Public prayer

In addition to private prayer, the Christian church has a tradition of public prayer. This winds back through the NT to the OT. Broadly speaking, this is a very ancient tradition, although that doesn’t necessarily mean our sectarian ecclesiastical practice is analogous to public prayer in the OT or the NT.

The principle behind corporate prayer is that Christians have a corporate identity as well as an individual identity. We are collectively the people of God. The Body of Christ. And there are times when we ought to act collectively as well as individually. A time when we pray a united prayer.

There are different types of public prayer: praise, petition, thanksgiving, confession, benediction, adoration, intercession–or even malediction.

Public prayers are frequently informative to some degree. The rationale is not to inform God (who is omniscient), but to inform or remind the congregation. Sometimes this involves reminding the congregation of what God is like, what God has done, what God has yet to do. Or reminding the congregation of their sinfulness and neediness.

In a prayer of petition or intercession, informing the congregation of the situation, so that it will know what to pray for. The more we know about the situation, the more specific we can be. The better we can tailor the prayer to the personal circumstances of the individual we pray for.

Different theological traditions have different traditions of public prayer. Indeed, this can distinguish one theological tradition from another. It can also be controversial.

Liturgical prayer

Liturgical churches have prayerbooks with form prayers. This is a type of guided prayer. And it generally takes either of two forms: (a) the lector reads aloud specific petitions while the congregation alternates with a refrain; (b) the lector and the congregation read aloud a prayer in unison.

Form prayers of the (a) variety have a fill-in-the-blank component, where the lector adds a specific name or names.

In their defense, liturgical prayers can have a catechetical function. They teach the congregation how to pray. Inculcate a theology of prayer. Foster a lifelong habit of prayer.

But there are potential downsides to liturgical prayer:

i) Public prayer can become a substitute for private prayer. Likewise, reciting the same rote prayers every week can lead to dead formalism and spiritual stultification. I realize that’s a cliché, but it has a grain of truth, which is why it became a cliché in the first place.

ii) It can reduce prayer to oratory or poetry. Foster the impression that the efficacy of prayer is proportional to the eloquence of the supplicant. If we speak pretty words to God, then God is more likely to do what we ask.

Needless to say, God doesn’t care about our verbal elegance. Prayer is not a work of art.  Aesthetic merit is not the essence of prayer.

iii) The catechetical function of liturgical prayer was more germane at a time when literacy was rare, and books were prohibitively expensive. But in an age of (near) universal literacy and (near) universal access to theological literature, the laity should take more initiative in their spiritual instruction.

iv) The catechetical function of liturgical prayer is only as good as the denomination or theological tradition that writes the script. Liturgical prayers can inculcate bad theology as well as good theology, depending on the sponsoring tradition (e.g. the Rosary).

Up to a point, I think liturgical prayer can be edifying, but it shouldn’t be the only way the church prays.

Prayer leader

In some traditions, you have a prayer leader. Like liturgical prayer, this is a type of guided prayer. It often takes the form of the pastoral prayer, although the elders sometimes assume this role, leading the congregation in prayer. Indeed, pastor and elders may rotate.

In this tradition, the prayer leader prepares a lengthy prayer. This is generally written out in advance, and read aloud. The prayer leader prays on behalf of the congregation, as their spokesman. He prays a representative prayer.

In its defense, if you’re going to have a long public prayer, it is best to organize your thoughts when you speak in public. It’s even harder for the congregation to pay attention if it’s a rambling prayer where the speaker meanders and gropes for words.

This can also screen prayers from the congregation. Invasion of privacy (or even defamation) is a potential risk of intercessory prayer if embarrassing information is publicly divulged without the consent of the named individual (who is often absent from the proceedings).

But there are potential downsides to this method:

i) These prayers tend to be longwinded and dull. The mind is apt to wander.

ii) There’s a risk of showmanship. Elders can be frustrated preachers. This is their chance to shine, seize the limelight.

iii) The prayers are often more like lectures, with a theological prolegomenon on the nature of God.

iv) Is this a corporate prayer? Or is this simply listening to someone pray? Hearing a prayer isn’t the same thing as praying.

