Prayer Poems

Use these prayer poems for encouragement and for reflection. Find prayers written from the heart. Let these verses be ones that encourage and remind you of the power of prayer.

Our prayers are sometimes answered without us realizing or, in ways that we did not ask for butalways remember God’s plan is better than ours.

And a good quote to remember about prayer is from Bunmi Afolabi’s book, Incredible Courage,
“One way to activate regular God-incidents in your life is to be prayerful.”

Prayer’s Ability
Poet: Greta Zwaan, ©2011

Prayer in the time of trouble brings peace to the weary soul,
Prayer in the time of triumph acknowledges God’s in control.
Prayer is never irrelevant; it is essential to our life,
It’s not a crutch which to lean on, or to use in times of strife.

Prayer is a type of thanksgiving, a greeting to God for His grace,
Prayer is the essence of morning, the fragrance of life to embrace.
Prayer is a holy connection, a quiet time at God’s feet,
In prayer we acknowledge dependence, a place where God and man meet.

Prayer is the means of sustaining a faith that at times can grow weak,
The power of prayer is enriching, uplifting to hear our God speak.
It’s not an audible message, no finger to write out His plan,
But a still small voice known as conscience is God’s way of speaking to man.

When all other avenues falter, and man’s ingenuity fails,
God, in His infinite wisdom, is the source who always prevails.
Nothing can bring such contentment as spending an hour in prayer,
God is a most willing listener and He is eternally there.

Prayer is never irrelevant; it is essential to our life
Greta Zwaan
Inspirational Sayings

My Desire
Poet: Greta Zwaan, ©2008

As I have come into Your house, let my mind be free,
Take away the hindrances that assault;
Give me ears that I may hear the message that You bring,
Let me bow before You without fault.

Not by merit of my own, my sin condemns the thought;
But through Your mercy and Your grace.
In my search for being faithful to what e’re your plan may be,
May I in earnest seek your holy face.

As I journey through this life, may I focus Lord on You,
My thoughts be ever heaven bound.
You have bid me bring my woes, the things that cause me grief,
Before the cross where gently peace is found.

Help me open up my heart, my soul, my life to You,
And all attractions of the world dismiss.
May I be guided by Your hand and follow where You lead,
For in Your presence there is peace and bliss.

Draw me nearer, ever nearer, gently hold my hand in Yours,
Walk beside me in this journey that I’m on.
Be my constant life companion, give me strength to hold You firm,
Whether in the night or in the early dawn.

Yes Lord, I have come to bring You glory, I have come to sing Your praise,
I have come to bare my heart before Your throne.
May my very being bear witness to Your love,
I trust my life to You, to You alone!

God Doesn’t Hear Me
Poet: Greta Zwaan, ©2018

When prayers go unanswered and things don’t go right
Do you think God’s forgotten? You’re out of His sight?
You need His assistance but He isn’t there;
You’re just a nuisance and He doesn’t care.

You’re tackling a problem but haven’t a clue;
It’s out of your league but what do you do?
You’ve tried every angle but always fall short
You bring it to God and give a report;

But His door doesn’t open; you get no reply,
It seems He can’t hear you but you don’t know why.
You desperately need Him; you’ve nowhere to turn;
Your cries an your pleadings God seems to spurn.

Oh, how can you reach Him? Why doesn’t He hear?
Your heart breaks with anguish, you’re life’s filled with fear.
You sit in the stillness; you have no more hope,
Your tears are all spent, you simply can’t cope.

The stillness is deafening, and a small voice you hear;
“My child, I’ve been listening, I’ve always been near.
You carried your burden but tried it alone,
Your prayers were for answers you thought were not shown;
But My ways are different from what you request,
Through testings and trials My ways are still best.

I’m here, right beside you, and I’ll see you through,
Be patient, be trusting, I’m still holding you.
You haven’t walked in this darkness and fear
That I wasn’t with you, that I wasn’t here.

Remember My love, remember I care,
I hear every cry; I hear you in prayer.
My answer is coming though not always clear,
Trust Me My child for I’ll always be near.”

“Prayer is the contemplation of the facts of life from the highest point of view.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Prayer Quotes and Sayings

Give Praise
Poet: Greta Zwaan, ©2010

Prayer is not a last resource, it’s vital to all life;
We ought not wait till trials arise through illness or through strife.
God has commanded that we pray, both in joy or pain,
We should not wait till turmoil comes then plead with God again.

We need to bring our joys and praise – to God we owe this due,
For constantly He guides our way whatever we may go through.
We’re quick to call upon His name in dire times of need,
We run for help in deep dismay when we need God to lead.

But prayer is also time for praise for all that we receive,
For every breath that comes our way to which our life must cleave.
For joys which lighten up our day, for unexpected grace,
For peace that fills our troubled soul in trials we must face.

God’s heart is open for requests as well as for thanksgiving,
He hears the cry that each soul makes, their cry for righteous living.
So bring Him praise, lift up your heart, be joyful, blessed with singing,
Give God the glory for His love and set the joy bells ringing.

