Prayers In The Bible (by Books – OT)


OLD TESTAMENT (39 Books)

1. Genesis — Foundational Prayers of the Patriarchs

Abraham intercedes for Sodom; Hagar cries to God; Jacob wrestles and prays for blessing; Isaac and Jacob pray for guidance.

2. Exodus — Moses’ Intercessions

Moses prays for deliverance, complains, intercedes for Israel after the golden calf, and pleads, “Show me Your glory.”

3. Leviticus — Priestly Blessing & Ritual Prayers

The Aaronic blessing (Num 6 formula used here); priests offer prayers during sacrifices.

4. Numbers — Moses & Aaron Intercede

Moses prays repeatedly for mercy; Aaron stops a plague with intercessory atonement; people cry out in fear.

5. Deuteronomy — Moses’ Final Prayer & Blessing

Moses blesses the tribes and prays a farewell prayer before death.


6. Joshua — Leadership Prayer

Joshua prays after the defeat at Ai, seeking explanation and guidance.

7. Judges — Prayers for Deliverance

Israel cries out for rescue; Gideon prays for confirmation; Samson prays for strength.

8. Ruth — Blessing Prayers

Boaz blesses Ruth; Naomi blesses her daughters-in-law; God answers with providence.

9. 1 Samuel — The Prayer Book of Hannah & Samuel

Hannah’s prayer of petition and praise; Samuel prays for Israel and against enemies.

10. 2 Samuel — David’s Prayers

David’s thanksgiving prayer (2 Sam 7), lament for Saul/Jonathan, repentance in sin with Bathsheba (parallel: Ps 51).


11. 1 Kings — Solomon’s Temple Prayer

Solomon’s great dedicatory prayer; Elijah prays for fire on Mount Carmel; many kingly prayers/pleas.

12. 2 Kings — Prophetic Prayer Power

Elisha prays often (eyes opened, child raised); Hezekiah prays for deliverance and healing.


13. 1 Chronicles — David’s Prayers of Worship

David’s prayer for offering and temple dedication; calls to seek God.

14. 2 Chronicles — National Prayers

Solomon’s prayer repeated; kings pray in crisis; God responds to repentance (2 Chron 7:14).


15. Ezra — Confession Prayer

Ezra’s great prayer of repentance for intermarriage (ch. 9–10).

16. Nehemiah — Leadership Prayer Diary

Nehemiah’s fast, confession, city-building prayers, and reform prayers.

17. Esther — Fasting & Deliverance Prayers

Esther and Israel fast (implied prayer) before approaching the king.


18. Job — Prayers of Lament & Vindication

Job’s cries, laments, and appeals to God; his intercession for friends at the end.

19. Psalms — The Prayer Book of the Bible

150 prayers of praise, lament, faith, repentance, warfare, thanksgiving.

20. Proverbs — Wisdom Prayers

Agur’s prayer for truth and contentment (Prov 30).

21. Ecclesiastes — Reflections to God

Prayers implied in seeking meaning; final call to fear God.

22. Song of Solomon — Love as Prayerful Dialogue

Implicit covenant devotion; no formal prayers.


23. Isaiah — Prayers of Intercession & Worship

Isaiah’s prayer in the temple vision; Hezekiah’s prayers for deliverance; prophetic pleas.

24. Jeremiah — The Weeping Prophet’s Prayers

Confessions, laments, and intercessions for rebellious Israel.

25. Lamentations — Prayers of Sorrow & Hope

Five poetic prayers of lament; appeals for mercy after the fall.

26. Ezekiel — Prophetic Dialogues with God

Ezekiel speaks and prays in visions; symbolic intercessions.

27. Daniel — Confession & Deliverance Prayers

Daniel’s great prayer of repentance (ch. 9); prayers in the lions’ den; constant devotion.


Minor Prophets (28–39)

28. Hosea — Prayers of Return

Call to “return to the Lord” with words of repentance.

29. Joel — Prayer During Crisis

“Call a sacred assembly”; prayer for mercy; promise of Spirit-filled prayer.

30. Amos — Intercession for Israel

Amos prays for Israel, and God relents from judgment twice.

31. Obadiah

No recorded prayer.

32. Jonah — Prayer from the Fish

Jonah prays from the belly of the fish — a psalm-like prayer.

33. Micah — Prayer for Forgiveness

Micah prays, “Who is a God like You who pardons sin?”

34. Nahum

No formal prayer; implicit trust.

35. Habakkuk — Prayer of Faith

Habakkuk’s prayer (ch. 3) is a profound hymn of trust.

36. Zephaniah

Implicit calls to seek God.

37. Haggai

No recorded prayers.

38. Zechariah — Prophetic Intercession

Angelic-intercessory prayer on Israel’s behalf.

39. Malachi

Dialogue-prayers between God and the people.