20 Bible Verses to Encourage You to Keep Praying

Have you ever felt like your prayers were bouncing off the ceiling? I’ve been there. In 2014, I spent months praying for a situation that seemed hopeless. Every morning, I’d open my Bible, kneel beside my bed, and wonder if God was even listening. Then one Tuesday morning, everything changed. Not because my circumstances shifted, but because God reminded me through His Word that prayer isn’t about getting answers on my timeline—it’s about staying connected to Him.

If you’re struggling to maintain your prayer life, you’re not alone. These Bible verses to encourage you to keep praying will remind you why persistence in prayer matters and how God responds when we refuse to give up.

Key Takeaways

• Prayer is a continuous conversation with God, not a one-time event (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
• God promises to hear and answer when we pray according to His will (1 John 5:14-15)
• Persistent prayer demonstrates faith and aligns our hearts with God’s purposes
• Jesus Himself modeled consistent prayer, often withdrawing to pray alone (Luke 5:16)
• The Holy Spirit helps us pray when we don’t know what to say (Romans 8:26)

Why We Need Bible Verses to Encourage You to Keep Praying

Prayer can feel like work sometimes. Life gets busy. Distractions multiply. And when we don’t see immediate results, it’s easy to wonder if our prayers matter at all.

According to recent trends, Bible engagement surged in 2025 with more than 18 million Bibles sold—an 11% increase from the previous year.[1] This tells me something important: people are hungry for God’s Word. And when we’re searching for encouragement to keep praying, Scripture is exactly where we need to look.

Tricia Goyer’s “26 Life Lessons from the Bible for 2026” emphasizes that prayer should be our first response, not our last resort.[5] That’s the shift we need to make. Prayer isn’t Plan B when everything else fails. It’s the foundation of our relationship with God.

The Connection Between Scripture and Prayer

I’ve discovered that the best way to strengthen my prayer life is to cultivate a thriving prayer life rooted in Scripture. When I pray God’s Word back to Him, something powerful happens. My faith increases. My perspective shifts. And I remember that God’s promises are yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Resources like “10 Days of Prayer” for 2026 encourage incorporating Bible passage reading into prayer practices.[7] This isn’t just about reading verses—it’s about letting them transform how we pray.

20 Powerful Bible Verses to Encourage You to Keep Praying

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV)

“Pray without ceasing”

This short verse packs a massive punch. Paul isn’t telling us to walk around with our eyes closed and hands folded 24/7. He’s calling us to maintain an ongoing conversation with God throughout our day. Prayer becomes a lifestyle, not just an activity.

2. Luke 18:1 (NKJV)

“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart”

Jesus told this parable specifically to address our tendency to give up. The context here is crucial—He knew we’d face discouragement in prayer. That’s why He emphasized that we should always pray and never quit.

3. Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

This passage addresses anxiety and worry head-on.[2] When I’m overwhelmed, these verses remind me that prayer is the antidote to anxiety. I don’t have to carry my burdens alone—I can bring them to God with thanksgiving.

4. James 5:16 (NKJV)

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

Your prayers matter. They accomplish things. They move mountains. Fervent prayer—prayer that’s passionate and persistent—produces powerful results.

5. Matthew 7:7-8 (NKJV)

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

Notice the present tense here: keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. Jesus is encouraging persistent, continuous prayer. Don’t ask once and quit. Keep knocking until the door opens.

6. Romans 8:26 (NKJV)

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

I love this verse because it meets me in my weakness. Sometimes I don’t have the words. Sometimes I don’t know what to pray. And that’s okay—the Holy Spirit prays for me when I can’t.

7. Jeremiah 29:12 (NKJV)

“Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”

God promises to listen. Not maybe. Not if He’s in the mood. He will listen. That’s a guarantee we can count on every single time we pray.

8. 1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

This verse gives us confidence in prayer. When we align our requests with God’s will, we can know with certainty that He hears us and will answer. This is why strengthening your belief with Bible verses about prayer and faith is so important.

9. Psalm 55:17 (NKJV)

“Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.”

David established a rhythm of prayer—morning, noon, and evening. Consistent prayer throughout the day keeps us connected to God’s presence.

10. Colossians 4:2 (NKJV)

“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving”

Paul urges us to continue earnestly—to be devoted and persistent. And notice the addition of thanksgiving. Gratitude transforms our prayer life.

11. Mark 11:24 (NKJV)

“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

Faith and prayer go hand in hand. Jesus isn’t promoting a “name it and claim it” theology here. He’s teaching us that prayer requires faith—we must believe God will answer.

12. Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV)

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”

Paul connects prayer with spiritual warfare here. We’re called to pray always, with all perseverance, for all believers. This is the heart of a prayer warrior. For more on this, check out these inspiring Bible verses about unleashing the power of prayer warriors.

13. Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

We don’t have to tiptoe into God’s presence. We can come boldly. Not arrogantly, but confidently, knowing we’re welcomed by our Father.

14. Psalm 34:17 (NKJV)

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.”

God doesn’t just hear—He delivers. Prayer leads to deliverance. This is especially encouraging when we’re facing hard times. These comforting Bible verses for hard times can strengthen your faith during difficult seasons.

15. Matthew 6:6 (NKJV)

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

Jesus emphasizes private, personal prayer. There’s power in shutting out distractions and meeting with God alone. Some of my most profound breakthroughs have happened in those secret place moments.

16. James 1:5 (NKJV)

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Need wisdom? Ask. God gives it liberally and without reproach. He won’t scold you for asking. He delights in giving you what you need.

17. Luke 5:16 (NKJV)

“So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.”

If Jesus needed to withdraw and pray, how much more do we? Jesus modeled consistent, solitary prayer. He made it a priority despite His busy ministry schedule.

18. Acts 2:42 (NKJV)

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

The early church made prayer a cornerstone of their community. They continued steadfastly—they didn’t give up or get distracted. Prayer was woven into the fabric of their daily lives.

19. Psalm 145:18 (NKJV)

“The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.”

God is near. Not distant. Not disinterested. He draws close to those who call on Him. That’s an incredible promise.

20. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

“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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

This verse outlines a clear path: humble yourself, pray, seek God’s face, turn from sin. The result? God hears, forgives, and heals. Prayer has the power to transform not just individuals but entire communities.

How to Apply These Bible Verses to Encourage You to Keep Praying

Reading these verses is step one. But application is where transformation happens. Here’s how I’ve learned to put these truths into practice:

Create a Prayer Rhythm

Start with consistency over duration. Don’t try to pray for two hours if you’ve never prayed for ten minutes. Begin with five minutes every morning. Use Psalm 55:17 as your model—morning, noon, and evening. Set reminders on your phone if needed.

I started by praying during my morning coffee. Just me, my Bible, and God. No distractions. No agenda. Just conversation. Over time, those five minutes expanded naturally because I wanted more time with Him.

Pray Scripture Back to God

This practice has revolutionized my prayer life. When I don’t know what to pray, I open my Bible and pray God’s Word back to Him. For example, using Philippians 4:6-7, I might pray:

“Father, Your Word says I should be anxious for nothing. Today I’m bringing my worry about [specific situation] to You with thanksgiving. I’m asking for Your peace that surpasses understanding to guard my heart and mind.”

Keep a Prayer Journal

Write down your requests. Date them. Then watch God answer. I have journals filled with answered prayers that encourage me when I’m tempted to quit. Seeing God’s faithfulness in writing strengthens my faith for current prayers.

For more practical ways to deepen your prayer life, explore this guide on cultivating a thriving prayer life with 20 powerful Bible verses.

Pray for Others

Sometimes when I’m stuck in my own prayer life, shifting focus to others breaks the logjam. James 5:16 reminds us that our prayers for others are powerful and effective. Check out these powerful Bible verses about praying for others for inspiration.

Join a Prayer Community

The early church in Acts 2:42 prayed together. Find a prayer partner or join a prayer group. Corporate prayer amplifies our faith and keeps us accountable.

Overcoming Common Prayer Obstacles

“I Don’t Have Time”

I used to say this too. Then I realized I was spending 30 minutes scrolling social media every morning. The truth? We make time for what we value. Prayer doesn’t require hours—it requires intentionality.

Try praying first thing in the morning. Before you check your phone. Before you turn on the TV. Give God your first moments, not your leftovers.

“I Don’t Know What to Say”

Romans 8:26 covers this. The Holy Spirit intercedes for you. Start with honesty: “God, I don’t know what to say, but I’m here.” He honors that vulnerability.

You can also use prayer guides or devotionals. The 20 encouraging Bible verses about prayer requests can give you language when words fail.

“I Don’t See Results”

This is the hardest obstacle. I’ve prayed for things for years without seeing the answer I wanted. But here’s what I’ve learned: God always answers prayer. Sometimes it’s yes. Sometimes it’s no. Sometimes it’s wait.

The goal of prayer isn’t to get what we want—it’s to align our hearts with God’s will. When we pray according to His will (1 John 5:14-15), we can trust that He’s working even when we can’t see it.

For encouragement about God’s faithfulness, read these encouraging Bible verses on answered prayers.

The Power of Persistent Prayer

Luke 18:1 tells us Jesus taught that we should always pray and not lose heart. The parable that follows—the persistent widow—illustrates this beautifully. The widow kept coming to the judge until he granted her request. Not because he cared about her, but because her persistence wore him down.

