During an exclusive interview, after he successfully sued the Corporation for invading his privacy, the Christian entertainer told Premier he "leaned" on those prayers.
Offering a message of thanks to fans, the 78-year-old, who recently released a new album, said: "You'll never know how much you helped me and I'm so grateful.
"I just hope I never give you the reason to pray for me again like that. But prayers can keep going - even if someone's well, fit and onto his 104th album."
As part of a special programme, Premier spoke to members of its audience who committed to praying for Sir Cliff - including his long-term friend and fellow musician Rev Cindy Kent.
Some even attended his case at the High Court in London which saw Sir Cliff awarded initial damages in July totaling £210,000.
North London resident, Valmai McLaren, one of those who came to court, said: "When we learned that Sir Cliff would like some fans to be there, I took the opportunity - as did others.
"Seeing him vulnerable as he was - that wasn't a happy place to be. [We were] praying for him through that time because of what was being said, what was being alleged..."
Sir Cliff took the BBC to court over live coverage by BBC News of a police raid on his home in Berkshire four-and-a-half years ago.
Officers had been investigating an allegation of historical sexual assault. Sir Cliff always denied any wrongdoing. He was neither charged nor arrested.
EXCLUSIVE: Sir Cliff Richard on his prayer warrior fans and what the prayerful support of Christians has meant to him during a "terrible" time he has been through in recent years. Catch a special short programme at 1.45pm today on @PremierRadio
— Alexander Williams (@AlexWpremier) December 21, 2018
Rev Cindy Kent told Premier: "He loved the fact that people were praying.
"In fact, when the whole thing was ended, he sent an email to everybody, thanking us for that support."
Referring to the prayers of family members, friends and strangers, he said: "There's always something that's calming about knowing that you're loved in that special way. It was absolutely fantastic.
"I leaned on it all the way through.
"It was a terrible time and I often have asked myself, 'How would I have survived that had I been atheistic, how would I have survived if I believed there was no God."
Click here to listen to the 'Sir Cliff Richard and His Prayer Warrior Fans' programme:
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