A Bible Story About Prayer

Praying to God is something that the Bible has always commanded us to do and we have many examples of prayer through the narratives found in the Bible. Looking at the many excellent examples of people who valued their prayer life, we should follow the same example. With that in mind, one of the prayers you can pray about your prayer life is being faithful to it:

Heavenly Father, give me the grace I need always to be faithful in my prayer life. Help me develop the discipline to pray constantly, not because it is a requirement, but because I put my relationship with You above all else. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Who was known for praying in the Bible?

Many people were known for praying in the Bible, but one good example is Daniel. Daniel being sent into the lion’s den under protection of his faith is a very famous story. 

The gist is that Daniel was an excellent servant of King Darius, and other officials were jealous of him. These jealous officials made King Darius decree that everyone should only pray to the king for thirty days. They were trying to trap Daniel, knowing that he would break the decree, and then be punished. Indeed, Daniel didn’t obey the decree and remained faithful to God. Daniel still prayed to God, and was reported. King Darius had to punish Daniel, despite not wanting to. That is where the famous story of Daniel not being harmed in the lion’s den comes in.

“Now, when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

-Daniel 6:10

We can learn from Daniel to be faithful to God and love Him above all else. Daniel put God first above all, and continued praying to God instead of the king (as decreed) because he loved God above everything, even when there were dangers associated with it. We should follow Daniel’s example and fight for our prayer life. In today’s context, this means choosing and fighting for our prayer time, rather than watching shows or doing something else. We must put laziness to death if it keeps us from praying. 

As you meditate on Daniel 6, here is how you can pray over what the Bible teaches us in Daniel 6:

Heavenly Father, give me the same discipline as Daniel had—to pray no matter what. Give me the grace to always fight for my prayer time and never be lazy about it. Help me always put You above all else by prioritizing my prayer time over other things. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

How important is prayer in the Bible?

The Bible is clear that praying to God is very important. Jesus Himself taught us to pray and how we should do it. Prayer, in simple terms, is our way of talking to God. It is how we communicate with Him. Just like any relationship, communication is very important. When we pray, we speak to God about many different things. If we have requests or petitions for God, we can tell God about it by praying. If we have things we are thankful for, we also need to thank God by praying. If we are in distress, we can ask God for help through prayer, as we do if we need strength. If we need wisdom, still, we ask God for that grace. Everything in our lives can be discussed with God through prayer. It is impossible to lead a Christian life and be a Christian without prayer. Praying should be second nature. 

Luke 11:1-13

And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

3 Give us day by day our daily bread.

4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;

6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?

7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.

8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Matthew 6:6-7

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Psalm 18:6

In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

Ephesians 6:10

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

James 1:5

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Isaiah 29:13

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

As you pray for your prayer life, here is one of the best ways to pray for it:

Father in heaven, I thank You because through Your Son Jesus I became Your child, and every prayer I offer can now reach You in the name of Jesus. Remind me that you are the center of this when praying. It is all about worshiping You. Give me the grace not to pray like Gentiles, who pray through the repetition of words. Help me to be persistent when it comes to my prayer life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Always remember that the foundation of our prayer life is Christ. In Christ, our sin is paid, and we are adopted as God’s children. Just like any child, we can communicate with our Father. Prayer has become something we take for granted, but we shouldn’t. If we treat going to work or watching our favorite shows as important, then we should treat our prayer lives with far more reverence than that.