Whether you have had a personal relationship with God for years or you are only beginning to discover who Jesus is, we all need guidance sometimes when it comes to prayers.
It’s often hard to find the words to pray, that’s why we put together this collection of short prayers. The following short prayers offer guiding words to use for praying over various topics including worry, anxiety, doubt, forgiveness, fear, and other areas of life where we need to ask for God’s help.
Please use these prayers and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you add some of your own words and personalize your petitions to God.
Short Prayer for Difficult Times
"I pray that despite the difficulty surrounding us that we can stand firm in our faith. I pray we can share the love of Jesus with all those around us and that the lies and the schemes of the enemy will not prevail.I lift the people who don’t know you, I pray you would bring people into their lives that can bring truth to their hearts and hope for their souls.Thank you for your peace, Lord and thank you that we can come to you and you meet us right where we are.
In your name we pray, Jesus, amen." ~ Heidi Vegh (excerpted fromA Prayer for Difficult Times)
Prayer for Peace
Father God, my heart is filled with chaos and confusion. I feel as if I am drowning in my circumstances and my heart is filled with fear and confusion. I really need the strength and peace that only You can give. Right now, I choose to rest in You. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen. ~ Mary Southerland.
Prayer for the Broken-Hearted
"Dear Father,
You alone, God, know the sorrow deep within my heart and You alone are the One who can heal my broken heart. “You who are my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me” (Jeremiah 8:18). In this darkest of times in my life, Father, I turn towards you, asking You to mend my brokenness and extend Your healing into to every area of my heart that is ripped and torn apart. I’m powerless, Lord, to remove this heartbreak from my heart but You who created my innermost being and knit me together in my mother’s womb, can make my heart anew again (Psalm 139:13).
I praise You, Father, because in You, I can be set free from the grief, as your word assures, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Thank You for Your nearness to me during this time of overwhelming heartbreak and loss. In Your beautiful name I release my deepest sorrows and receive Your abundant life. Today, Father, I receive Your freedom from this brokenness to heal my heart. I look to you to turn my sorrow into joy and to replace my many tears shed with joyful songs (Psalm 126:5).
In Jesus’ name, Amen" ~ Lynette Kittle (excerpted from A Prayer for Broken Hearts)
Prayer for Perseverance
Holy Lord, Thank You for grace. Please help me move beyond the hurdles that trip me up and give me the strength and wisdom to look up and see the hope I run toward in Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.~ Gwen Smith
Download our free PDF of calming Prayers for When You Can't Sleep. Save these to your phone or print them to use in times of stress or anxiety.
Prayer for Self Control
Father, today I ask forgiveness of all the negative and harmful words I have spoken about myself. I do not want to abuse myself in such a way again. Transform my thoughts and let me understand how marvelously you made me. Change my habits so I use my tongue to speak hope and favor upon my life. In Jesus' name, Amen. ~ Sarah Coleman
Prayer for Your Children
Lord, I release my children to Your care and protection, and I relinquish my will for them in favor of Your will. I know I can't go everywhere my child goes, but I know you do. Please protect them.Give us wisdom for how to parent well. Give us peace in Your goodness toward our children and your love for us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.~ Dr. Neil T. Anderson
Prayer for Loving Like Jesus
Father, I have to thank You for looking beyond my faults and for loving me unconditionally. Forgive me when I fail to love others in the same way. Give me eyes to see the needs of the difficult people in my life, and show me how to meet those needs in a way that pleases You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.~ Mary Southerland
Prayer for God’s Direction
Lord, help me not to lean on my own understanding but in everything acknowledge You so that You can direct my words, thoughts and actions. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ~ Sharon Glasgow
Prayer for When You Feel Unworthy
Lord, thank You that in Christ, I'm chosen, holy and dearly loved. When I'm tempted to measure myself according to the world's standards or my foolish comparisons, help me to recognize Satan's lies, refuse his temptations, and rely on Your truth about me instead. In Jesus' Name, Amen. ~ Renee Swope
Prayer For Worry
Father, I am tempted to worry about so many things. Our world is a mess! Forgive me for focusing on anything or anyone but You. Thank You for the Bible that equips and empowers me to live each day. Right now, I declare that You are my only Hope. Please help me remember that You really are in control. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ~ Mary Southerland
Prayer for God’s Strength