Jesus contrasts this unjust judge with our loving Heavenly Father. If an unjust judge responds to persistence, how much more will God respond to His children who cry out to Him day and night?

Persistence in prayer isn’t about badgering God. It’s about:

• Demonstrating faith that God will answer
• Aligning our hearts with His timing and purposes
• Staying connected to Him through the waiting
• Developing spiritual endurance and character

I think of it like this: when my kids were toddlers and asked for something, sometimes I said “not yet.” Not because I didn’t love them, but because the timing wasn’t right. They weren’t ready. The circumstances weren’t aligned. But their persistent asking showed they trusted me to provide.

That’s what our persistent prayer shows God—we trust Him to provide in His perfect timing.

Building a Lifestyle of Prayer

These Bible verses to encourage you to keep praying aren’t meant to be read once and forgotten. They’re meant to be memorized, meditated on, and lived out daily.

Here’s a practical 30-day challenge:

Week 1: Choose five verses from this list. Write them on index cards. Read them every morning and evening.

Week 2: Memorize one verse. Pray it back to God throughout your day.

Week 3: Share your favorite verse with a friend. Pray together using that verse as your foundation.

Week 4: Reflect on how your prayer life has changed. Journal about what God has taught you.

Prayer isn’t a task to check off your spiritual to-do list. It’s a relationship to cultivate. And like any relationship, it grows deeper with time, attention, and consistency.

For those leading small groups or Sunday School classes, consider using these 20 Bible verses about prayer to strengthen your faith as a teaching series.

When Prayer Feels Dry

I’d be dishonest if I didn’t address the dry seasons. There have been times when prayer felt like talking to the ceiling. When heaven seemed silent. When I wondered if God was even there.

During one particularly difficult season, I discovered something profound: God was teaching me to pray by faith, not by feeling. Just because I didn’t feel His presence didn’t mean He wasn’t there. Psalm 145:18 promises He’s near to all who call on Him in truth.

I kept showing up. I kept praying. Not because it felt good, but because I chose to trust God’s Word over my feelings.

And slowly, imperceptibly at first, the dryness lifted. Not because I prayed harder or better, but because I remained faithful. God was there all along, working in ways I couldn’t see.

If you’re in a dry season right now, don’t quit. Keep praying. Keep seeking. Keep knocking. The breakthrough is coming.

The Connection Between Prayer and Fasting

While this article focuses on prayer, I’d be remiss not to mention the power of combining prayer with fasting. Jesus assumed His followers would fast (Matthew 6:16 says “when you fast,” not “if you fast”).

Fasting amplifies our prayers by:

• Removing distractions and creating space for God
• Demonstrating seriousness about our requests
• Humbling ourselves before God
• Sharpening our spiritual sensitivity

For a deeper dive into this topic, explore these 20 Bible verses about prayer and fasting to deepen your spiritual journey.

Conclusion: Never Stop Praying

As we navigate 2026, with all its challenges and opportunities, prayer remains our most powerful spiritual weapon. These 20 Bible verses to encourage you to keep praying aren’t just nice thoughts—they’re divine promises from a God who hears, cares, and responds.

Remember:

• Prayer is conversation, not monologue
• God always hears and always answers
• Persistence demonstrates faith
• The Holy Spirit helps when we’re weak
• Prayer changes us as much as our circumstances

Here’s my challenge to you: Don’t let another day pass without spending intentional time in prayer. Start small if you need to. But start. Open your Bible to one of these verses. Read it slowly. Pray it back to God. Then watch what He does.

Your prayer life doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be persistent. God isn’t looking for eloquence—He’s looking for a heart that seeks Him.

So keep praying. Keep seeking. Keep knocking. The God who promised to hear you is faithful. And He’s already at work answering in ways you can’t yet imagine.

Ready to deepen your prayer life today? Choose one verse from this list. Write it down. Pray it. Share it with someone who needs encouragement. And remember—you’re not praying alone. The Spirit intercedes, Jesus advocates, and the Father listens. That’s a prayer team that never fails.

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References

[1] Bible Reading Resolutions Surge In 2026 God – https://actssocial.com/news/bible-reading-resolutions-surge-in-2026-god-

[2] 5 Beautiful Bible Verses To Take You Into 2026 – https://aleteia.org/2026/01/09/5-beautiful-bible-verses-to-take-you-into-2026/

[5] 26 Life Lessons From The Bible For 2026 – https://triciagoyer.com/26-life-lessons-from-the-bible-for-2026/

[7] tendaysofprayer – https://www.tendaysofprayer.org

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