How Many Times Is Prayer Mentioned in the Bible?

Prayer is an essential part of a Christian’s life. There are many types of prayers in the Bible for numerous different situations. But how many times is the word “pray” actually in the Bible? Read on to learn more!

How Many Times Is the Word “Prayer” Mentioned in the Bible?

The mention of “pray” or “prayer” in the Bible depends on the version and context of the word. For example, you’ll get 547 instances of the word “pray” and its variants when you search through the King James Version of the Bible, but not all of them are used in the context of praying to God. Meanwhile, you’ll get 322 instances of the word “pray” and its variations in the English Standard Version Bible.

The number of times that prayer is mentioned in the Bible varies because different editions use different words for the same verses, and some mentions of “pray” aren’t used in the context of praying to God. If you want to find out how many times prayer is mentioned in a version of the Bible, you need to consider the context of each instance of the word.

How Many Prayers Are in the Bible?

There are over 650 prayers in the Bible, and Scripture records 25 prayers of Jesus.

Types of Prayer

While there are hundreds of prayers in the Bible, there are eight major types of prayer:

Prayer of Faith 

A prayer of faith reaffirms our faith in God and His will. You can see an example of this prayer in James 5:15: “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”

Prayer of Agreement

A prayer of agreement or corporate prayer entails several people praying together. The most common example of corporate prayer is a church service.

Prayer of Petition

We’re told to bring our requests to God, and a prayer of petition is one of the ways to do so. As stated in the Bible, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). 

Prayer of Thanksgiving

A prayer of thanksgiving shows our gratitude for what God has done for us, as stated in Scripture: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name” (Psalm 100:4).

Prayer of Worship

A prayer of worship helps us recognize God’s power and greatness. There are many ways to worship God, like simply saying “God is good” or singing praise songs.

Prayer of Consecration

To consecrate is to make something holy. We may pray for consecration during different seasons of prayer and fasting, for example.

Prayer of Intercession

In a prayer of intercession, we pray for somebody else’s well-being or for God to intervene in a specific situation. One of the most prominent instances of a prayer of intercession is in John 17, where Jesus prays for all His disciples.

Prayer of the Holy Spirit

Sometimes, we don’t know what to pray for. When this happens, we can ask for the help of the Holy Spirit through prayer. 

Scripture states, “ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)

Postures of Prayer 

You can pray from any position, but the Bible specifically mentions five postures:

• Sitting: King David exemplified sitting in prayer, as Scripture states: “Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: ‘Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?’” (2 Samuel 7:18)
• Bowing: Bowing is often a sign of complete loyalty and allegiance. One of the instances of bowing as a prayer position is in Exodus 34:8: “Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped.”
• Kneeling: The Bible often refers to people kneeling in prayer, like when Daniel did so three times a day in Daniel 6:10: “Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”
• Lifting hands: Scripture mentions many prayers made with lifted hands, like in 1 Timothy 2:8: “Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.”
• Prostrating: Prostrating with your face to the ground shows a high level of devotion, as exhibited in Nehemiah 8:6: “Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, ‘Amen! Amen!’ Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.”

When Is Prayer First Mentioned in the Bible?

The first time prayer is mentioned is in Genesis 4:26: “Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord.” Before this passage, all dialogues with God were initiated by Him.

While the New International Version of the Bible doesn’t directly mention the word “prayer”, the passage mentions “people calling on the name of the Lord,” which usually denotes praying. 

Bible Verses About Prayer

Prayer is integral to the Christian life, so it’s no surprise that many Bible verses remind us of its importance. Here are several Bible verses that help you remember the power of prayer:

• “Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.” (Psalm 32:6)
• “But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.” (Psalm 66:19)
• “But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.” (Psalm 69:13)
• “The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” (Proverbs 15:29)
• “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)
• “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:5-7)
• “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.” (James 5:13)

Closing Thoughts

The number of times “prayer” is mentioned in the Bible varies by version, but the important thing is that prayer is an essential part of the Christian life. Prayer is our way of showing our gratitude and dependence on God, as well as a way to connect us with other Christians.

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