In theory, the congregation is supposed to lend its assent to what it hears. But that’s hard to put into practice. By the time you hear what was said, that’s already past and the speaker is on to the next item in the litany. So the mind never has a chance to linger or catch up. This is unlike private prayer, where we pray at our own pace.

iv) I don’t think this works well for intercessory prayer. The prayer leader rattles of a list of names. One after another in rapid succession. It’s hard to remember every name, much less pray for them individually. You can’t simultaneously pray for them and listen to the speaker, for if you mentally pause to pray for them, you must momentarily tune out the speaker.

Seems to me that intercessory prayer is more meaningful if we take the time to really think about the person we pray for, as a unique individual. Think about his particular situation. And adapt our prayer to who he is and what he needs.

From the floor

I once attended a church where there was a segment during the worship service when the pastor solicited prayer requests from the floor. In my experience, that worked out nicely.

However, it’s easy to imagine situations in which it wouldn’t work as well. There’s the risk that a talkative parishioner will hog the show, monopolize the proceedings. There’s the additional danger if the parishioner is indiscreet. Airing things in public about another person which should only be shared with a few confidants. Or even use the occasion as a pretext to slander someone. Enlist the support of a captive audience.

Moreover, this would only be feasible in small church. In a megachurch, there would be too many prayer requests from the floor.

At the alter

I also attended a church where the pastor and elders invited parishioners to come forward to the alter to be prayed over. This had an edifying effect on the congregants. However, I’m not sure that I’d recommend it.

For one thing, it can foster a sense of spiritual elitism. We can’t pray directly to God. God will only hear us if an anointed mediator takes our petitions and offers them up to God.

I also think this can cultivate the false assurance that you got through to God by going forward and having someone pray over you. So you can put that behind you.

But were you really in contact with God? Having someone pray in your stead isn’t the same as you praying to God. That can supplement prayer, but that shouldn’t substitute for your own prayer.

Prayer chain

With the advent of the telephone, many churches developed the tradition of a prayer chain. A subset of the congregation (the “faithful few”) that takes an interest in intercessory pray forms a prayer group. They pray for one another. This was like a “chain” inasmuch as you’d phone a parishioner, share your request, and pray together. She, in turn, would share this with the next member of the prayer chain. In my observation, it’s usually women who organize a prayer chain.

Nowadays, with the advent of the Internet, this often takes the form of email to multiple recipients.

This, in turn, raises the question of how we define corporate prayer. Corporate prayer can either be synchronic or diachronic, simultaneous or distributive. When the church gathers for worship, it can pray at the same time and place.

Or it can be collective in a cumulative sense–like a prayer chain. Parishioners pray for one other at different times and places, but it all adds up.

Prayer meeting

Some churches have the tradition of a prayer meeting. A prayer meeting is a weekly, monthly, or bimonthly service which is set aside just for corporate prayer–although it may be a prayer and praise service, in which prayers and hymns alternate.

My impression is that this is more customary for small, rural, fundamentalist churches. And it’s more common for women to participate.

A subset of the congregation (the “faithful few”) will come together to pray for one another. One way of handling this is to have an individual will ask for prayer, either for herself or for someone else, then parishioners in attendance will offer brief, individual prayers.

I think that’s a good way to handle intercessory prayer at a corporate level.

Praying with the Bible

Finally, the Bible is chock-full of prayers–both public and private. This can be a way of teaching ourselves how to pray. It’s good to read and reflect on these prayers. Internalize these prayers. Kneed them into the texture of our own prayer life.

Genesis

Prayer History Begins ...............................................................................................Gen. 4:26

Prayer and Spiritual Progress ....................................................................................Gen. 5:21-24

Prayer and the Altar ..................................................................................................Gen. 12, 13

Prayer for an Heir .....................................................................................................Gen. 15

Prayer—the Language of a Cry ................................................................................Gen. 16

Prayer and Revelation ...............................................................................................Gen. 17

Prayer for a Wicked City ..........................................................................................Gen. 18, 19

Prayer after a Lapse ..................................................................................................Gen. 20

Prayer of Obedience .................................................................................................Gen. 22

Prayer for a Bride ......................................................................................................Gen. 24

Prayer for a Barren Wife ...........................................................................................Gen. 25:19-23

Prayer Changes Things .............................................................................................Gen. 26