Pray It Through
Poet: Eldred Herbert

Do you have a problem that is very hard to bear?
Do not wrestle with it; take it to the Lord in prayer.
He will guide you and results will always be correct,
So talk it over with the Lord, He will not neglect.

Do you a have a burden that your friends don’t know about?
Is it something you would rather they would not find out?
Go to Jesus at this moment, kneel to Him in prayer,
You will find He is ever present, waiting for you there.

Bare your heart of evil doings, He will hear you through,
He is willing to forgive you, and forget it, too;
And when you find your burdens are much too great to bear,
They will grow much lighter when you go to Him in prayer.

Prayer will change a heartache into a cheerful song,
If in faith you ask it, the answer will soon come ‘long
Always take your burdens to the foot of Calvary’s cross,
Christ is there to save you, and you will not suffer loss.

He is willing to forgive you, and forget it, too Eldred Herbert
Forgiveness

Everything I Needed
Poet: Julie Hebert, © 2012

Everything I needed,
I asked for in my prayers.
My prayers were always answered,
In many different pairs.

I asked God for some courage,
And he answered with a hum.
He gave me some dangers,
That I would overcome.

I asked God for some strength,
And he answered with a wrong.
He gave me some difficulties,
That would make me strong.

I asked God for some patience,
And he answered with a date.
He gave me some situations,
That I was forced to wait.

I asked God for love,
And he answered with throw.
He gave me lots of people,
That I could get to know.

I received nothing that I wanted,
Only that of which I need.
My prayers have all been answered,
With only a single plead.

The Soul’s Sincere Desire
Poet: James Montgomery

Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,
unuttered or expressed;
the motion of a hidden fire
that trembles in the breast.

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
the falling of a tear
the upward glancing of an eye,
when none but God is near.

Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice,
returning from his ways,
while angels in their songs rejoice
and cry, “Behold, he prays!”

The saints in prayer appear as one
in word, in deed, and mind,
while with the Father and the Son
sweet fellowship they find.

No prayer is made by man alone
the Holy Spirit pleads,
and Jesus, on th’eternal throne,
for sinners intercedes.

O thou, by whom we come to God,
the Life, the Truth, the Way;
the path of prayer thyself hast trod:
Lord, teach us how to pray!

The Meaning of Prayer
Poet: Frances McKinnon Morton

A breath of prayer in the morning means a day of blessing sure;
a breath of prayer in the evening means a night of rest secure;

A breath of prayer in our weakness means the clasp of a mighty hand;
A breath of prayer when we’re lonely means someone to understand;

A breath of prayer in our sorrows means comfort and peace and rest;
A breath of prayer in our doubtings assures us the Lord knows best;

A breath of prayer in rejoicing gives joy and added delight,
For they that remember God’s goodness go singing far into the night.

There’s never a year nor a season that prayer may not bless every hour,
And never a soul need be helpless when linked with God’s infinite power.

“A prayer in its simplest definition is merely a wish turned Godward.”
Phillips Brooks Faith

Living In The Moment
Poet: Julie Hebert, © 2012

If you want to truly, enjoy your life in full.
Living in the moment, is how you’ll feel that pull.

Living in the moment, is the best thing you can do.
Our days are already numbered, and each moment should be true.

The moments of each day, are a special gift to us.
And should never be wasted, we should feel very blessed.

Spend your time wisely, and with people whom you care.
And at night when you’re thankful, just say a little prayer.

Living in the moment, is truly a special sight.
Take the moments you’ve been given, and thank God tonight.

Disturb Us
Sir Frances Drake

Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.
We ask You to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.

Praying The Lord’s Prayer
Poet: Unknown

You cannot say the Lord’s Prayer and make one selfish plea,
You cannot say the Lord’s Prayer and even once say “me,”
For it’s our, our, our, and it’s us, us, us
And the fourth time it’s our, and the fourth time it’s us.

You cannot say the Lord’s Prayer and even once say “I,”
You cannot say the Lord’s Prayer and once say “my,”
You cannot pray the Lord’s Prayer and pray not for another,
For when you ask for daily bread, you must include thy brother.

For it’s us, us, us, and it’s our, our, our,
As free from selfish motive as the fragrance of a flower,
For others are included in each and every plea,
For from beginning to the end it does not once say “me.”

“Prayers can be done at any time of the day or night, at home or workplace.”
Dr. Mary Lee, Prayers: How I Achieve Everything through Prayers

Sometime, Somewhere
Poet: Ophelia G. Browning

Unanswered yet the prayer your lips have pleaded
In agony of heart these many years?
Does faith begin to fail? Is hope departing?
And think you all in vain those falling tears?
Say not the Father hath not heard your prayer;
You shall have your desire sometime, somewhere.

Unanswered yet? – though when you first presented
This one petition at the Father’s throne
It seemed you could not wait the time of asking,
So urgent was your heart to make it known!
Though years have passed since then, do not despair;
The Lord will answer you sometime, somewhere.

Unanswered yet? Nay, do not say ungranted;
Perhaps your work is not yet wholly done.
The work began when first your prayer was uttered,
And God will finish what he has begun.
If you will keep the incense burning there
His glory you shall see sometime, somewhere.