Lord, thank you for your greatness. Thank you that when I am weak, you are strong. Lord, the Devil is scheming and I know he desires to keep me from spending time with you. Don’t let him win! Give me a measure of your strength so that I might not give into discouragement, deception and doubt! Help me honor you in all my ways. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ~ Debbie Przybylski
Prayer for Control of Tongue
Lord, I know my tongue often gets ahead of my mind and heart. I am quick to speak and I repent of the many thoughtless things I have spoken. I am sorry for the words I have spoken in anger or in gossip. Please help me to see when I am about to speak without thinking and to check my heart. Help me be slow to speak. Help me Lord to be a person full of loving words, full of your Spirit, overflowing with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self control. Amen. ~ Debbie Przybylski
Prayer When Feeling Inadequate
Dear Lord, Thank You for fearfully and wonderfully creating each of us. Thank You for giving us worth in Your eyes. Help us live as the one You uniquely intended us to be. Help us abide instead of strive, living peacefully and joyfully as heirs to Your Kingdom and co-heirs with Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ~ Julie Sunne
Prayer for Being Grateful
Father, I am so sorry for the way I complain about my circumstances. Please forgive me for my bad attitude when things don't go my way. I want to see Your hand in every part of every day - good or bad. Help me learn how to face every storm with confidence, knowing that You really are in control even though I cannot hear Your voice or see Your hand at work. In Jesus Name, Amen. ~ Mary Southerland
Prayer of God’s Provision
Dear Father God, Thank You for Your unfailing love for me, Your blessings, and goodness. Thank You for Your faithfulness to guide me and see me through times of uncertainty, for lifting me up, and setting me on high. Thank You for Scripture that comforts and reminds me of Your promises, plan, and provision. Thank you for taking away my fears and worries, the what-ifs, and reminding me that my help comes from You. Help me be a good steward and to sow wisely. In Christ’s Name, Amen. ~ Renee Davis
Prayer for Growing Faith
Dear Lord, help me - every single morning - to find faith in the midst of the chaos. Give me the desire and ability to see You, hear You, talk to You, and give thanks to You. And as I do, I pray that I will draw nearer and nearer to You, and that my faith will multiply exponentially as I understand in new, deeper ways that You are everything I ever hoped You would be. And so much more. Amen. ~ Kelly O’Dell Stanley
Prayer for Confidence
Lord, help me let go of my fear of failure. I know Satan wants to use my fears to hold me back from living boldly for You. Forgive me for not living in faith, and help me from this moment on to live with bold confidence in You. Lord, help me not compare myself to others around me. I pray instead that I can keep my eye on You and live a life that proclaims Your excellence. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen. ~ Rick Warren
Prayer for a Heavy Heart
Lord, I want to lay before you all that weighs heavy on my heart. Reveal even the sin I am not aware of, Lord. I lay these at your feet and pray your forgiveness on me. I believe you when you say that you wash us whiter than snow. Thank you Lord for your unending love for me! Help me start fresh right now to make choices that honor you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.~ Rick Warren
Prayer for Hope and Trust
Father, sometimes it does feel that you have left us in the battle. We know that you are with us, but so are our feelings of aloneness. The Enemy seems to be taking ground. Our crying out to you seems to go unanswered. We know you are at work, but help us trust you in the midst of our questions. In Jesus' Name, Amen. ~ Ron Moore
Short Prayer for Thankfulness
God, sometimes life gets me down and I find it hard to see things to be thankful for. Open my eyes to see the gifts you’ve given me in my life. I’m going to start by thanking you for loving me enough to come to earth and die so we can live together forever. Amen.~ Wendy van Eyck
Prayer for Restored Relationships
Father God, open my eyes to see the ways I’m like Cain. What conflicts am I allowing to brew in my family? What anger is bubbling into murderous rage in my relationships? Thank You for the clarity to see how hatred kills relationships. I choose instead the way of love. Love protects. Help me to protect those I love by loving them. Your way is always best, Father. I pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen. ~ James MacDonald
Image credit:©GettyImages/JantaneeRungpranomkorn; Video credits for audio, video, photos: Soundstripe, Storyblocks, LightStock, ThinkStock
This article is part of our Prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times.Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how topray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Serenity Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Prayer for Peace
Morning Prayers
Good Night Prayers
Prayer for Healing
Prayer for Protection
Prayer for God’s Help
Prayer for Anxiety
Prayer for Strength
FAQs
What is the best short prayer? ›
“Father in heaven, I stand before You today in Your omnipotent presence to ask that You grant me strength. I want You to give me the strength to power through all of the tasks today — whether little or big. It is by Your will that I live oh Lord. And I know it is also by Your will I will not go weak today.
