Genesis 48:22
וַאֲנִי נָתַתִּי לְךָ שְׁכֶם אַחַדעַל אַחֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר לָקַחְתִּי מִיַּד הָאֱמֹרִי בְּחַרְבִּי וּבְקַשְׁתִּי
I gave you one portion more than your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Emorites with my sword and with my bow.
The Targum understands “sword” and “bow” as metaphors for prayer. Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik tells us that a sword is used for fighting up close; that corresponds to prayers for one’s own immediate needs. A bow is used for fighting at a great distance; that corresponds to prayers for the nation’s long-term well-being. (From The First Blessing of the Day, cited in the Mesoras HaRav Chumash.)