Prayer As a Vow, .......................................................................................................Gen. 28

Prayer about a Wronged Brother ..............................................................................Gen. 32

Prayer—The Motion of a Hid den Fire .....................................................................Gen. 39-41; 45:5-8; 50:20, 24

Prayer for Blessing upon the Tribes ..........................................................................Gen. 48, 49

Exodus

Prayer Expressed As a Groan ....................................................................................Exod. 1, 2

Prayer As a Dialogue ................................................................................................Exod. 3, 4

Prayer As Complaint ................................................................................................Exod. 5-7

Prayer in League with Omnipotence ........................................................................Exod. 8-10

Prayer As Praise ........................................................................................................Exod. 15

Prayer in Peril ...........................................................................................................Exod. 17

Prayer of the Needy ..................................................................................................Exod. 22:22-24

Prayer for Delay of Deserved Judgment ....................................................................Exod. 32

First Prayer of Moses for Israel .................................................................................Exod. 32:9-14

Second Prayer of Moses ............................................................................................Exod. 32:30-34

Third Prayer of Moses ..............................................................................................Exod. 33:12-23

Prayer and Transfiguration ........................................................................................Exodus 34

Numbers

Prayer As Benediction ..............................................................................................Num. 6:24-27

Prayer for Preservation and Protection ......................................................................Num. 10:35, 36

Prayer for the Removal of Judgment .........................................................................Num. 11:1, 2

Prayer of a Discouraged Heart ..................................................................................Num. 11:10-35

Prayer of a Meek Man ..............................................................................................Num. 12

Prayer for the Upholding of Divine Honor ...............................................................Num. 14

Prayer for Divine Action against Rebellion ...............................................................Num. 16 Prayer for Relief from Death ....................................................................................Num. 21

Prayer and Prophecy .................................................................................................Num. 23, 24

Prayer for a New Leader ...........................................................................................Num. 27

Deuteronomy

Prayer for a Privileged Task ......................................................................................Deut. 3:23-29

Prayer to One Who Is Nigh .....................................................................................Deut. 4:7

Prayer for the Stay of Judgment ................................................................................Deut. 9:20, 26-29

Prayer as a Blessing ...................................................................................................Deut.  21:6-9

Prayer as Thanksgiving .............................................................................................Deut. 26

Prayer as a Song ........................................................................................................Deut. 32,33

Joshua

Prayer as a Challenge ................................................................................................Josh. 5:13-15

Prayer God Does Not Answer ..................................................................................Josh. 7

Prayer Neglected with Dire Results ..........................................................................Josh. 9:14

Prayer That Produced a Miracle ...............................................................................Josh. 10

Judges

Prayer for Direction ..................................................................................................Judg. 1

Prayer in Time of War ..............................................................................................Judg. 4, 5

Prayer for Signs ........................................................................................................Judg. 6

Prayer in Calamity ....................................................................................................Judg. 10:10-16

Prayer As a Bargain ..................................................................................................Judg. 11:30-40

Prayer for an Unborn Child ......................................................................................Judg. 13

Prayer in the Face of Death ......................................................................................Judg. 16:28-31

Prayer Directly Answered .........................................................................................Judg. 20:23-28

Prayer for a Lost Tribe ..............................................................................................Judg. 21:2-3

I Samuel

Prayer without Words ...............................................................................................I Sam. 1

Prayer, Prophetic in Outlook ....................................................................................I Sam. 2:1-10

Prayer in the Sanctuary .............................................................................................I Sam. 3

Prayer for National Trouble ......................................................................................I Sam. 7

Prayer for a King.......................................................................................................I Sam. 8

Prayer As Vindication ...............................................................................................I Sam. 12

Prayer of a Distressed King .......................................................................................I Sam. 14

Prayer of a Grieved Heart .........................................................................................I Sam. 15:11

Prayer As a Still Small Voice ....................................................................................I Sam. 16:1-12

Prayer As the Secret of Courage ...............................................................................I Sam. 17

Prayer As Enquiry ....................................................................................................I Sam. 23

Prayer for Deaf Ears .................................................................................................I Sam. 28:7

Prayer for Restoration of War-Spoil .........................................................................I Sam. 30

