"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus." Luke 1:26-31 KJV

<p>Illustration of the Virgin Mary praying at an altar in her room as the archangel Gabriel approaches her to tell her she will give birth to Jesus. Gabriel is knelt on a cloud, his left arm raised. He is holding an olive branch. Above Mary's head, a dove is flying out of a cloud and a shaft of light glows down on Mary's head. A vase with lilies in it sits on the floor.

The Annunciation - the Angel Gabriel Approaches Mary while She is Praying

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,…

Baruch leads the exiles in Babylon to repent and send an offering to Jerusalem to fund Temple service.

Baruch Lifts His Hands in Prayer

Baruch leads the exiles in Babylon to repent and send an offering to Jerusalem to fund Temple service.

The crew of a naval ship in the Revolutionary War praying before they head in to battle.

Before Battle Prayer

The crew of a naval ship in the Revolutionary War praying before they head in to battle.

"And she, being put forward by her mother, saith, Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist. And the king was grieved; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat with him, he commanded it to be given; and he sent and beheaded John in the prison." Matthew 14:8-10 ASV
<p>Illustration of John the Baptist, having just been unshackled, kneeling in prayer while a soldier waits to behead him with an axe. . A shaft of light beams down on John. Salome can be seen just outside the archway with a platter in her hands.

John the Baptist Prays in Prison Just Before His Beheading

"And she, being put forward by her mother, saith, Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.…

Young boy kneeling.

Praying boy

Young boy kneeling.

This illustration shows one fragment of a French cloister built in the Middle Ages. The architecture is Gothic, with pointed arches and vaulted ceilings, Two monks huddle in the passageway. This cloister looks very similar to the cloister at Mont Saint Michel Abbey, though it is not labeled as such.

A Cloister at a French Monastery from the Middle Ages

This illustration shows one fragment of a French cloister built in the Middle Ages. The architecture…

Morte D'Arthur is an illustration that was created by English illustrator Aubrey Beardsley. It depicts an Arthurian romance written by Sir Thomas Malory. This drawing depicts a man kneeling in prayer.

Morte D'Arthur

Morte D'Arthur is an illustration that was created by English illustrator Aubrey Beardsley. It depicts…

"Then the fire of Jehovah fell, and consumed the burnt-offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, Jehovah, he is God; Jehovah, he is God." I Kings 18:38-39 ASV
<p>Illustration of Elijah kneeling before the altar, surrounded by a trench as the people kneel and praise God. The altar has a bull on top of it and it is on fire. Flames shoot down from heaven.

Elijah Praying to God to Set Fire to His Altar in Front of the Prophets of Baal

"Then the fire of Jehovah fell, and consumed the burnt-offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the…

A frontlet that is tied to the head during weekday morning prayers.
<p>"That thou mightest fear The Lord thy God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged ... And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes." Deuteronomy 6:1-8 KJV

Frontlet

A frontlet that is tied to the head during weekday morning prayers. "That thou mightest fear The Lord…

"And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him." Mark 14:32-35 KJV

Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane

"And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while…

"39 And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?" Matthew 26:39-40 ASV
<p>Illustration of Jesus praying, on his knees, hands clasped, as an angel emerges from the clouds, carrying the cross. Peter, James, and John are sleeping nearby. Soldiers are marching out of the city gate, towards the garden, in the background.

Jesus Prays in the Garden of Gethsemane - Peter, James, and John Fall Asleep

"39 And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible,…

“When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep. But they laughed at him.

<p>After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, <i>’Talitha koum!’</i> (which means ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old).” —Mark 5:38-42, NIV</p> 

<p>Illustration of Jesus bringing Jairus' recently deceased, 12-year-old daughter back to life. Jesus is holding the hand of the girl as she raises her upper body from the bed. She wears a laurel crown and Jairus stands behind her bed. A woman kneels next to Jesus. Incense is burning. Two onlookers stand in the background.

The Raising of Jairus' Daughter - Jesus Brings a Young Girl Back to Life

“When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and…

In Judaism, the Western Wall is venerated as the sole remnant of the Holy Temple. It has become a place of pilgrimage for Jews, as it is the closest permitted accessible site to the holiest spot in Judaism, namely the Even ha-shetiya or Foundation Stone, which lies on the Temple Mount.

Wailing Place of the Jews at Jerusalem

In Judaism, the Western Wall is venerated as the sole remnant of the Holy Temple. It has become a place…

"And when he was entered into a boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves: but he was asleep." Matthew 8:23-24 ASV
<p>Illustration of Jesus asleep in the bow of a boat while a tempest rages around him. His disciples are in the boat with him. Four disciples pray to Jesus, the rest are trying to keep the boat from sinking in the waves. The boat has one mast with a collapsed sail.

Jesus Sleeps Through a Storm at Sea

"And when he was entered into a boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great tempest…

A group of slaves attending a religious prayer meeting.

Prayer Meeting

A group of slaves attending a religious prayer meeting.

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican." Luke 18:10 ASV
<p>Illustration of a Pharisee and a publican, also referred to as a tax collector, praying in the temple. The Pharisee is dressed in full priestly costume and robes. He is standing behind the veil, within the room that holds the menorah and incense altar, and praying with his head up and chest out. The publican stands outside of the main room, head bowed, staff in hand.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, or the Tax Collector

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican." Luke 18:10…

"And the jailor, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. And he called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:27-30 ASV
<p>Illustration of the jailer kneeling on one knee at Paul's feet in the jail. Paul stands above him with arms open and Silas is sitting on a bench leaning toward and reaching out for the jailer. A lamp is burning on the ground next to the jailer's sword. The door to the jail is in the corner.

Paul and Silas in Jail - the Jailer Kneels Before Paul

"And the jailor, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was…

"And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands." Acts 12:7

Peter Delivered from Prison by an Angel

"And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter…

"On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." Acts 10:9-15 KJV

Peter's Vision on the Housetop

"On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop…

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get. But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner." Luke 18:10-13
<p>Illustration of two men, one a Pharisee and one a publican, praying in the temple. The Pharisee on the right is standing, while the publican on the left kneels and bows on the steps. Incense burns in a large container behind them.

A Pharisee and a Publican Pray in the Temple

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee…

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get. But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner." Luke 18:10-13
<p>Illustration of two men, one a Pharisee and one a publican, praying on the steps of the temple. The Pharisee in front is standing, while the publican behind him kneels and bows on the steps, arms folded on his chest. Incense burns in a large container behind them.

A Pharisee and a Publican Praying on the Steps of the Temple

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee…

A girl is kneeling by her bed in prayer.

Girl Praying

A girl is kneeling by her bed in prayer.

An old woman appears to be praying for someone she holds in her arms. A crucifix hangs on the wall over the bed.

Woman Praying

An old woman appears to be praying for someone she holds in her arms. A crucifix hangs on the wall over…

"and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Acts 7:58-59 ASV
<p>Illustration of Stephen being stoned to death. He is pictured wearing a deacon's vestments, lying on the ground and looking up to the sky. An angel, carrying a palm frond and the crown of martyrdom, is flying above him. Several men hold stones over their heads. A group of men in robes, including Saul of Tarsus, watch the stoning. A city can be seen in the background.

Stephen Stoned to Death as He Looks up to Heaven

"and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the…