25 Prayers in the Old & New Testaments -- A to Z Quiz

Answer: Sodom

According to Scripture, Abraham made a solemn request to God for Sodom to be spared from destruction if ten righteous souls could be found in the city. Abraham's prayer was issued in a lengthy and direct conversation with the LORD. Sodom, along with Gomorrah, would later be destroyed by brimstone and fire. Notes in the NKJV Study Bible state the destruction took place because ten righteous people could not be found.

The study notes state one of the reasons for Abraham's concern about Sodom is the fact his nephew Lot and his family lived in the city. Although Sodom and Gomorrah were both destroyed, Lot and his family were spared.

However, Genesis 19:26 reports Lot's wife defied the LORD'S command not to look back on Sodom as they were fleeing and she was turned into a pillar of salt.

Extensive study notes about prayer in Scripture, cite the lengthy conversation involving Abraham and God as one of 80 examples of prayer in the Old Testament and the New Testament of the English Bible.

Here's how Genesis 18:16-33 in the NKJV records the lengthy conversation:
"Then the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way. And the LORD said, 'Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.' And the LORD said, 'Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know."

"Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD. And Abraham came near and said, 'Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

"So the LORD said, 'If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.'

"Then Abraham answered and said, 'Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the LORD: Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?'

"So He said, 'If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it.'

"And he spoke to Him yet again and said, 'Suppose there should be forty found there?'

"So He said, 'I will not do it for the sake of forty.'

"Then he said, 'Let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak: Suppose thirty should be found there?'

"So He said, 'I will not do it if I find thirty there.'

"And he said, 'Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the LORD: Suppose twenty should be found there?'

"So He said, 'I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.'

"Then he said, 'Let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?'

"And He said, 'I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.' So the LORD went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place."

Answer: The priests, or the Levites

The correct answer is the priests. Scripture tells of Hezekiah calling on all of Israel to gather in Jerusalem for a celebration of the passover. It was a gala occasion and according to Scripture, it ended with the priests, or the Levites, requesting God for a blessing on His people. Scripture states there was "great joy" in Jerusalem because since the days of King Solomon and his father King David "there had been nothing like this."

2 Chronicles 30:23-25 gives this account of the celebration and the prayer offered up for a blessing: "The whole assembly of Judah rejoiced, also the priests and Levites, all the assembly that came from Israel, the sojourners who came from the land of Israel, and those who dwelt in Judah. So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. Then the priests, the Levites, arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard; and their prayer came up to His holy dwelling place, to heaven."

Answer: Enlightenment

According to Scripture, Cornelius prayed for enlightenment. Cornelius was among the first Gentile believers in the early church. His story is told in the tenth chapter of Acts. According to Scripture, Cornelius was a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. Although centurions were the elite of a ruthless Roman killing machine, they are portrayed in a remarkably good light in the New Testament.

As per notes in the NKJV Study Bible, Cornelius was seeking enlightenment when he poured out his heart to the Lord. That prayer was answered with Peter arriving at his house and spending time with him and other Gentiles. It was a watershed moment for the early church because up to this point in time, believers in a resurrected Jesus Christ were basically all Jews.

The story of Cornelius, and his prayer, is told in Acts 10:1-48:

"There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, 'Cornelius!'

And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, 'What is it, lord?'

"So he said to him, 'Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.' And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Peter's Vision
"The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.'

"But Peter said, 'Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.'

"And a voice spoke to him again the second time, 'What God has cleansed you must not call common.' This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

Summoned to Caesarea
"Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate. And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.

"While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, 'Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.

"Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, 'Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?'

"And they said, 'Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.' Then he invited them in and lodged them.

"On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

Peter Meets Cornelius
"And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, 'Stand up; I myself am also a man.' And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. Then he said to them, 'You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?'

"So Cornelius said, 'Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.' So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God'.

Preaching to Cornelius' Household
"Then Peter opened his mouth and said: 'In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ -- He is Lord of all -- that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.'

The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles
"While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

"Then Peter answered, 'Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?' And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days."

Answer: Boldness

According to Scripture, the disciples prayed for boldness. The prayer was issued while members of the early church were facing immense persecution.

Acts 4:24-31, in the NKJV, tells things this way: "...they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: 'Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:

'Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.'

'For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus'.

"And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness."

Answer: 450

Elijah squared off against 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, according to 1 Kings 18. Scripture states the showdown was called between Elijah and the prophets of Baal to see who could call upon a higher power to ignite a sacrificial offering on Mount Carmel. The 450 prophets called on Baal and Elijah called on the LORD with Elijah being the clear winner, according to Scripture.

Elijah is well known for many things, but perhaps the best known story involving him is his duel with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel.