Unanswered yet? Faith cannot be unanswered,
Her feet were firmly planted on the Rock;
Amid the wildest storms she stands undaunted,
Nor quails before the loudest thunder shock.
She knows Omnipotence has heard her prayer,
And cries, “It shall be done” – sometime, somewhere.

I’m all for missions across the sea,
Lord, You know the great need.
But what of the souls in darkness at home?
If they don’t hear, they won’t heed.

This land of ours, so vast and wide,
With blessing from shore to shore,
Has run afoul of God’s great laws
And trusts in Him no more.

This land, once founded on God’s pure Word,
Sang praises and walked in the truth,
But today the trend has gone far astray,
And we mustn’t blame only the youth.

You are disturbed, you say you care, and many times you offer prayer;
A child in hunger, thin and weak can cause quick tears upon your cheek.
You watch the news of foreign fields and shudder at what torture yields.
A brutal mess, this can’t go on, yet strife prevails from dusk to dawn.

The greed of man, the cause of war; won’t God step in and say, “NO MORE!?”
Yet countless suffer, countless die, while we at home are asking, “Why?”
We shake our heads and say, “What a shame,” but in all fairness, who’s to blame?
Did God not lay upon your heart that you indeed must do your part?

A land of plenty and to spare, I wonder, do we really care?
You say the little that you own is scarce enough to be bestown
To others on a foreign shore when you need that and even more.
The cost of living grows each day, there’s little left of each week’s pay.

You want to make that nest egg grow though be it little and be it slow;
When good times come you’ll really give, you’ll show you care that they should live.
But not just now, at least not much, e’en though their plight your heart might touch.

How can you pray? How dare you weep, and never lift a hand to keep
The pangs of hunger from their door that daily greet each child once more?
Christ said that inasmuch as ye have done for them, you’ve done for me.
They too are of our human race, they too, in God’s plan, have a place.

What will you say when God shall ask, “Did you perform your earthly task?”
Be mission minded, give or go, let your light shine, let your light glow.
Your duty lies to all mankind, the path of life they too must find.

Oh, friend, don’t sympathize and leave, be troubled, touched and even grieved,
And let these feelings fill your soul, let God alone be in control.
There’s much that you as one can do for missions means both I and you.
Become involved, love give and pray. The blessings? Yours! Yes, yours today.

Prayer pushes us through life’s slumps,
propels us over the humps,
and pulls us out of the dumps.
Prayer is the oomph we need to
get the answers we seek.
Max Lucado
Words of Encouragement

Remove my self-protective armour, my need to always defend,
Teach me to be less self-observant, willing to serve or be spent.
Take from my life my own mirror image; let me reflect only on You,
Cast away all my own self-importance; to your ideals always be true.

Show me that life is one fleeting moment, that earthly values are vain,
Instill in my heart a heavenly longing and the lures of this life to distain.
Draw me aside to reflect on Your glory, that I’m but a product of dust,
Bring to my thoughts why I’ve been created, show me in whom I must trust.

Give me the insight I need to be holy, strengthen my faith day by day,
Bless me with a true understanding, guide me to walk in Your chosen way.
Open my eyes to view Your creation in the way You meant it to be,
Full of great splendour, awesome in colour, majestic in glory, in pure harmony.

Give me a heart that yearns for my Saviour, keep my life focused and strong,
Then, only then, can I follow Your footsteps, thereby to serve You all my life long.

I walk the streets in relative safety,
I rarely fear for life or limb.
I come and go as my heart has fancy,
The evening lights will not grow dim.

I travel in ease across my country,
I vote for whomever I think is best.
I’m free to work at my vocation,
I live in a country that’s truly been blessed.

There’s freedom to shop, invest or bargain,
To worship or not is all my own choice.
What more can one ask from such a vast country?
Where each individual’s been given a voice.

Truly! That’s freedom! What more could one ask?
Able to purchase all I desire.
If I have funds I’m my very own master,
There’s nothing that money cannot acquire.

So, why am I then not totally happy?
What causes this void that I feel deep inside?
All of life’s treasures at my disposal,
Nothing I want to me is denied.

Yet, I have need for something with meaning,
Something to give my life a new goal.
Can it be that all of life’s treasures
Have no way of filling the void in my soul?

Would I find peace and total contentment
If I could relinquish my need for success?
Dare I believe what others have told me,
“You need not succumb to this terrible distress?”

There’s no other option, I must find renewal.
I cannot continue to live with despair.
All of life’s avenues left me depleted,
Surely there must be a new way somewhere.

If you hear my voice, and you have the answer,
Please! For the sake of my desperate soul!
Reach out your hand in the darkness that holds me,
Before I hit bottom, and lose all control.

Don’t walk past the shield that I hold before me,
The shield of indifference; it’s only a ploy.
Listen! And hear the soul’s cry within me.
Remove all the heartaches and teach me of joy.

There must be a way, there must be a pattern,
I doubt that I’m meant to wander, to stray.
I’ve shown my dilemma, and now, you must help me!
I plead with you! Please! Help me today!

More Poems to Inspire and Encourage