II Samuel

Prayer As to Possession .............................................................................................II Sam. 2:1

Prayer for Victory Signs ............................................................................................II Sam. 5:19-25

Prayer for Blessing upon House and Kingdom .........................................................II Sam. 7:18-29

Prayer for a Sick Child .............................................................................................II Sam. 12

Prayer As Pretense ....................................................................................................II Sam. 5:7-9

Prayer for Understanding of Affliction .....................................................................II Sam. 21:1-12

Prayer As a Psalm .....................................................................................................II Sam. 22

Prayer As a Confession of Pride ...............................................................................II Sam. 24:10-17

I Kings

Prayer for a Wise Heart ............................................................................................I Kings 3

Prayer of Dedication .................................................................................................I Kings 8:12-61

Prayer for a Withered Hand .....................................................................................I Kings 13:6

Prayer for Closed Skies .............................................................................................I Kings 17

Prayer for Resurrection of Dead Son ........................................................................I Kings 17:20-24

Prayer for Divine Honor ...........................................................................................I Kings 18:16-41

Prayer and Perseverance ............................................................................................I Kings 18:45

Prayer for Death .......................................................................................................I Kings 19

II Kings

Prayer for a Dead Child ............................................................................................II Kings 4:32-37

Prayer for Vision .......................................................................................................II Kings 6:13-17

Prayer for Deliverance from Defiant Foes ................................................................II Kings 19

Prayer for Longer Life ..............................................................................................II Kings 20:1-11

I Chronicles

Prayer for Spiritual Prosperity ..................................................................................I Chron. 4:9, 10

Prayer As Trust .........................................................................................................I Chron. 5:20

Prayer of Fear ............................................................................................................I Chron. 13:12

Prayer for Establishment of Covenant ......................................................................I Chron. 17:16-27

Prayer Answered by Fire ...........................................................................................I Chron. 21

Prayer as a Sentinel ...................................................................................................I Chron. 23:30

Prayer and Giving .....................................................................................................I Chron. 29:10-19

II Chronicles

Prayer in National Danger ........................................................................................II Chron. 14:11

Prayer and Reform ....................................................................................................II Chron. 15

Prayer and Appeal to History ...................................................................................II Chron. 20:3-13

Prayer of Penitence ...................................................................................................II Chron. 33:13

Ezra

Prayer of Thanksgiving .............................................................................................Ezra 7:27, 28

Prayer and Fasting ....................................................................................................Ezra 8:21-23

Prayer and Confession ..............................................................................................Ezra 9:5-10:4

Nehemiah

Prayer Born of Distress .............................................................................................Neh. 1:4-11

Prayer in a Tight Corner ..........................................................................................Neh. 2:4

Prayer for Deliverance from Reproach ......................................................................Neh. 4:1-6

Prayer Triumphing Over Anger ................................................................................Neh. 4:7-9

Prayer and Restitution ..............................................................................................Neh. 5

Prayer against Craft ..................................................................................................Neh. 6:9-14

Prayer and the Word .................................................................................................Neh. 8:1-13

Prayer and God’s Goodness ......................................................................................Neh. 9

Prayer for Remembrance ...........................................................................................Neh. 13:14, 22, 29, 31

Job

Prayer of Resignation ................................................................................................Job 1:20-22

Prayer for Pity ...........................................................................................................Job 6:8, 9; 7:17-21

Prayer for Justification ..............................................................................................Job 9

Prayer, Job’s Against Injustice ...................................................................................Job 10

Prayer for Light on Immortality ...............................................................................Job 14:13-22

Prayer and Profit .......................................................................................................Job 21:14-34

Prayer and Reason ....................................................................................................Job 23

Prayer Answered by Whirlwind ................................................................................Job 38

Prayer As Confession ................................................................................................Job 40:3-5; 42:1-6

Prayer As Intercession ...............................................................................................Job 42:7-10

The Psalms

Prayer Born of Rebellion ..........................................................................................Ps. 3

Prayer of Holiness .....................................................................................................Ps. 4

Prayer As a Morning Watch .....................................................................................Ps. 5

Prayer for Divine Action ...........................................................................................Ps. 7

Prayer of Praise for Divine Action ............................................................................Ps. 8

