Today, we’ll explore 21 of the best praying Scriptures in the Bible to help us align our hearts with God’s heart. But first, let’s talk about the rationale for praying using Scripture.
It’s easy to fall into a habit of approaching God with our lists of needs while overlooking God’s primary purpose for prayer. God’s greatest desire is for a close relationship with each of his children. He wants us to pray so that we will grow closer to him and become more like him.
Prayer is meant to align our hearts with God’s heart.
How do we offer prayers that align our hearts with our heavenly Father’s heart of love? Praying God’s Word is a powerful way to align our hearts with God.
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Why Should We Pray Using Scriptures
Praying Scriptures helps us focus on God’s will and God’s desires for the world around us. Unlike prayers that are focused on our desires and hopes, we can rest assured that we are praying in accordance with God’s will when we pray using Scripture as our guide.
Additionally, praying the Scriptures strengthens us from the inside out. As we speak God’s Word over our lives and circumstances, God’s Word moves in our hearts, heals us, and restores us.
Praying the Scriptures also helps us rise above our emotions and stand on the firm foundation of God’s Word. God’s character never changes, and his Word never fails us.
Praying Scriptures in the Bible
Below, we’ll discuss what it might look like to pray the Scriptures. A good rule to remember is to give thanks for God’s promises within each verse, claim his truth over our lives, and ask him to work in our lives in accordance with his Word.
Let’s explore 21 Scriptures that can help us align our hearts with God’s heart, and let’s examine what it might look like to pray these Scriptures.
Matthew 7:7
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 NIV
Our heavenly Father wants us to ask him to meet our needs. There are times when we don’t receive God’s gifts because we fail to ask.
What need have you been hesitating to ask God to meet? Ask the Lord to meet this need and thank him for his desire to bless you with good gifts.
Psalm 146:5
“Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.” Psalm 146:5 NIV
God wants us to learn to put our hope in him. He wants us to seek him first when we need help.
Most of us turn to our intellect and problem-solving abilities when problems arise in our lives. Instead, God wants us to turn to him first in problematic situations.
We do this with a spirit of thanksgiving as we thank God for the promise that we are blessed when we make him our hope and our help.
Ecclesiastes 11:5
“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.” Ecclesiastes 11:5
This is a powerful Scripture to pray when we don’t understand God’s ways.
When God doesn’t seem to be answering our prayers according to our expectations, we can pray the words of this verse. This verse is a reminder that God calls us to trust him with the parts of our lives we don’t understand.
Jeremiah 29:13
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah offered God’s people hope during their difficult season of being exiled in Babylon. After promising them hope and a future, he promised that they would find God if they sought him wholeheartedly.
This is a promise for God’s children today, as well. We can pray this Scripture by thanking God that we will find him when we seek him with our whole hearts.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
The Apostle Paul offered the Thessalonian church three principles to help them thrive in life: Cultivate joy, pray nonstop, and give thanks in every situation. These three principles can help us live to the fullest, too.
This Scripture can guide our prayers by reminding us to express joy to the Lord in all situations, nudging us to be prayerful in all situations, and reminding us to give thanks at all times.
Matthew 3:2
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Matthew 3:2
Repentance is turning away from sin and turning toward God. In this verse, John the Baptist was calling his followers to change their ways and return to God.
This Scripture offers us the same admonition: God is calling us to turn away from sin and turn toward him daily.
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Confession is an important part of prayer, but it is easy to forget to confess our sins to God. This verse reminds to confess our sins to God, and he will forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness.
When we pray this Scripture, we can claim it as a promise, but it should also prompt us to action: the action of confessing our sins.
John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
Jesus’ words in John 10:10 are powerful words to pray when we sense we are under spiritual attack.
When trials and troubles come, we can remind ourselves that Jesus has overcome Satan, and he offers us abundant life.
We can use this praying Scripture to ask Jesus to restore what the enemy has destroyed in our lives and lead us into the abundance he promised.
