30 Bible Verses about Prayer, Persistence In

([Psalm of David]) I waited patiently for Jehovah and he bent down to me and heard my cry.

([Sons of Korah]) O Jehovah, God of my salvation I cry out to you day and night.

Search for Jehovah and his strength. Always seek his presence.

I will call on him as long as I live because he turns his ear toward me (listens to me).

He spoke an illustration to them emphasizing the need to pray and not become tired: There was a judge in a city that did not fear God and had no respect for man. There was a widow in that same city. She went to him asking for legal protection from her adversary.read more.
At first he refused. Then he thought about it and he said to himself, I do not fear God and have little respect for man. However this widow bothers me. For this reason I will avenge her. If she keeps coming to me she will wear me out. The Lord continued: Pay attention to what the unrighteous judge said. Should God avenge his chosen that cry to him day and night, and yet he is longsuffering over them? I say to you, that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, will the Son of man find faith on the earth when he comes?

He also said: Which of you have a friend you would approach at midnight and say lend me three loaves. This is because a friend of mine is visiting and I do not have any food to feed him. You hear a voice from the house say, 'The door is shut, my children are in bed, do not bother me. I cannot rise and help you.'read more.
I tell you even if he will not rise and give you what you need because he is your friend, he will arise and give you what you need because you keep asking. I say to you: Ask and it will be given you. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened to you. Every one who asks receives. Everyone who seeks will find. It will be opened to everyone who knocks.

They all continued united in earnest prayer. The women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers were also there.

They continued devoting themselves to doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

With prayer and supplication pray at all times in the Spirit. Watch with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones.

Rejoice in hope! Be patient in tribulation. Continue in prayer.

Pray without ceasing.

Abraham came near and said: Will you destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city. Would you also destroy the place and not spare it because the righteous people are there? Surely you would not do that! Would you slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked? Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?read more.
Jehovah said: If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, I will spare the entire place for their sakes. Then Abraham answered and said: Indeed now, I who am only dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to Jehovah: Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous. Would you destroy the entire city for lack of five? So He (God) said: If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it. Abraham spoke again: Suppose there should be forty found there? God replied: I will not do it for the sake of forty. Abraham then said: Do not be angry, and let me speak. Suppose thirty should be found there? God replied: I will not do it if I find thirty there. Abraham then said: Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to Jehovah: Suppose twenty should be found there? God replied: I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty. Abraham again queried: Please do not be angry as I speak once more: Suppose ten should be found there? God said: I will not destroy it for the sake of ten. Jehovah went his way as soon as he finished speaking with Abraham. Abraham returned to his place.

Then Jacob was by himself. A man was fighting with him till dawn. The man saw that he was not able to overcome Jacob. He gave him a blow in the hollow part of his thigh, so that his leg was damaged. He said to him: Let me go now, for the dawn is near. But Jacob said: I will not let you go till you have given me your blessing.read more.
Then he asked: What is your name? And he said, Jacob. The man said: Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel (He Struggles With God), because you have struggled with God and with men and you have won. Jacob said: Please tell me your name. The man answered: Why do you ask for my name? Then he blessed Jacob there. Jacob named that place Peniel (Face of God), because he said: I have seen God face to face, yet my life was saved. The sun rose as he passed Penuel. He was limping because of his thigh. Therefore, even today the people of Israel do not eat the muscle of the thigh (the sinew) attached to the hip socket. This is because God touched the socket of Jacob's thigh at the muscle.

So I fell down prostrate before Jehovah the forty days and forty nights. I did this because Jehovah said he would destroy you. I prayed to Jehovah and said: 'O Jehovah our God, do not destroy your people for they are your inheritance. You have redeemed them through your greatness. You brought them out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Remember your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Do not look at the stubbornness of this people or at their wickedness or their sin.read more.
The land from which you brought us may say: Jehovah was not able to bring them into the land he promised them and because he hated them he has brought them out to slay them in the desert wilderness. Even now they are your people, your inheritance, whom you brought out by your great power and outstretched arm.

So Moses went back to Jehovah and said: These people have committed such a serious sin! They made a god out of gold for themselves. Will you forgive their sin? If not, please wipe me out of the book you have written.

Hannah was filled with grief and wept bitterly. She prayed and pledged an oath to Jehovah: O Jehovah of Hosts: If you will truly notice the sorrow of your servant. Remember me. Do not turn away from me. If you will give me a son, then I will give him to you, Jehovah, all the days of his life. His hair will never be cut.