Prayer for Preservation Here and Hereafter ..............................................................Ps. 16

Prayer of the Cross ...................................................................................................Ps. 22

Prayer for Shepherd Care..........................................................................................Ps. 23

Prayer for the Manifestation of Divine Glory ...........................................................Ps. 24

Prayer as Ascent to God ...........................................................................................Ps. 25

Prayer of a Believing Heart .......................................................................................Ps. 27

Prayer As a Cameo of Christ ....................................................................................Ps. 31

Prayer of a Tragic Soul ..............................................................................................Ps. 32

Prayer for Protection against Enemies ..........................................................................Ps. 35

Prayer in Praise of Loving-kindness ..............................................................................Ps. 36

Prayer of a Pilgrim ........................................................................................................Ps. 39

Prayer and Its Accomplishment ....................................................................................Ps. 40

Prayer in Deep Distress .................................................................................................Ps. 41

Prayer As a Door of Hope ............................................................................................Pss. 42, 43

Prayer for Divine Assistance .........................................................................................Ps. 44

Prayer for a Refuge ........................................................................................................Ps. 46

Prayer of a Broken Heart ..............................................................................................Ps. 51

Prayer at All Times .......................................................................................................Ps. 55

Prayer of Distress ..........................................................................................................Ps. 57

Prayer of Trust ...............................................................................................................Ps. 71

Prayer for God Himself .................................................................................................Ps. 73

Prayer of a Pilgrim ........................................................................................................Pss. 90, 91

Prayer As Praise for God’s Greatness ............................................................................Ps. 96

Prayer for Escape from Trials ........................................................................................Pss. 102, 103, 105

Prayer of Remembrance ................................................................................................Ps. 106

Prayer for Those in Perils on Sea ..................................................................................Ps. 107

Prayer and Affinity to Scripture ....................................................................................Pss. 19, 119

Prayer for Searching of Heart .......................................................................................Ps. 139

Isaiah

Prayer God Does Not Hear ..........................................................................................Isa. 1:15; 16:12

Prayer and Cleansing .....................................................................................................Isa. 6

Prayer for a Sign ............................................................................................................Isa. 7:11

Prayer of Exaltation .......................................................................................................Isa. 12

Prayer of Praise for Triumphs ........................................................................................Isa. 25

Prayer for Peace .............................................................................................................Isa. 26

Prayer and Confidence ..................................................................................................Isa. 41

Prayer and Practice ........................................................................................................Isa. 55

Prayer Unpopular to Many ............................................................................................Isa. 59

Prayer — Watcher .........................................................................................................Isa. 62

Prayer for Display of Divine Power ...............................................................................Isa. 63, 64

Jeremiah

Prayer As Confession of Inability .................................................................................Jer. 1

Prayer As Mourning for Backsliding ............................................................................Jer. 2, 3

Prayer As Complaint .....................................................................................................Jer. 4:10-31

Prayer of Lament over Rebellion...................................................................................Jer. 5

Prayer from a Prison .....................................................................................................Jer. 6

Prayer Forbidden ...........................................................................................................Jer. 7:16

Prayer for Justice ...........................................................................................................Jer. 10:23-25

Prayer of Perplexity .......................................................................................................Jer. 12:1-4

Prayer for Relief from Sin and Drought .......................................................................Jer. 14:7-22

Prayer for Divine Vengeance .........................................................................................Jer. 15:15-21

Prayer for Confusion of Enemies ..................................................................................Jer. 16:19-21, 17:13-18

Prayer for Overthrow of Evil Counsel ..........................................................................Jer. 18:18-23

Prayer of a Despairing Heart ........................................................................................Jer. 20:7-13

Prayer of Gratitude for Divine Goodness ......................................................................Jer. 32:16-25

Prayer for a Believing Remnant ....................................................................................Jer. 42

Lamentations

Prayer of Pain ................................................................................................................Lam. 1:20-22

Prayer for Pity ...............................................................................................................Lam. 2:19-22

Prayer As Complaint .....................................................................................................Lam. 3.147

Prayer for the Oppressed ...............................................................................................Lam. 5

Ezekiel

Prayer As Protest ...........................................................................................................Ezek. 4:14

Prayer for Preservation of Residue ................................................................................Ezek. 9:8-11