Elijah's prayer is contained in 1 Kings 18:36-37. To give the prayer context, here's how Verses 36 through to 39 read in the NKJV: "And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, 'LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.'

"Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, 'The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!'"

Answer: Hezekiah

Hezekiah is the correct answer. He was the fourteenth king of Israel, according to Wikipedia. The prophet Isaiah told Hezekiah to get his house in order "for you shall die, and not live," as per 2 Kings 20:1. Hezekiah then pored out his heart to the LORD immediately after Isaiah left and Scripture reports the prophet promptly received a message from the LORD.

2 Kings 20:4-6, in the NKJV Bible, states: "And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 'Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father': 'I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD. And I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake, and for the sake of My servant David'."

Answer: Manoah

Manoah is the correct answer. Not much is known about Manoah, but Scripture states he was from Zorah, of the tribe of Dan, and his wife was barren. No name is given for his wife. According to Wikipedia, Manoah means 'rest' or 'quiet'.

Details about his prayer for guidance is told in Judges 13:8-15. To give the prayer request context, here's how Verses 8 through to 24 read in the NKJV"

"Again the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.

"Now there was a certain man from Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and had no children. And the Angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, 'Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. Now therefore, please be careful not to drink wine or similar drink, and not to eat anything unclean. For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.'

"So the woman came and told her husband, saying, 'A Man of God came to me, and His countenance was like the countenance of the Angel of God, very awesome; but I did not ask Him where He was from, and He did not tell me His name. And He said to me, 'Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. Now drink no wine or similar drink, nor eat anything unclean, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death.'

"Then Manoah prayed to the LORD, and said, 'O my LORD, please let the Man of God whom You sent come to us again and teach us what we shall do for the child who will be born.'

"And God listened to the voice of Manoah, and the Angel of God came to the woman again as she was sitting in the field; but Manoah her husband was not with her. Then the woman ran in haste and told her husband, and said to him, 'Look, the Man who came to me the other day has just now appeared to me!'

"So Manoah arose and followed his wife. When he came to the Man, he said to Him, 'Are You the Man who spoke to this woman?' And He said, 'I am.'

"Manoah said, 'Now let Your words come to pass! What will be the boy's rule of life, and his work?'

"So the Angel of the Lord said to Manoah, 'Of all that I said to the woman let her be careful. She may not eat anything that comes from the vine, nor may she drink wine or similar drink, nor eat anything unclean. All that I commanded her let her observe.'

"Then Manoah said to the Angel of the LORD, 'Please let us detain You, and we will prepare a young goat for You.'

"And the Angel of the LORD said to Manoah, 'Though you detain Me, I will not eat your food. But if you offer a burnt offering, you must offer it to the LORD.' (For Manoah did not know He was the Angel of the LORD.)

"Then Manoah said to the Angel of the LORD, 'What is Your name, that when Your words come to pass we may honor You?'

"And the Angel of the LORD said to him, 'Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?'

"So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it upon the rock to the LORD. And He did a wondrous thing while Manoah and his wife looked on -- it happened as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar -- the Angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground. When the Angel of the LORD appeared no more to Manoah and his wife, then Manoah knew that He was the Angel of the LORD.

"And Manoah said to his wife, 'We shall surely die, because we have seen God!'
But his wife said to him, 'If the LORD had desired to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things, nor would He have told us such things as these at this time.'

"So the woman bore a son and called his name Samson; and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him. And the Spirit of the LORD began to move upon him at Mahaneh Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol."

Answer: A leper

The correct answer is a leper. The unnamed leper approached Jesus just after He gave his famous message called Sermon on the Mount.

Here's how the incident is recalled in Matthew 8:1-3 in the NKJV: "When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, 'Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.' Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, 'I am willing; be cleansed.' Immediately his leprosy was cleansed."

Before this miracle, the only record of an Israelite being healed of leprosy was Miriam in Numbers 12:10-15, according to notes in the NKJV Study Bible. Miriam was the sister of Moses and Aaron.

Answer: For children

Isaac prayed for children for him and his wife Rebekkah, according to Scripture. Women, and men, praying to God for children is a fairly common theme in the Old Testament. Some notable couples who had initial difficulties conceiving were Abraham and Sarah and Jacob and Rachel.

Genesis 25:21 in the NKJV states Isaac "pleaded with the LORD for his wife because she was barren." Scripture goes on to tell of the Isaac's prayer being answered as Rebekkah gave birth to twins -- Esau and Jacob.

Esau is generally acknowledged as the father of the Arab nation while Jacob's twelve sons headed the twelve tribes of Israel.