1 John 5:14
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1 John 5:14
This Scripture is a prompt to thank God that he always hears us when we pray according to his will.
When we pray using Scripture as our guide, we can rest assured that God hears our prayers. He is working in unseen realms, and his work is always for our good and his glory.
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
God wants us to pray in every situation. This Scripture reminds us that the appropriate posture for prayer is an attitude of thanksgiving.
When we pray in this way, God replaces our worries with peace that passes understanding.
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
This verse was an admonition calling the Israelites to humble themselves, repent, and return to God.
This prayer was relevant in ancient Israel, and it is still relevant today. God is calling us to pray this prayer over our communities, our nation, and even our world.
God longs for his children to humble themselves, return to him, and repent. In response, he will hear, forgive, and heal.
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
This precious promise reminds us that when we are hurting deeply, the Lord is near. In these times, overwhelming emotions often make it feel as if God has abandoned us.
This Psalm teaches us that God will not abandon us in our distress; he is near when our hearts are broken.
Psalm 139:5
“You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:5
Do you feel fearful as you look to the future? This is the perfect prayer to align your heart with God’s heart.
Pray this Scripture and remind yourself that God goes before you and behind you. He has been where you are going, and his presence will go with you. Find peace in this promise.
1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
Our heavenly Father wants to carry our burdens. We can thank God for caring for us as we cast our worries onto him. He will hear our prayers, and he waits to replace our worries with peace.
Psalm 23:6
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6
God’s pursuit of his children is demonstrated countless times in Scripture. In David’s famous Psalm, he reminds us that God’s goodness and love pursue us.
Regardless of what you are facing today, thank God that his goodness and love pursue you. Use this Scripture to remind you to watch for God’s pursuant love and goodness.
Hebrews 6:19
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” Hebrews 6:19
Before Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, only priests were allowed to enter the Holy of Holies—the part of the temple where God’s presence dwelled.
When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple was suddenly torn in two.
Hebrews 6:19 reminds us that we have hope as an anchor to hold us firm in life’s storms. Our hope is not based on circumstances; it is living hope found in Jesus Christ.
Because of this hope, we can approach God directly and boldly—with no veil separating us from him.
1 Peter 1:3
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3
In this verse, Peter reminds us to praise God for his mercy. He has given us hope by raising Jesus from the dead.
Because of the resurrection, we can trust that God has redeemed us and will one day restore all of creation.
Isaiah 46:4
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you cry and will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4
We all face times when we need God to carry us. Pray this Scripture the next time you face uncertain circumstances, feel fearful about the future, or need the reminder that God is ready and waiting to rescue you.
Deuteronomy 31:8
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
God never leaves his children. Pray this Scripture when you need the reminder that God will never leave you or when you feel fearful and discouraged.
The Lord will use his Word to lift your head.
Isaiah 30:21
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Isaiah 30:21
God wants to guide his children. He guides us through circumstances, his Word, other believers, wisdom, and a deep sense of knowing what we need to do.
These sources of guidance are God’s way of saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Ask God to show you the way and thank him that he is eager to lead you. Then, be still and listen to what He is telling you!
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Do you need the reminder that God is with you and is ready to strengthen you? Pray this verse. God wants to uphold you with his righteous right hand, and he will carry you.
Are you looking for some tools and tips to boost your prayer life? If so, be sure to visit our Prayer Resources Library where you’ll find everything you need to become a powerful prayer warrior!
There is Power in Praying the Scriptures
Praying the Scriptures holds the power to transform our lives. By praying God’s Word, we align ourselves with his heart, pray for his will to be done in our lives, and anchor ourselves on timeless Truths.
The next time you don’t know how to pray regarding a situation you are facing, pray God’s Word. He will give you strength, power, and peace as you stand on what is true.
Praying the Scriptures will help you fix your eyes on Jesus instead of fixing your eyes on your troubling circumstances. Shifting your focus can radically transform your life.