Prayer Sanctuary ............................................................................................................Ezek. 11:13-16

Daniel

Prayer for Interpretation ................................................................................................Dan. 2:17, 18

Prayer in Defiance of Decree ........................................................................................Dan. 6:10-15

Prayer of Confession .....................................................................................................Dan. 9

Prayer and Its Spiritual Results .....................................................................................Dan. 10

Prayer for Light on One’s End ......................................................................................Dan. 12:8-13

Joel

Prayer in Emergency .....................................................................................................Joel 1:19, 20

Prayer and Weeping ......................................................................................................Joel 2:17

Amos

Prayer for Respite and Forgiveness, ...............................................................................Amos 7:1-9

Jonah

Prayer of Heathen Sailors..............................................................................................Jonah 1:14-16

Prayer Out of Hell ........................................................................................................Jonah 2

Prayer of a Repentant City ............................................................................................Jonah 3

Prayer of a Displeased Prophet .....................................................................................Jonah 4 

Habakkuk

Prayer of Complaint and Vindication ...........................................................................Hab. 1:1-4, 12-17

Prayer of Faith ...............................................................................................................Hab. 3

Malachi

Prayer — Protest One ...................................................................................................Mal. 1:2

Prayer — Protest Two ...................................................................................................Mal. 1:6

Prayer — Protest Three .................................................................................................Mal. 1:7, 13

Prayer — Protest Four ...................................................................................................Mal. 2:17

Prayer — Protest Five....................................................................................................Mal. 3:17

Prayer - Protest Six .......................................................................................................Mal. 3:8

Prayer As Practiced by Christ

Prayer at His baptism .................................................................................................................Luke 3: 21-22

Prayer after a crowded day .........................................................................................................Luke 4:42; Mark 1:35

Prayer as an escape from popularity ...........................................................................................Luke 5:15-16

Prayer after a trying day .............................................................................................................Mark 6:30-31

Prayer with His own...................................................................................................................Luke 9:18-31

Prayer on the mount ...................................................................................................................Luke 9:29

Prayer after success ......................................................................................................................Luke 10:21

Prayer as a habit .........................................................................................................................Luke 11:1

Prayer at a grave .........................................................................................................................John 11:41-42

Prayer on a mountain .................................................................................................................Mark 6:46

Prayer of anguish ........................................................................................................................John 12:27-28

Prayer for a backsliding disciple .................................................................................................Luke 22:31-32

Prayer of the Great High Priest .................................................................................................John Ch. 17

Prayer in Gethsemane ................................................................................................................Lu 22:39-46; Matt 26:36-46: Jo 18:1

Prayer from the cross ..................................................................................................................Luke 23:34-46

Matthew

Prayer and the Necessity of Forgiveness ........................................................................Matt. 5:22-26; 6:12, 14, 15

Prayer and Hypocrisy ....................................................................................................Matt. 6:5-7; Luke 11:1-4

Prayer As Taught by Christ ...........................................................................................Matt. 6:8-13

Prayer As Specified by Christ .......................................................................................Matt. 7:7-11

Prayer of a Leper ...........................................................................................................Matt. 8:1-4

Prayer of the Centurion .................................................................................................Matt. 8:5-13

Prayer in Peril ................................................................................................................Matt. 8:23-27

Prayer of Maniacs ..........................................................................................................Matt. 8:28-34

Prayer of Jairus ..............................................................................................................Matt. 9:18, 19

Prayer of the Diseased Woman .....................................................................................Matt. 9:20-22

Prayer of Two Blind Men ..............................................................................................Matt. 9:27-31

Prayer for Laborers ........................................................................................................Matt. 9:37-39

Prayer of Christ’s Gratitude to God ..............................................................................Matt. 11:25-27

Prayer on a Mountain....................................................................................................Matt. 14:23

Prayer of Peter in Distress .............................................................................................Matt. 14:28-30

Prayer of Syro-Phoenician Woman ...............................................................................Matt. 15:21-28

Prayer for a Lunatic Son ...............................................................................................Matt. 17:14-21

Prayer in Unity ..............................................................................................................Matt. 18:19, 20

Prayer in a Parable .........................................................................................................Matt. 18:23-35

