A prayer of petition is a prayer in which we ask God for something we need: forgiveness, healing, guidance, daily bread, help for ourselves or for others. It is the most common way people pray, and Jesus himself told his disciples to ask. Below you will find what the Church and the Bible teach about petition, how it differs from intercession and thanksgiving, the seven petitions of the Our Father, examples of prayer petitions you can use, and a simple way to write your own.
What is a prayer of petition?
The word petition comes from the Latin petere, “to ask” or “to seek”. In a prayer of petition we come to God as children to a father, admitting that we depend on him and trusting that he cares.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists petition among the basic forms of Christian prayer, together with blessing and adoration, intercession, thanksgiving and praise (CCC 2626–2643). It teaches that:
- Asking is a sign of turning back to God. By asking, we recognise that we are creatures who need him (CCC 2629).
- The first thing to ask for is forgiveness. Petition begins with asking pardon, as the tax collector did in the temple: “O God, be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13; CCC 2631).
- Then we ask for the Kingdom, and for everything we need to welcome it and to serve it (CCC 2632).
- No need is too small. Every need can become the object of petition, because Christ took on everything human (CCC 2633).
What the Bible says about asking God
Jesus told his disciples to ask with confidence:
Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.
For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.
St. Paul tells Christians to bring every worry to God in prayer, with thanksgiving. This is the verse behind the phrase “by prayer and petition”:
Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Jesus also promised that the Father hears what is asked in his name:
And in that day you shall not ask me any thing. Amen, amen I say to you: if you ask the Father any thing in my name, he will give it you.
And when we do not know what to ask for, the Holy Spirit prays in us:
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity. For we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit himself asketh for us with unspeakable groanings.
And he that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what the Spirit desireth; because he asketh for the saints according to God.
Petition, intercession and thanksgiving
- Petition is asking God for what we need. It can be for ourselves or for others.
- Intercession is petition made on behalf of someone else. Every intercession is a petition, but not every petition is an intercession. See what is intercessory prayer.
- Thanksgiving thanks God for what he has already given. St. Paul joins the two: petitions “with thanksgiving”.
- Praise and adoration honour God simply for who he is, not for what he gives.
A balanced prayer life includes all of them. One easy pattern is ACTS: Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, Supplication (petition).
The seven petitions of the Our Father
The Our Father, the prayer Jesus taught, is made almost entirely of petitions. After the opening address it contains seven requests (CCC 2803–2854):
- Hallowed be thy name.
- Thy kingdom come.
- Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
- Give us this day our daily bread.
- Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
- Lead us not into temptation.
- Deliver us from evil.
The first three ask for God’s glory; the last four bring him our needs. It is the model for every prayer of petition.
Examples of prayer petitions
For yourself
- Lord, forgive me for the ways I have hurt others this week, and give me the grace to begin again.
- Father, I do not know which way to turn. Show me your will and give me the courage to follow it.
- Lord Jesus, I am anxious about tomorrow. Give me your peace and help me trust you one day at a time.
- Holy Spirit, give me patience at home and wisdom at work.
- Lord, if it is your will, heal me, and in all things keep me close to you.
For your family
- Father, bless my family. Keep us united, patient and kind to one another.
- Lord, protect my children wherever they go today, and help them grow in faith.
- Lord, heal the wounds in our family and lead us to forgiveness.
- Give my parents health and peace in their old age.
For others and for the world
- Lord, comfort all who are sick, especially those I love, and give strength to those who care for them.
- Father, give work to the unemployed and bread to the hungry.
- Lord, bring peace where there is war and reconciliation where there is hatred.
- Grant eternal rest to all who have died, and console those who mourn.
Short prayer of petition
Lord, you know what I need before I ask. Give me what is good for me, keep from me what would harm me, and help me to do your will. Amen.
How to write your own prayer petitions
- Begin by addressing God: “Father”, “Lord Jesus”, “Holy Spirit”.
- Recall something he has done: “You fed the hungry crowd…”, “You healed the sick…”.
- Ask clearly and simply: say exactly what you need, for whom.
- Ask for his will: “if it is your will” or “as you know best”.
- End with thanks and trust: “through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
For a full template with examples, see how to write a prayer.
Petitions at Mass and prayer petitions to the saints
At every Mass the congregation offers petitions for the Church, the world, those in need and the local community. These are the Prayer of the Faithful, also called the general intercessions or prayers of intercession.
Catholics also ask the saints to pray for their needs. Many write petitions to St. Jude or send prayer intentions to the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. A petition to a saint asks for their prayers; it is always God who answers.
Frequently asked questions
What does “by prayer and petition” mean?
It comes from Philippians 4:6. St. Paul tells Christians not to be anxious but to bring every request to God, together with thanksgiving.
Is it selfish to pray for myself?
No. Jesus taught us to ask for our daily bread and for forgiveness. Asking for our own needs is an act of trust, as long as we also pray for others and accept God’s will.
Why doesn’t God always give what I ask?
God always hears, but he answers as a father who knows what is truly good for us. Jesus himself prayed “not my will, but thine be done” (Luke 22:42).
What is the difference between prayer and petition?
Prayer is any conversation with God. Petition is one kind of prayer: the kind that asks.