What are some short uplifting prayers? ›God, Please enlighten my mind with truth, inflame my heart with love, inspire my will with courage, enrich my life with service. Pardon what I have been, sanctify what I am, and order what I shall be. Amen.
What is the shortest most powerful prayer? ›“O Allah, protect me from any Pains and Sufferings.” This includes both Dunya and Akhirah. Al-Abbas (R.A.) thought about this for a while, and then he came back after a few days and said (paraphrased):
What are examples of short prayers? ›Short Prayers of Thanks
My precious Savior, thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Thank you for a new life through Jesus Christ. May I live today in full freedom from sin, alive to grace! Father God, thank you for the breath in my lungs and another day to experience your lovingkindess!
Lord, I give you all that I am this day. Please brush away my weariness, so that I may be inspired in my work. Help me to discover new ways to reveal your love to all I meet. Keep my mind clear and focused on all I need to achieve, and give me the wisdom to overcome difficulties and find solutions.
What is a powerful prayer to say? ›Father God, we bow before you, and recognize our great need of a Savior. Today we want to lift our hearts and give thanks for Your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. We lift our hearts in praise to our Savior, and as your loved children and your redeemed servants, we lay our lives before you in worship.
What is a short blessing prayer? ›May my life be filled with thanksgiving and praise for your countless blessings. Give me assurance that you supply my every need through your generosity. May grace, mercy, and peace be with me, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Son, in truth and love. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.
Can you give me a short prayer? ›Dear Heavenly Father, I feel in my heart that you might be real, but my mind fills me with doubt. Please help me find the path to you. My heart longs to know that you're with me. Open my ears and my eyes for signs of you.
What is a short powerful prayer quote? ›Top 10 Best Prayer Quotes:
"It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without heart." "Whether we realize it or not, prayer is the encounter of God's thirst with ours. God thirsts that we may thirst for him." "Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of Containing God's gift of himself."
It is called the "Jesus Prayer", and it consists simply in uttering the single word "Jesus" (or "Lord Jesus", or "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner") in any situation, at any time and place, either aloud or silently.
What are the 3 powerful prayers? ›
The prayer of protection. The prayer of transformation. The prayer of restoration.
What is the best prayer for a miracle? ›God, please bring a miracle into my life. I know that you can do the impossible in my life and I am trusting in your promises. Thank you for being a God who sees and hears my every need. In Jesus' name, amen.
What is a simple prayer of thanks? ›A Simple Prayer of Gratitude
Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have bestowed on my life. You have provided me with more than I could ever have imagined. You have surrounded me with people who always look out for me. You have given me family and friends who bless me every day with kind words and actions.
Dear God, please give me strength when I am weak, love when I feel forsaken, courage when I am afraid, wisdom when I feel foolish, comfort when I am alone, hope when I feel rejected, and peace when I am in turmoil. Amen.