Prayer for a Privileged Position .....................................................................................Matt. 20:20-28

Prayer for Healing of Blindness ....................................................................................Matt. 20:29-34

Prayer of Faith ...............................................................................................................Matt. 21:18-22

Prayer of Pretense ..........................................................................................................Matt. 23: 14, 25

Prayer of Accountability ................................................................................................Matt. 25:20, 22, 24

Prayer of a Resigned Will .............................................................................................Matt. 26:26, 36-46

Prayer at Calvary ...........................................................................................................Matt. 27:46, 50

Mark

Prayer of a Demon ........................................................................................................Mark 1:23-28, 32-34

Prayer — Habits of Christ ............................................................................................Mark 1:35; 6:41, 46

Prayer for the Deaf and Dumb .....................................................................................Mark 7:31-37

Prayer and Fasting .........................................................................................................Mark 2:18; 9:29

Prayer of the Young Ruler .............................................................................................Mark 10:17-22

Luke

Prayer of Zecharias ........................................................................................................Luke 1:8, 13; 67-80

Prayer As a Magnificat ..................................................................................................Luke 1:46-55

Prayer As Adoration ......................................................................................................Luke 2:10-20; 25-38

Prayer at the Portal of Service .......................................................................................Luke 3:21, 22

Prayer As Escape from Popularity ................................................................................Luke 5:16

Prayer and the Twelve ...................................................................................................Luke 6:12, 13, 20, 28

Prayer and Transfiguration ............................................................................................Luke 9:28, 29

Prayer in Parable Form ..................................................................................................Luke 11:5-13

Prayer of the Prodigal ....................................................................................................Luke 15:11-24, 29, 30

Prayer out of Hell ..........................................................................................................Luke 16:22-31

Prayer of Ten Lepers .....................................................................................................Luke 17:12-19

Prayer in Parable Form ..................................................................................................Luke 18:1-8

Prayer of Pharisee and Publican ....................................................................................Luke 18:9-14

Prayer for Peter’s Preservation .......................................................................................Luke 22:31, 32

Prayer of Agony .............................................................................................................Luke 22:39-46

Prayer and the Risen Lord ............................................................................................Luke 24:30, 50-53

John

Prayer for the Spirit .......................................................................................................John 4:9, 15, 19, 28; 7:37-39; 14:16

Prayer of a Nobleman ....................................................................................................John 4:46-54

Prayer for the Bread of Life ..........................................................................................John 6:34

Prayer for Confirmation ................................................................................................John 11:40-42

Prayer with a Double Aspect .........................................................................................John 12:27, 28

Prayer As a Privilege .....................................................................................................John 14:13-15; 15:16; 16:23-26

Prayer of All Prayers ......................................................................................................John 17.226

Acts

Prayer in the Upper Chamber .......................................................................................Acts 1:13, 14

Prayer for a Successor ....................................................................................................Acts 1:15-26

Prayer and Worship .......................................................................................................Acts 2:42-47

Prayer As an Observance ..............................................................................................Acts 3:1

Prayer for Boldness of Witness .....................................................................................Acts 4:23-31

Prayer and the Ministry of the Word ............................................................................Acts 6:4-7

Prayer of the First Martyr .............................................................................................Acts 7:55-60

Prayer for Samaritans and a Sorcerer ............................................................................Acts 8:9-25

Prayer of a Convert .......................................................................................................Acts 9:5, 6, 11

Prayer for Dorcas, ..........................................................................................................Acts 9:36-43

Prayer of Cornelius ........................................................................................................Acts 10:2-4,9, 31

Prayer for Peter in Prison ..............................................................................................Acts 12:5, 12-17

Prayer of Ordination .....................................................................................................Acts 13:2, 3, 43

Prayer with Fasting ........................................................................................................Acts 13:2, 3; 14:15, 23, 26

Prayer at the Riverside ...................................................................................................Acts 16:13, 16

Prayer in a Dungeon .....................................................................................................Acts 16:25, 34

Prayer of Committal ......................................................................................................Acts 20:36

Prayer in a Shipwreck ....................................................................................................Acts 27:33, 35

Prayer for the Fever-Stricken ........................................................................................Acts 28:8, 15, 28

