How Many Prayers are in the Bible?
Quick Summary
There are over 650 prayers in the Bible, depending on how one defines a "prayer." These include direct conversations with God, blessings, intercessions, laments, and songs offered as prayer. From Genesis to Revelation, prayer is a central thread in the biblical narrative, shaping the lives of individuals and entire communities. Some scholars count around 222 actual prayers and more than 175 references to prayer, while others identify hundreds more in poetic and prophetic literature.
Introduction
Prayer in the Bible is not confined to one form, one style, or one kind of moment. It is as varied as the people who pray: kings and prophets, women and children, prisoners and worshipers. Some prayers are desperate cries for help. Others are majestic declarations of praise. Some are whispered. Some shouted. Some scripted. Others spontaneous. And together, they form a sacred mosaic of human voices reaching out to God.
But how many prayers are in the Bible? And what kinds of prayers are included? This post explores those questions while introducing major categories and famous examples.
Defining "Prayer" in the Bible
Before tallying up the total, we need to define what counts as a prayer. Are we only counting:
Formal, direct addresses to God?
Silent prayers?
Prayers quoted within songs?
Blessings or curses that are directed toward God?
Because the Bible includes various genres—history, poetry, prophecy, and narrative—it’s not always clear-cut. Many psalms are both songs and prayers. Some laments are voiced as monologues but clearly intended as prayer. Other prayers are simply referenced without full text (e.g., "Isaac prayed to the Lord" in Genesis 25:21).
Common Estimates
Depending on the criteria, here are common scholarly estimates:
Prayer references: 650+
Named individuals praying: Over 100
Direct prayers recorded: Around 222 (Nave’s Topical Bible)
Psalms as prayers: 80+ of the 150 Psalms are classified as prayers
Jesus’ prayers in the Gospels: At least 25 distinct prayer events
New Testament prayers: Over 85
Categories of Prayer in the Bible
Let’s explore the types of prayers found throughout Scripture:
1. Prayers of Petition
Requests made to God. Examples include:
Hannah asking for a child (1 Samuel 1:10–11)
Solomon asking for wisdom (1 Kings 3:6–9)
Jesus in Gethsemane (Luke 22:42)
2. Prayers of Praise and Thanksgiving
These celebrate God’s goodness:
Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55)
Psalms 8, 19, 103, and many others
The song of Moses (Exodus 15:1–18)
3. Prayers of Lament
Cries of sorrow or protest:
Psalm 13: "How long, O Lord?"
Lamentations 5
Habakkuk 1:2–4
4. Intercessory Prayers
Praying on behalf of others:
Abraham pleading for Sodom (Genesis 18:22–33)
Moses interceding for Israel (Exodus 32:11–14)
Paul praying for churches (Ephesians 1:15–23)
5. Confessional Prayers
Acknowledging sin and seeking forgiveness:
David in Psalm 51
Ezra’s prayer in Ezra 9
Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9:3–19
6. Imprecatory Prayers
Asking for God’s justice or judgment:
Psalms 69, 109
Jeremiah’s laments and pleas for justice
7. Prayers of Dedication or Covenant
Jacob at Bethel (Genesis 28:20–22)
Solomon dedicating the Temple (1 Kings 8)
Jesus entrusting himself to the Father (Luke 23:46)
Where Do These Prayers Appear?
Here’s a very rough breakdown:
Genesis – Deuteronomy: Around 30 prayers
Historical Books (Joshua–Esther): About 50–60
Psalms: At least 80 direct prayers
Wisdom Literature (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes): A dozen or more
Major and Minor Prophets: 40+ prayers, including prophetic laments
Gospels: 25+ prayers from Jesus and others
Acts: 25+ prayer moments
Pauline Epistles: Dozens of prayer reports and prayers written out
Revelation: Several heavenly prayers and worship songs
The Longest Prayers in the Bible
Nehemiah 9: A national confession and retelling of Israel’s history
1 Kings 8: Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the Temple
John 17: Jesus’ high priestly prayer for his disciples
The Shortest Prayers in the Bible
Peter’s cry: "Lord, save me!" (Matthew 14:30)
Jesus on the cross: "Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:34)
Nehemiah’s quick prayer: "Then I prayed to the God of heaven" (Nehemiah 2:4)
What This Teaches About Prayer
The Bible’s many prayers teach us that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. God listens to:
The long and the short
The joyful and the sorrowful
The desperate and the disciplined
The poetic and the plain
Prayer is not about the right words, but the right direction: toward God.
FAQ Section
Q: How many prayers are in the Bible?
A: Depending on how you count, there are over 650 references to prayer, with around 222 fully recorded prayers.
Q: Who prayed the most in the Bible?
A: David is the most frequent pray-er. Many of the Psalms are his prayers. Jesus also prayed often, especially in the Gospels.
Q: Are all Psalms prayers?
A: No. While many Psalms are prayers, others are praises, wisdom sayings, or royal declarations. Around 80–90 are considered prayers.
Q: What’s the first prayer in the Bible?
A: Genesis 4:26 says, “People began to call on the name of the Lord.” Abraham’s dialogues with God are also early examples.
Q: What’s the last prayer in the Bible?
A: Revelation 22:20: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”
