“There is nothing more profitable in which any human being can engage than to pray.” (Father John Hardon) Nothing more profitable and yet for so many of us, nothing more pushed to the bottom of the “To Do” list of life. Maybe if we had a better understanding of what prayer is…or should I say a simpler understanding, then maybe prayer would not be something we do when we have time, but rather something we make time to do. Today’s Bible quotes about prayer will explain what prayer is, why we should pray and how we should pray. In addition to the free printable Bible Quotes: Prayer in the Bible, I will also have some saints quotes about prayer.
Bible Quotes: Prayer in the Bible
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The simplest answer to the question, “What is prayer?” is Prayer is conversation with the invisible world of God.[note]Father John Hardon[/note] Father Hardon also states, “Faith is the condition for prayer.” So, simply, if you have faith, you can pray…if you can pray, you have faith. So no worries or excuses allowed.
We’ve answered “What,” now let’s answer “How.” There are traditionally four types of prayer: Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, Supplication. “Adoration” is adoring God simply because He is God–definitely one of the best types of prayers. “Contrition” is recognizing our sinfulness and “Thanksgiving” is obviously being thankful/grateful for the gifts from God. Finally we have “Supplication”–the asking prayer. I would guess this may be the more common of all the prayers.
Now, “Why?” The real purpose of prayer is to unite our will here on earth with His will in Heaven. Jesus and Mary give us the best example of uniting our will here on Earth with God’s heavenly will. When our Lady responded with “Be it done to me according to Thy Word,” she absolutely united her will with God’s. And when our Lord offered the humble prayer in the Garden of Olives, “Thy Will be done,” He absolutely united His will with His Father’s.
If we don’t how to pray or what to pray, begin with one of those two phrases and that will be enough.
And finally, “When?” Saint Paul exhorts us to “Pray without ceasing.”[note]1 Thessalonians 5:17[/note] How do we do that? Looking back at the four common types of prayer, our day may look like this:
As we wake up, the first words in our heart, “You are awesome Lord! This is the day You made and I will rejoice and be glad in it!”[note]Psalm 118:24[/note] (Adoration)
As we’re getting dressed for our day, “Help me to make this day about You. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to You.”[note]Psalm 19:14[/note] (Supplication)
At lunch, “Thank You Lord for…covering the heavens with the clouds, rain for the Earth and grass on the hills. Thank You for spreading snow like wool and frost like ashes and the breeze.[note]Psalm 147[/note] Thank You for creating me, my husband and children, my family and friends.[note]Psalm 139:13[/note] Thank You for loving me so much, You sent Your Son to die on the cross for me.[note]John 3:16[/note] (Thanksgiving)
Before bed at night, “Lord, please forgive me for…having a conceited attitude, counting myself better than others.[note]Philippians 2:3[/note] Forgive me for being quick to speak and anger but slow to listen.[note]Luke 21:19, James 1:19-20[/note] Forgive me for answering harshly.[note]Proverbs 15:1[/note] (Contrition)
And did you notice what I did there? I used God’s Word in my prayers. We’ll talk more about that later. But let me just say, there is power in praying God’s Word.
Here’s your free printable Bible Quotes Prayer in the Bible and Saints Quotes About Prayer. Print these out and tuck them into your Bible. Use them in your prayer time as a starting point or something to just sit and ponder.
A good article addressing the concerns that Catholics pray “vain repetitions” even though commanded not to in the Scriptures, Do Catholics Pray in Vain Repetitions?
Bible Quotes Resources
My large print Bible
(This is my go-to Bible. It’s large print and just feels nice in my hands.)
Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament
(I use this Bible when I’m looking for some more information about the text.)
The Catholic Bible Concordance for the Revised Standard Version
(You want to know where a word is in the Bible? This is the book for you!)
The Great Commentary of Cornelius A’ Lapide
(I use this commentary for more information as well.)
A Practical Commentary On Holy Scripture
(I like this commentary because it also has reflections and applications.)
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