Elijah was a man of like passions with us. He prayed fervently that it might not rain; and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. He prayed again; and the sky gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

Then at the time of the offering, Elijah the prophet came near and said, Jehovah, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be seen this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things by your order. Give me an answer, O Jehovah. Give me an answer so that this people may see that you are God. That you have made their hearts come back again. Then the fire of Jehovah came down. It burned up the offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and drinking up the water in the drain.read more.
When the people saw it, they all went down on their faces. They said: Jehovah is God! Jehovah is God! Elijah said to them: Take the prophets of Baal. Do not let one of them get away. So they took them, and Elijah made them go down to the stream Kishon, and executed them there. Then Elijah said to Ahab: Get up and take food and drink, for there is a sound of much rain. So Ahab went up to have food and drink. Elijah went up to the top of Carmel. He bowed down to the earth and put his face between his knees. He told his servant to look in the direction of the sea. After he looked the servant said: There is nothing. Elijah said: Go again seven times. So he went seven times. The seventh time he said: I see a cloud coming up out of the sea, as small as a man's hand. Then Elijah said: Go up and say to Ahab, Get your carriage ready and go down or the rain will keep you back.

([Sons of Korah]) O Jehovah, God of my salvation I cry out to you day and night. Let my prayer come before your presence. Turn your ear to hear my cries. I am filled with troubles, and my life comes closer to the grave.read more.
I am numbered with those who go into the pit. I am like a man without any strength. I am abandoned with the dead, like those who have been killed and lie in graves. I am like those whom you no longer remember, who are cut off from your hand (power) (care). You have put me in the bottom of the pit, in deep dark places. Your rage lies heavily on me. You afflict me with all your waves. You have taken my friends far away from me. You made me disgusting to them. I am shut in, and I cannot get out. My eyes grow weak because of my suffering. All day long I call out to you, O Jehovah. I stretch out my hands to you in prayer. Will you perform miracles for those who are dead? Will the dead rise and give thanks to you? Will anyone tell about your loving kindness in the grave or about your faithfulness after they parish? Will anyone know about your miracles in that dark place or about your righteousness (mercy) in the place of destruction? I cry out to you for help, O Jehovah, and in the morning my prayer will come before you. Why do you reject me, O Jehovah? Why do you hide your face from me (turn from me)? Ever since I was young, I have been suffering and near death. I have endured your terrors, and now I am in despair. Your burning anger has swept over me. Your terrors have destroyed me. They swirl around me all day long like water. They surround me on all sides. You have taken my loved ones and friends far away from me. Darkness is my only friend!

I rise before dawn and cry for help. I wait for your words. My eyes anticipate the night watches that I may meditate on your word. Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, O Jehovah, according to your ordinances.

Out of the depths of despair I have cried to you, O Jehovah. Jehovah, do hear my voice! Let your ears listen to the voice of my supplications. If You, Jehovah, should record our sins, O Jehovah, who could stand?read more.
But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be reverenced. I wait for Jehovah, I do wait. And in his word I do hope. I wait for Jehovah more than the watchmen for the morning. Yes, more than the watchmen for the morning.

He prayed: Father if it is your will remove this cup from me, nevertheless not my will, but your will be done. An angel came to him and gave him strength. (possible spurious text) He was in agony and earnestly prayed. His sweat became, as it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.

Jesus went with them to Gethsemane. He said to his disciples: Sit here while I go over there and pray. He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him. He was sorrowful and very troubled. He told them: My heart is deeply grieved to the point of death. Stay with me and watch.read more.
Then he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed: My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will. When he came to the disciples, they were sleeping. He said to Peter: Could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray continually that you do not enter into temptation! A second time he went away and prayed, saying: Father, if this cannot pass away, except I drink it, your will be done. He returned to find them sleeping again, for their eyes were heavy.

They came to a place called Gethsemane. He said to his disciples: Sit here while I pray. He took Peter, James and John with him. He was very distressed and troubled. He said to them: I am very sorrowful to the point of death. Stay here with me and watch.read more.
He went forward a little ways and fell on the ground to pray. He prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass from him. He said: Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup from me. Even so not what I will, but what you will. He returned to find them sleeping. He said to Peter, Simon why do you sleep? Could you not watch for one hour? To avoid temptation watch and pray. The spirit truly is willing but the flesh is weak. Again he went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. He came and found them asleep again. They did not know what to say to him.

But as for me, I will look to Jehovah! I will wait for the God of my salvation! My God will hear me.

Hope (wait) (expect) (trust) in Jehovah and be strong. Let your heart be courageous. Yes, hope in Jehovah.

We wait for Jehovah for he is our help and our shield.

Surrender to Jehovah and wait patiently for him. Do not be preoccupied with an evildoer who succeeds in his way when he carries out his schemes.

I wait with hope for you, O Jehovah. You will answer, O Jehovah, my God.

Yes, Jehovah, walking in the way of your Laws, we wait for you. Your name and your fame are the desire of our hearts.