A push to change Parliament's prayer has failed, with a majority of MPs - including the entire National caucus - opposing a change.

Speaker David Carter had proposed removing a mention of Jesus Christ and adding a Maori verse to the prayer, which is read at the start of each House sitting day.

Some MPs were critical that religious mentions were buried in the Maori version.

The Greens and Maori Party both supported the change.

But Mr Carter says most of the feedback he had was that the status quo should remain.