Answer: Forgiveness of others

While dying on the cross, Jesus prayed for the forgiveness of others. Scripture tells of the people mocking and taunting Jesus, basically telling Him to come down from the cross if He is indeed the Son of God. Prior to this, He had been severely flogged and beaten by ruthless Roman soldiers. The barbaric torture took place after He had been mocked and ridiculed by the leaders of the day.

Here's how Jesus' prayer is recalled in Luke 23:32-34 in the NKJV: "There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do'."

Answer: 1 Timothy

The correct answer is 1 Timothy with instruction for such prayer found in Verses 1-2 of the second chapter.

To put the passage in context, here's how 1 Timothy 2:1-6 reads in the NKJV: "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

Timothy was a worker in the early church who labored alongside Paul. He was known for being young and timid.

Answer: Matthew and Luke

The prayer is found in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. In Matthew, the prayer is part of Christ's famous Sermon on the Mount.

To give the prayer context, here's how it appears in Mathew 6:5-15 in the NKJV:
"'And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

"'Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses'."

Answer: His successor

Moses' prayer in Numbers 27:15-17 was for his successor. Chosen to succeed him was Joshua, son of Nun. During his leadership of the Israelite nation in its exodus out of Egypt, Moses had been assisted by his brother Aaron and sister Miriam.

Numbers 27:12-23 from the NKJV is presented to give context to the prayer of Moses:
"Now the LORD said to Moses: 'Go up into this Mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel. And when you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered. For in the Wilderness of Zin, during the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against My command to hallow Me at the waters before their eyes.' (These are the waters of Meribah, at Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin.)

"Then Moses spoke to the LORD, saying: 'Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, who may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be like sheep which have no shepherd."

"And the LORD said to Moses: 'Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and inaugurate him in their sight. And you shall give some of your authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire before the Lord for him by the judgment of the Urim. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, he and all the children of Israel with him-all the congregation.'

"So Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation. And he laid his hands on him and inaugurated him, just as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses."

Answer: The children of Israel

According to Scripture, Nehemiah prayed for the children of Israel.

Nehemiah is the central figure in the Book of Nehemiah, found in the Minor Prophet section of the Old Testament and the Twelve Prophet section of the Hebrew Bible. He was involved in the monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem.

Here's how Nehemiah 1:4-11 reads in the NKJV:
"So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

"And I said: 'I pray, LORD God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father's house and I have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.' Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. O LORD, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man."

Answer: Peter

Peter is the correct answer. With Christians being imprisoned and executed, it only stands to reason believers were almost constantly praying for each other. However, the only documented case in the New Testament of such a prayer taking place is members of the early church praying for Peter. Prayers were offered up when Peter was imprisoned.

The prayers of the Christian believers were answered big time. Here's how Acts 12:5-12 reads in the NKJV:
"Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, 'Arise quickly!' And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, 'Gird yourself and tie on your sandals'; and so he did. And he said to him, 'Put on your garment and follow me.' So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

"And when Peter had come to himself, he said, 'Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people'."

Answer: Gideon

According to Judges 6:12 in the NKJV Bible, Gideon means "mighty man of valor."
He was a judge of Israel and his story appears in chapters 6 through 8 in Judges. When the LORD told Gideon he would be used to save the people of Israel, Scripture indicates he was filled with doubt. So to make sure what he had been told to him was true, Gideon told the LORD to confirm the fact by giving him a sign.

To this end, Gideon announced he would put a wool fleece on the threshing floor and if there was dew only on the fleece and all the ground was dry, he would know that he would indeed be able to save the people of Israel. Scripture reports Gideon rose early the next day and he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew -- a bowlful of water. But this wasn't enough for him. Much like a doubting Thomas, he demanded yet another sign. Then Gideon said he would conduct one more test with the fleece, "but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew."

Scripture reports Gideon found the fleece was dry and all the ground was covered with dew. His prayer was answered and Gideon went on to live up to his name of being a mighty man of valor.

Answer: False

False. There is no documentation in the Book of Esther about the queen praying to God for help, although it is highly likely she would have done so.

Incidentally, Esther is the only book in the Old Testament that does not have a direct reference to God in it.

Esther and her cousin Mordecai teamed up to prevent Haman's diabolical plan for extermination of the Jews from coming to fruition.

Answer: Lazarus

Lazarus is the correct answer. In the cases where Jesus raised the widow's son at Nain and Jairus daughter from the dead, Jesus did not offer up a prayer.

In the case of the widow's son, He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." And the young man did just that, according to Luke 7:11-16. And in the case of Jairus daughter, Jesus used much the same words. He is quoted in Luke 8:54 as saying, "Little girl, arise." Scripture states life returned to the dead girl while her "astonished" parents looked on.

