray without ceasing … for this is the will of God.” Pray for those who are struggling and suffering in dire circumstances. Pray for ones who have dedicated their lives to serve those in need. And pray that God will use each of us to provide comfort and answer their cries for help.
God is faithful. “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us” (1 John 5:14).
25 Scriptures from the Bible about Prayer
Philippians 4:6 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Matthew 18:20 – For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.
Jeremiah 33:3 – Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Psalm 145:18 – The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Matthew 26:41 – Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
2 Chronicles 7:14 – If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Matthew 6:9-12 – Pray then like this: “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 also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
Psalm 102:17 – He regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer.
Romans 12:12 – Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Job 22:27 – You will make your prayer to him, and he will hear you.
James 5:13-16 – Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Psalm 18:6 – In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.
1 John 5:14 – And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
Ezra 8:23 – So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.
Colossians 4:2 – Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Jeremiah 29:12 – Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.
Matthew 5:44 – But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…
Proverbs 15:29 – The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Matthew 6:6-7 – But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
1 Chronicles 16:11 – Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Luke 11:9-10 – And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Psalm 34:17 – When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
1 Peter 3:12 – For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Mark 1:35 – And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
Scripture is quoted from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.
Give a Gift
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
and one who waters will himself be watered.
Proverbs 11:25