What is the short prayer for the soul to rest in peace? ›Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
How do you thank God every morning? ›Today is a good day to be thankful, and I thank you for our daily bread, Lord. Thank you for helping me today, for a new opportunity to love, to give, and to become the person you want me to be. I praise you today Lord for you are our Father. In Christ's name, Amen.”
What is a beautiful morning prayer to start your day? ›Dear Lord, This morning as I contemplate a new day, I ask you to help me. I want to be aware of your spirit—leading me in the decisions I take, the conversations I have, and the work I do. I want to be more like you, Jesus, as I relate to the people I meet today—friends or strangers.
What is a good morning positive prayer? ›God, when I am weak, I know You can make me strong. Please guide me, mold me and make me into the person You want me to be. Please guide my heart and strengthen me if and when trials come into my path. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
What prayer protects you from evil? ›Lord God, I pray for Your protection as I begin this day. You are my hiding place, and under Your wings I can always find refuge. Protect me from trouble wherever I go, and keep evil far from me.
How do you pray a simple prayer? ›We thank you for your goodness, your mercy and your grace. Help us to carry these wonderful gifts in our own hearts and lives. May we minster these to all the world. Amen.
What are the 7 most powerful prayers? ›
- “Lord, Bless me.” Can you imagine stumbling in the night as Jacob did, wrestling with God? ...
- “Show me your glory.” ...
- “Help my unbelief!” ...
- “Lord, make me clean.” ...
- “Not my will, but yours be done.” ...
- “Father, forgive them.” ...
- “Come, Lord Jesus.”
Shine on me your holy light as I walk and follow your lead, and keep me away from the temptation to get anxious over things. Teach me to have self-discipline and allow me to have faith in your guidance today, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, I pray these prayers for today. Amen.
What is a one word prayer? ›You can describe it as the 'practice of the presence of God'. The tradition of the “prayer of one word” grew from St Paul's plea to early Christians to “pray at all times” and to revere Jesus as often as possible.
What are the 7 blessings of God? ›In this book Munsey explains how, not only the Israelites, but believers today—nearly 3,500 years after the day of fasting, prayer, and offering began—can claim the seven specific, supernatural atonement blessings that are promised in Joel 2: • A Double Portion • Financial Abundance • Restoration • Miracles • God's ...
How do you pray to God for quick answers? ›Cry to Him, “LORD LIFT ME” and He will answer you speedily. (4) Another very important prayer that God delights to answer is “LORD BLESS ME.” The Prayer of Jabesh was not long, he asked God for “indeed blessing” or “blessing indeed.” His life was transformed with the prevalent of “the Blessing of the LORD.
What is a good prayer to God? ›Loving God, I pray that you will comfort me in my suffering, lend skill to the hands of my healers, and bless the means used for my cure. Give me such confidence in the power of your grace, that even when I am afraid, I may put my whole trust in you; through our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
What are the two cool prayers? ›Narrated Abu Bakr bin Abi Musa: My father said, "Allah's Apostle said, 'Whoever prays the two cool prayers ('Asr and Fajr) will go to Paradise.
How do you say a short opening prayer? ›A Simple Opening Prayer
Thank you for your lovingkindness that never fails us. We thank you for those with us, that you would guide our thoughts and actions to bring you glory. Strengthen us and fill us with your peace. May we love and serve each other as Jesus has shown us.
True prayer is heartfelt: the words convey our deeply felt desires and are coupled with a commitment to act on the divine guidance we receive. Heartfelt prayer comes from the depths of the soul. Our mind and heart are directed toward God with full and complete attention.
Whats the prayer that everyone knows? ›The Lord's Prayer – Matthew 6:9-13
hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
What is the most used prayer? ›
The most common prayer among Christians is the "Lord's Prayer", which according to the gospel accounts (e.g. Matthew 6:9-13) is how Jesus taught his disciples to pray.