Romans

Prayer for a Prosperous Journey ....................................................................................Rom. 1:8-15

Prayer Inspired by the Spirit .........................................................................................Rom. 8:15, 23, 26, 27

Prayer for Israel’s Sake ...................................................................................................Rom. 10:1; 11:26

Prayer As a Continuing .................................................................................................Ministry; Rom. 12:12Prayer for Like-Mindedness..........................................................................................Rom. 15:5,6, 30-33

Prayer for Satan’s Conquest ...........................................................................................Rom. 16:20, 24-27 

II Corinthians

Prayer as a Benediction .................................................................................................II Cor. 1:2-4

Prayer for Removal of Thorn, ........................................................................................II Cor. 12:7-10

Ephesians

Prayer and the Believer’s Position..................................................................................Eph. 1:1-11

Prayer for Perception and Power ...................................................................................Eph. 1:15-20

Prayer As Access to God ...............................................................................................Eph. 2:18; 3:12

Prayer for Inner Fullness ................................................................................................Eph. 3:13-21

Prayer and Inner Melody ..............................................................................................Eph. 5:19, 20

Prayer As a Warrior’s Reserve .......................................................................................Eph. 6:18, 19

Philippians

Prayer As a Request for Joy ...........................................................................................Phil. 1:2-7

Prayer and Peace of Mind .............................................................................................Phil. 4:6, 7, 19-23

Colossians

Prayer As Praise for Loyalty ..........................................................................................Col. 1:1-8

Prayer for a Sevenfold Blessing....................................................................................Col. 1:9-14

Prayer Fellowship ..........................................................................................................Col. 4:2-4, 12, 17

I Thessalonians

Prayer of Remembrance ................................................................................................I Thess. 1:1-3

Prayer for a Return Visit ...............................................................................................I Thess. 3:9-13

Prayer, Praise and Perfection .........................................................................................I Thess. 5:17, 18, 23, 24, 28

II Thessalonians

Prayer for Worthiness of Calling ...................................................................................II Thess. 1:3, 11, 12

Prayer for Comfort and Stability ...................................................................................II Thess. 2:13, 16, 17

Prayer for the Word and Protection ..............................................................................II Thess. 3:1-5. .257

II Timothy

Prayer for Timothy’s Ministry, ......................................................................................II Tim. 1:2-7

Prayer for the House of Onesiphorus............................................................................II Tim. 1:6-18

Prayer for False Friends .................................................................................................II Tim. 4:14-18

Hebrews

Prayer As Praise for Creation ........................................................................................Heb. 1:10-12

Prayer for Mercy and Favor ...........................................................................................Heb. 4:16

Prayer and Ministry of Christ .......................................................................................Heb. 5:7, 8; 7:24, 25

Prayer for the Outworking of God’s Will .....................................................................Heb. 12:9, 12, 15

Prayer for Perfectness ....................................................................................................Heb. 13:20, 21

James

Prayer for Wisdom ........................................................................................................Jas. 1:5-8, 17

Prayer That Misses the Target.......................................................................................Jas. 4:2, 3

Prayer That Prevails ......................................................................................................Jas. 5:13-18

I Peter

Prayer of Gratitude for Inheritance ...............................................................................I Pet. 1:3, 4

Prayer in the Married State ...........................................................................................I Pet. 3:7-12

Prayer-Watch .................................................................................................................I Pet. 4:7

Prayer for Christian Stability ........................................................................................I Pet. 5:10, 11

II Peter

Prayer for Multiplication of Grace and Peace ...............................................................II Peter 1:2

Revelation

Prayer As Praise to the Lamb for Redemption .............................................................Rev. 5:9

Prayer As Golden Incense .............................................................................................Rev. 5:8, 8:3

Prayer of the Martyred Host .........................................................................................Rev. 6:10

Prayer of the Gentile Host ............................................................................................Rev. 7:9-12

Prayer of the Elders .......................................................................................................Rev. 11:15-19

Prayer of Moses .............................................................................................................Rev. 15:3, 4

Prayer of the Glorified Saints ........................................................................................Rev. 19:1-10 Prayers Ending the Bible...............................................................................................Rev. 22:17, 20

[From Herbert Lockyer’s All The Prayers Of The Bible]