34 Songs About Prayer, from Sweet Hour of Prayer to Livin' on a Prayer

What is the most famous song about prayer?

"The Lord's Prayer", set to music by Albert Hay Malotte in 1935, is the most famous prayer song, and "Sweet Hour of Prayer" is the best-known hymn about praying. In pop music, "I Say a Little Prayer" by Aretha Franklin and "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi are the classics.

Hymns about prayer

1. "Sweet Hour of Prayer", William Walford: the classic hymn about time set aside to pray.
2. "What a Friend We Have in Jesus", Joseph Scriven: about bringing every worry to God in prayer.
3. "The Lord's Prayer", Albert Hay Malotte: sung at weddings, funerals and services.
4. "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace", Sebastian Temple: based on the Prayer of St. Francis.
5. "Standing in the Need of Prayer", traditional spiritual: a humble, honest prayer.
6. "I Must Tell Jesus", Elisha Hoffman: a hymn for hard times.
7. "Abide with Me", Henry Francis Lyte: an evening prayer, often sung at funerals.
8. "Kum Ba Yah", traditional spiritual: a simple prayer for help.
9. "Give Me Jesus", traditional spiritual: a quiet morning prayer.

Worship songs that are prayers

10. "The Prayer", Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli: a prayer for someone you love.
11. "Even If", MercyMe: a prayer of faith when healing does not come.
12. "Lord, I Need You", Matt Maher: a simple, honest prayer.
13. "Talking to Jesus", Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music: about prayer as a conversation.
14. "Hold Me Jesus", Rich Mullins: a prayer for comfort.
15. "Draw Me Close", Kelly Carpenter: a gentle worship prayer.
16. "Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying", Ken Medema: a short prayer song for groups.

Gospel prayer songs

17. "Break Every Chain", Tasha Cobbs Leonard: a powerful prayer for freedom.
18. "Intentional", Travis Greene: trusting that God is working.
19. "Can't Give Up Now", Mary Mary: a prayer for strength to keep going.
20. "Order My Steps", GMWA Women of Worship: a prayer for guidance.

Pop and rock songs about prayer

21. "I Say a Little Prayer", Aretha Franklin: a prayer for someone you love, all day long.
22. "Livin' on a Prayer", Bon Jovi: a working couple holding on to hope.
23. "Like a Prayer", Madonna: a gospel choir meets 80s pop.
24. "Pray", Justin Bieber: a prayer for people who are suffering.
25. "Pray", Sam Smith: about trying prayer for the first time.
26. "Praying", Kesha: a song of healing and forgiveness.
27. "Praying for Time", George Michael: a 1990 ballad about a troubled world.
28. "Prayer in C", Lilly Wood and the Prick and Robin Schulz: a dance hit with a folk heart.
29. "Dear God", Avenged Sevenfold: a prayer for a loved one far away.
30. "Pray", MC Hammer: a 1990 hip hop hit about faith.

Country songs about prayer

31. "Unanswered Prayers", Garth Brooks: thankful for the prayers God did not answer.
32. "Why Me", Kris Kristofferson: a humble prayer of gratitude.
33. "Thy Will", Hillary Scott and the Scott Family: a prayer of trust after a loss.
34. "Prayin' for Daylight", Rascal Flatts: waiting for a long night to end.

Why are there so many songs about prayer?

A prayer is already a kind of song: it speaks to someone, asks for something and often repeats a few simple words. That is why hymn writers set prayers to music for centuries, and why pop songwriters borrow the language of prayer for love songs and songs about hope. Some of the songs above are literal prayers, while others use praying as a way to talk about love, worry or gratitude.

Prayer songs for a funeral or memorial

"Abide with Me", "The Lord's Prayer", "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and "Even If" are often chosen for a funeral, because they comfort without needing any explanation. For more, see our Christian and gospel funeral songs.

Prayer songs for a wedding

"The Lord's Prayer" and "The Prayer" are traditional during a church wedding ceremony, and "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace" is a favorite at Catholic weddings. See our Christian wedding songs for more ideas.

Prayer songs for kids and mealtime grace

Many families teach children to pray with music: a sung grace before meals, "Kum Ba Yah" at summer camp or a simple bedtime prayer sung softly. Short, repetitive prayer songs are easy for little ones to learn and remember.

Prayer songs for a small group or prayer meeting

For a small group, Bible study or prayer meeting, open with one quiet song such as "Draw Me Close" or "Lord, I Need You" and close by singing "Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying" together. Keep the words on a screen or a printed sheet so everyone can join in, even people who do not know the songs.

Songs about God and faith

For worship songs about who God is rather than about prayer itself, see our songs about God, and for songs to lift someone up, our songs about hope.

A song that is your own prayer

A personalized song can turn your own prayer into music: a blessing for a newborn, thanks for a parent's life, a prayer for someone going through illness or a song for a baptism or confirmation, with their name in it. It becomes a keepsake they can return to whenever they need it.

How to create a personalized song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: R&B, acoustic, country and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three things you want the song to say or pray for.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Give someone a blessing they can listen to: create a song and hear four previews for free.