From the Bible we learn that several of the popular women we know prayed. However, often we are not privy to the words they prayed.
For example, Esther fasted and prayed but what exactly did she say in prayer? Although we know the circumstances that drove to prayer, her words of prayer are not revealed to us.
Therefore, in this article I want to focus on women whose actual prayers were recorded in Scripture. I will focus on the circumstances, what they prayed for, and the type of prayer they prayed.
I have included Scripture references too. Please take the time to read each story so you can see the context and truly appreciate each prayer.
Let’s begin:
Prayers of women in the Old Testament
Hagar’s Prayer
Scripture: Genesis 16:7-14
Context: After decades of trying to have children, Sarah decided to have a child through Hagar, her slave. When Hagar becomes pregnant, her attitude towards Sarah becomes rotten. In response, Sarah becomes cruel towards Hagar. It becomes intolerable. Hagar is found in conversation with God after she runs away from the abuse of Sarah.
Type of prayer: Hagar’s prayer is one of lament. When she’s asked what brought her to the dessert, she pours out her heart, describing the abuse she has been suffering (Genesis 16:8). Later, when the situation is resolved, her prayer turns to one of worship and adoration. It is through this prayer that she names God, El Roi, highlighting that he is indeed the God who sees.
Lesson: God desires to hear the cries of our hearts. Whatever hurts us, whatever is breaking us, God’s ear is open to everything we express to him. And although he may feel faraway in those moments, it is usually in these times he is closest. He is the God who sees desperate situations and hears every prayer.
Deborah’s Prayer
Scripture: Judges 5:31
Context: Israel had been suffering under the oppression of the Canaanite king for 20 years (Judges 4). When they finally cried out to God, he responded by revealing to Deborah the plan for battle against the Canaanite army as well as who should lead it. Sure enough, Israel won the battle. After conquering the Canaanite king, Deborah and Barak sang a victory song.
Type of prayer: This song could be considered a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God. The song begins “That the leaders took the lead in Israel, that the people offered themselves willingly, bless the LORD!” (Judges 5:1). The theme of Thanksgiving continues but changes at the end of the song when they pray “So may all your enemies perish, O LORD! But your friends be like the sun as he rises in his might.” This is a prayer of imprecation.
Lesson: When God has shown up in powerful ways, we should not forget to praise Him. So often our prayers are filled with lamentations and requests but not enough praise. Like Deborah we should take time to highlight the might, majesty and miracles of our God and sing praises to him.
Abigail’s prayer
Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:23 – 31
Context: David found himself hungry, along with the men who followed him. His attempt at securing food for them failed when Nabal refused to return a favor to David who had kept his men safe from danger out in the fields. David was getting ready to slaughter Nabal and his entire household but Abigail intervened.
Type of prayer: Although Abigail’s words are not addressed to God, her address to David is certainly an excellent example of intercessory prayer from a woman. David is considered a type of Christ in Scripture and he was God’s tool of judgment against evil. Abigail interceded for forgiveness for her foolish husband and for her household to be spared. Towards the end, she includes a petition for herself (1 Samuel 25:31).
Lesson: Prayers of intercession are especially important for people who are living foolishly and endangering the lives of those for whom they have responsibility. When they make bad decisions, other people suffer. We must approach God for these people because they may never approach God themselves. But for the sake of those in their care, pray earnestly. God is able to save them if they are willing as well as those who depend on them.
Daughters of Zelophehad’s prayer
Scripture: Numbers 27:1-11
Context: The Daughters of Zelophehad were faced with a situation. As the land of Canaan was being divided, they realized they might end up being homeless or dependent on other male relatives because they had no brothers and their father had died. They needed to speak up.
Type of prayer: Like Abigail’s situation, the words of the Daughters of Zelophehad were not addressed directly to God. However, they are a good example of a prayer of petition. In fact, as they asked for land for themselves, it triggered the need for Moses to go to God asking for guidance.
Lesson: Sometimes a problem might be so new that it’s impossible to think of a solution. This is the perfect time to pray. The Daughters of Zelophehad had never seen women owning land before. Nevertheless, they decided to ask. Turns out God is not inflexible and his heart is always for the best interest of his daughters. God might surprise you. Go to him in prayer and ask about the desire that’s on your heart.
Hannah’s prayers
There are two sets of prayers that Hannah prayed as recorded in the Bible.
Scripture #1: 1 Samuel 1:11
Context #1: Hannah found herself in a childless marriage. To make matters worse, her husband’s second wife provoked and tormented her mercilessly. Hannah was so broken she couldn’t eat.
Type of prayer: In utter desperation, Hannah prays a prayer of supplication. She keeps before God as she begs him for a son and promises to return him to His service (1 Samuel 1:11).
Lesson: God hears the prayers of a heart that is desperate and broken. Hannah’s prayer was raw, open and honest so much so that Eli thought she was drunk. It’s also noteworthy that nobody but God heard her words because though her lips moved, no sound came from her lips. Our prayers don’t need to be audible to anyone but God. Private prayer is powerful.
Scripture #2: 1 Samuel 2:1-10
Context #2: God opens Hannah’s womb and she gets pregnant. After giving birth to Samuel, weaning him and fulfilling her promise to God, Hannah prays again.
Type of prayer: This time Hannah’s prayer is one of adoration and praise to God. In this prayer she highlights several attributes of God and their things he does for the weak and the destitute.
Lesson: When Hannah’s prayer is answered, she acknowledges it openly. She says, “For this child I have prayed”. She goes on to praise God and share her testimony openly. Her struggle to have a child was public and so was her praise when God answered her prayers. We should be intentional about thanking God and giving him praise. He more than deserves it.