What is a powerful prayer to get closer to God? ›Cleanse my mind and my heart, Lord Jesus. Renew a steadfast spirit within me and draw me close to you. I know your Spirit dwells within me, and even when you feel far away, I know you are with me. Remind my soul of this truth, in Jesus' name, amen.”
What is the prayer of hope? ›A Prayer for Hope Today
God, you know those things in my heart that I barely dare to hope for, today I give them to you, I trust them to you, and ask that you because I know that you can do more than I could ever guess, imagine or request in wildest dreams (Eph 3:20). God, you are my hope and I trust you. Amen.
God, please help me to make peace with yesterday and have an open mind and heart for today. Help me to be a blessing. Help me to see the good around me, the good in others, and the good in myself. Fill me with happy thoughts and a thankful heart. Guide me into living like you, with selflessness and love.
What is the best prayer in the Bible? ›The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13): “'Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.
What is the 3 day powerful miracle prayer? ›Holy Spirit, you who makes me see everything and shows me the way to reach my ideal, you who gives me the divine gift to forgive and forget all the wrong that is done to me and you. who are in all instances of my life with me.
What is a powerful prayer for everyday miracles? ›Perform miracles in my life Lord to display your power and glory. Increase my faith to trust in you. May my whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless to the end. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.
How do you pray for everything? ›Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Today is a good day to be thankful, and I thank you for our daily bread, Lord. Thank you for helping me today, for a new opportunity to love, to give, and to become the person you want me to be. I praise you today Lord for you are our Father. In Christ's name, Amen.”
What is a thankful prayer for today? ›Prayer of appreciation
"Dear Lord, we rejoice in our gratitude, for the gifts you have given us today have enriched our lives beyond measure. We thank you for the love you show us and the sacrifices you made to support us. May we continue to appreciate your love each and every day. Amen."
How do you thank God in short? ›
One of the truest ways to demonstrate your appreciation to God is to simply pray and tell Him. God loves to hear from you. He often wonders why you never call or write. Seriously though, prayer is the simplest and surest way to convey appreciation to God.
What is a prayer for peace and strength? ›Father, please grant me peace of mind, and calm my troubled heart. My soul is so uneasy. I can't seem to find my balance, so I stumble and worry constantly. Give me the strength and clarity of mind to find my purpose and walk the path You've laid out for me.
What are the prayers of comfort? ›Father God, I trust that You are in control of my life at all times. Calm my heart, God, and keep it away from the spirit of fear and anxiety. You are the only one who can comfort me now. Surround me with Your peace that surpasses all understanding.
How do you give rest to the soul? ›You can find rest for your soul through prayers/communing with God, through faith in His word/promises and through total trust in His faithfulness/love.
What is a prayer of calmness and peace of mind? ›Loving God, please grant me peace of mind and calm my troubled heart. My soul is like a turbulent sea. I can't seem to find my balance so I stumble and worry constantly. Give me the strength and clarity of mind to find my purpose and walk the path you've laid out for me.
How do you pray for the soul of the dead? ›Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him/her. May he/she rest in peace. Amen. May almighty God bless us with his peace and strength, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
What is the most important pray? ›The Lord's Prayer is the most widely known prayer in Christianity and is said across most Christian denominations . Jesus often spoke about the importance of prayer for developing a relationship with God. When asked by his followers how they should pray, he taught them the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13).
What is a short prayer for blessings? ›Prayer for Blessings
I pray that You anoint my head with blessings and make Your face shine upon me, Lord Jesus. Pour out Your Spirit on me and let me dwell with You in Your house all the days of my life. Bless all of my days on this earth and bless all of my comings and goings. In Your precious name, I pray, Amen.
Pray: Our Heavenly Father, we ask for Your blessing upon us; we thank You that we have this great power, this wonderful wisdom, this deep insight, this flow of abundance surging through our lives, blessing us in every way and, through us, helping and serving mankind. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
What are the 5 basic prayer? ›We've defined the primary types of prayer: supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, confession, and intercession.