Here's how Scripture tells of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, as documented in John 11:38-42 in the NKJV:
"Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, 'Take away the stone.'

"Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, 'Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.'

"Jesus said to her, 'Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?' Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, 'Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.' Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come forth!' And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Loose him, and let him go'."

Answer: Samson

Samson was betrayed by his mistress Delilah. Scripture states he had immense strength, enabling him to wrestle with a lion and slay 1,000 soldiers with only the jawbone of a donkey. When Delilah discovered the secret to Samson's super strength was his long hair, she had his locks cut and delivered the immensely weakened Samson to his enemies, who blinded and imprisoned him.

Samson's prayer was issued after his capture. While in a temple used by the Philistines, Samson called upon the LORD for extra strength and was successful in damaging two middle pillars which brought the entire building down, killing a large number of his adversaries.

Judges 16:28-30, in the NKJV, tells of Samson's prayer to God:
"Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, 'O LORD God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!' And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars which supported the temple, and he braced himself against them, one on his right and the other on his left. Then Samson said, 'Let me die with the Philistines!' And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life."

Answer: Mercy

The tax collector prayed for mercy.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector is found in Luke 18:9-14. Here's how it reads in the NKJV:
"Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 'Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men -- extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

In Biblical times, tax payers were loathed by the Jews because they were seen as traitors working for the Romans. What's more, tax collectors often over charged the people and pocketed the difference.

Answer: Rebekah

Rebekah is the correct answer.

Genesis 25:22-27, in the NKJV, tells of a pregnant Rebekah's communication with the LORD:

"But the children struggled together within her; and she said, 'If all is well, why am I like this?' So she went to inquire of the LORD.

"And the LORD said to her:
'Two nations are in your womb,
Two peoples shall be separated from your body;
One people shall be stronger than the other,
And the older shall serve the younger.'

"So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau. Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau's heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them."

Esau is generally regarded as the father of the Arab nation while Jacob had twelve sons who headed the twelve tribes of Israel. Scripture states Esau was "a skillful hunter, a man of the field" and was favored by Isaac. Meanwhile, Scripture states Jacob was "a mild man, dwelling in tents" and he was favored by Rebekah.

Answer: Jehoshaphat

Jehoshaphat is the correct answer. Scripture states he was the son of King Asa and he became the fourth king of Judah. After reigning for 25 years, Jehoshaphat was succeeded by his son Jehoram. Jehoshaphat attempted to end idolatry and did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as per 1 Kings 22:43 but Scripture states the people continued to burn incense in the high places.

Despite his apparent love for the LORD, Jehoshaphat formed an alliance with King Ahab and his wife Jezebel of the northern kingdom. Ahab and Jezebel were two of the most unpopular people in the Old Testament, largely because of their persecution of the LORD'S prophets and their worship of other gods.

Jehoshaphat's prayer was issued in the heat of battle when he and Ahab were being attacked by the army of the king of Syria.

2 Chronicles 18:28-31 explains things this way in the NKJV:
"So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, 'I will disguise myself and go into battle; but you put on your robes.' So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.

"Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots who were with him, saying, 'Fight with no one small or great, but only with the king of Israel.'

"So it was, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, 'It is the king of Israel!' Therefore they surrounded him to attack; but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God diverted them from him. For so it was, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him. Now a certain man drew a bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, 'Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am wounded.' The battle increased that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Syrians until evening; and about the time of sunset he died."

Answer: Solomon

The correct answer is Solomon. He was the son of David and Bathsheba and his reign is seen as the golden era of the Israeli nation in Biblical times.

Here's how Solomon's request for wisdom is documented in 1 Kings 3:5-14, in the NKJV:
"At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, 'Ask! What shall I give you?'

"And Solomon said: 'You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?'

"The speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: 'Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days'."

Answer: Hannah

Hannah's story is told in the first chapter of 1 Samuel which is devoted to the birth of Samuel. Scripture reports Hannah was married to Elkanah, who had a second wife named Peninnah. While Peninnah was giving birth to children, Hannah was barren, a status that depressed her immensely. Making matters worse, Peninnah would apparently remind Hannah she was unable to conceive, simply to provoke her.

In 1 Samuel 1:11, in the NKJV, Hannah issues a prayer: "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head."

The chapter concludes by stating in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "because I asked the LORD for him."

Samuel would rise up to become a noted prophet, judge and military leader.

Answer: A son

Zechariah prayed to God for a son, as per Luke 1:13. His wife was Elizabeth and their son would be John the Baptist, the man Scripture said was sent to make the way for Jesus Christ.

To put things in context, here's how Luke 1:8-17 reads in the NKJV:
"So it was, that while he (Zechariah) was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

"But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."