Prayers of women in were New Testament
Mary’s Magnificat
Scripture: Luke 1:46-55
Context: After being visited by the angel Gabriel Mary becomes pregnant as promised. She learns about the miraculous pregnancy of her cousin Elizabeth and decides to visit her. When Elizabeth sees her coming, she feels her own baby move and she exclaims with a blessing for Mary.
Type of prayer: In response to Elizabeth’s blessing, Mary breaks out in praise to God. This praise prayer is commonly called the Magnificat. It is recorded like a poem. In it Mary praises God for His blessings towards her, his faithfulness towards Israel and his vindication of the humble and the hungry. Her prayer is remarkably similar to that offered by Hannah.
Lesson: God is worthy of our every praise. It is certainly appropriate to make one entire prayer one of praise and worship without asking for a single thing. Also, when we receive blessings, we should slow down, take time to acknowledge God’s hands in our lives and be intentional about praising him.
Martha’s prayers
Scripture #1: Luke 10:40, John 11:21-27
Context #1: Jesus visited the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. With him are his twelve disciples and perhaps a few more people. Martha was in high gear with hospitality and catering to the needs of her guests. She expected help from her sister Mary but she too was busy sitting at the feet of Jesus.
Type of prayer: Martha addressed Jesus with a complaint. She expresses her frustration at being left alone to do all the catering and demands that Jesus tells her sister to help
Lesson: Considering how Jesus responds to Martha, we see that not every complaint we lodge with God is legitimate. Mary was complaining to Jesus about what was frustrating her but Jesus didn’t have that as his immediate priority. In our prayers, we should be more concerned with what is on God’s heart than the things we desire to gripe about.
Scripture #2: John 11:21-27
Context #2: After a period of illness, Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha dies. However, before he passed away, they sent a message to Jesus informing him of the illness and requesting that he come to heal Lazarus. Jesus didn’t show up and Lazarus died.
Type of prayer: When Jesus finally arrives, Martha greets him with what could be considered a prayer of complaint. She expresses her hurt to him but she also expresses confidence in his power to do something about what is hurting her.
Lesson: Mary was right. If Jesus had been present, there is no way Lazarus would have died. Her complaint was a legitimate one to a great extent. But notice her expressed faith in Jesus. This must have been so settling and satisfying for Jesus to hear. Jesus’ greatest desire is for us to express our love by our trust. When we pray, we should remember to tell God that we do love and trust Him, right along with our complaint.
Prayer of Mary of Bethany
Scripture: John 11:32
Circumstances: Mary and Martha’s brother, Lazarus died. Since they had sent a message to Jesus about Lazarus being sick, they had both expected Jesus to arrive sooner to heal Lazarus. But now, Jesus finally arrives four days after Lazarus is buried.
Type of prayer: When Mary goes to Jesus, she immediately breaks out in what could be considered a prayer of lament. She falls to her knees at the feet of Jesus, weeping uncontrollably. Through her tears she expresses her pain and grief at the loss of her brother but she doesn’t express the faith of her sister Martha that Jesus could still fix the problem. In fact, Mary is so utterly broken that seeing her lament breaks his heart and moves him to tears.
Lesson: When we are grieving, God hurts too. Separation of loved ones through death was never in his original perfect will. When we find ourselves in unspeakable pain because of grief, it’s fine to pour out your heart to Jesus. And trust too that he’s right beside you crying with you as well.
Prayer of Mother of James and John
Scripture: Matthew 20:20-23
Context: Jesus had selected the twelve who would become his circle of disciples. There was a misunderstanding about his purpose. They believed that he was going to set up an earthly kingdom. Because of this, there was competition among them to see who would occupy the highest seats in the kingdom.
Type of prayer: The mother of James and John desired that her sons occupied the highest seats right beside Jesus. She approached Jesus with a prayer of intercession. Her sons were present and seemed to have put her up to the task of asking Jesus for the highest seats on their behalf.
Lesson: Sometimes our prayers can be guided by the selfishness of our hearts and in the hearts of our loved ones. It gets worse when we misunderstand God and his purpose. We must be careful in our prayers to pray for what God desires instead of our own desires.
Prayer of Syrophoenician (Canaanite) Woman
Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28
Circumstances: This mother had a problem. Her daughter was terribly ill. She was possessed by a demon. It seems she had been struggling with this for a while without help.
Type of prayer: This mother prayed both an intercessory prayer and a prayer of supplication. When she initially approached Jesus, she presented the problem of her demon possessed daughter. She was interceding for her daughter’s healing. Clearly, her daughter was absent and needed her mother to speak up for her. But as the story goes on, she says “Help me”. This is supplication for her own struggles as a mother.
Lesson: Sometimes our loved ones are unable to pray or just cannot show up to pray for themselves. We who are able have a responsibility to do so on their behalf. Praying for them is one the best ministries given to us. For mothers, praying for your children is one of your primary ministries. Whatever is troubling them, whether physically or spiritually, Jesus is interested in hearing about its every detail from your heart.
The Persistent Widow’s Prayer
Scripture: Luke 18:3
Context: This story is a parable told by Jesus therefore the woman is fictional. Jesus tells how this widow was treated unjustly and how she dealt with the unjust judge who refused her justice.
Type of prayer: Hers is an example of a prayer of supplication in just one sentence: Give me justice. She made a request that was simple and straightforward and at the same time, urgent.
Lesson: Prayers don’t need to be long and wordy. They should be simple and straightforward but persistent until they are answered. Even when answers seem to not be coming, keep the prayers going. Especially when there is injustice, continue to plead with God for justice.
Final words on prayers of women in the Bible
Taking a brief look at the actual prayers of some women in Scripture is such a unique study. I pray you were inspired as I was.
Please take these lessons and apply them to your own prayer life. Remember, God wants to hear from you, whether requesting, interceding or praising.
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