Sirach 35:16-17
Revised Standard Version
16 He whose service is pleasing to the Lord will be accepted,
and his prayer will reach to the clouds.
17 The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds,
and he will not be consoled until it reaches the Lord;[a]
he will not desist until the Most High visits him,
and does justice for the righteous, and executes judgment.
Footnotes
- Sirach 35:17 Or until the Lord draws near
Sirach 7:10
Revised Standard Version
10 Do not be fainthearted in your prayer,
nor neglect to give alms.
Sirach 7:14
Revised Standard Version
14 Do not prattle in the assembly of the elders,
nor repeat yourself in your prayer.
Sirach 18:23
Revised Standard Version
23 Before making a vow,[a] prepare yourself;
and do not be like a man who tempts the Lord.
Footnotes
- Sirach 18:23 Or offering a prayer
Sirach 28:2-4
Revised Standard Version
2 Forgive your neighbor the wrong he has done,
and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray.
3 Does a man harbor anger against another,
and yet seek for healing from the Lord?
4 Does he have no mercy toward a man like himself,
and yet pray for his own sins?
Matthew 6:5-15
Revised Standard Version
Concerning Prayer
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread;[a]
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors;
13 And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.[b]
14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 6:11 Or our bread for the morrow
- Matthew 6:13 Or the evil one. Other authorities, some ancient, add, in some form, For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.