7 Prayers to Say for Your Friends

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

Friendships can be the equivalent to family, as this verse states, for some friends can be closer to their friends than even their own family members are. The saying goes that you can’t pick your family, but you can pick your friends, and many people might see their friends as their family.

So, one of the greatest gifts you can give your friends is prayer. We can pray for their needs and for the blessing of God’s presence to guide them each day.

Not sure where to start on prayers for your friends? We have seven examples for you to use that will not only draw you closer to your friend, but also closer to the Lord.

1. A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Dear Friends

Heavenly Father,

Thank you so much for my friends and the spiritual impact they have made in my life. As Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” That is why I am praying a prayer of thanksgiving for my friends who have sharpened me. I am so thankful for them in my life, through the good times and bad, reminding me of God’s love and Christ’s sacrifice that allows me to face each day. I pray for nothing but thanksgiving for them, and that our friendship will only continue to blossom, sharpening one another for God’s glory.

I pray this in Jesus’s name,

Amen.

2. A Prayer for a Friend Who Doesn’t Know Christ

Dear Abba Father,

My heart is heavy today as I lift up in my prayers my friend who doesn’t know You, Christ, in a personal way. Although I have shared regularly how much my life has changed since accepting Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross, my friend doesn’t seem as drawn to believe as I am. I know that my friend needs a relationship with You, and that the only way to You is through Jesus (John 14:6). I pray that my friend will open their heart to what You have to offer them in terms of healing, mercy, love, and guidance.

I pray this in Jesus’s name,

Amen.

3. A Prayer for a Friend Who Is Going through Difficulties

God,

I lift up my friend today as they face challenges that have really tested a lot of things in life. As I spend time with my friend, I can see the pain on their face, the uncertainty of what to do next to alleviate this difficulty. I wish I could take away the pain and restore their hope again, but that would be taking the place of You for them. So, I ask in prayer for spiritual guidance and grace for my friend as they combat this difficulty ahead. May they turn to You more to themselves, and know You will never leave them. “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born out of adversity” (Prov. 17:7).

In Jesus’s name,

Amen.

4. A Prayer for When You’ve Been Hurt by a Friend

Heavenly Father,

I come to You with a humble heart and ask for Your guidance for this challenging situation I am having with my friend. My friend has hurt me, without cause or reason, and I am not sure how to approach the situation now. Should I confront my friend about their actions, or should I let it go but stew about it for years? We are commanded in Colossians 3:13 to bear and forgive one another as Christ forgives us, so please bless me with the guidance to know how to handle this situation. If I want to still be friends with my friend, please help me to extend the grace and love to them that You extend to us. Thank you for Your time in listening to my prayer, and I pray better things can come from this situation.

In Jesus’s name,

Amen.

5. A Prayer for When You Need God to Send a Friend

Heavenly Father,

I ask for a person chosen by You to come forward and be a friend to me. Lately, I have felt that when I needed a friend, I couldn’t find one anywhere near me. So, I ask in prayer for You to send me a friend right now to come and comfort me as only a true friend from God can. King David said in Psalm 133:1, “how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” If You called us to be in unity with one another, could You consider answering my prayer for a friend, or even a new friend, to come and be with me through this time? Thank you for considering my request and always being there for me when a friend is not available.

In Jesus’s name,

Amen.

6. A Prayer for Wisdom and Guidance for Your Friend

Abba Father,

I come to You for wisdom and guidance to bestow upon my friend at this time. Lord, I don’t know the words to say to help in any way, but You always know the words to say. Psalm 119:105 says Your Word “is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” With that said, I pray my friend will receive this wisdom and guidance from You, straight from Your Word, as they grapple with what they are going through or have questions about. I pray I can be a comfort to my friend at this time, pointing them back to You whenever possible. Thank you for my friend and the help You will provide for them.

In Jesus’s name, I pray,

Amen.

7. A Prayer for a Friend Struggling with Doubt

Heavenly Father,

I seek Your guidance with helping my friend who is struggling with doubt. Knowing we all have struggled with doubt at one point or another on our faith walk, I can attest that it is difficult not to doubt when a situation may not be shaping up as we would like. However, James 1:6 says we are to ask in faith and not doubt, “for he who doubts is like a wave on a sea driven and tossed by the wind.” I pray my friend, and all of us, exchange doubt for faith that even though we don’t see the outcome for the situation we are in, You do and will turn everything for good to those who follow you (Rom. 8:28).

In Jesus’s name, I pray,

Amen.

The gift of prayer for a friend is one that continues to give long after the initial prayer request was given. Knowing someone took the time to pray for a situation we are facing or just to ask God for favor over your life is more meaningful than anyone can imagine. And God delights in hearing others pray for their friends, even if it is because they want to forgive them for hurting them.

I pray that these prayers will be used to bring encouragement, joy, and understanding for your friends as they deal with different circumstances, and that these prayer requests will only draw all of us closer to God.

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Blair Parke is a freelance writer for BibleStudyTools.com and freelance book editor who wrote her first book, "Empty Hands Made Full," in 2021 about her journey through infertility with her husband. She previously worked for eight years with Xulon Press as an editor. A graduate of Stetson University with a bachelor's in communications, Blair previously worked as a writer/editor for several local magazines in the Central Florida area, including Celebration Independent and Lake Magazine and currently writes for the Southwest Orlando Bulletin. She's usually found with a book in her hand or enjoying quality time with her husband Jeremy and dog Molly. You can order her book at Christian Author Bookstore - Xulon Press Publishing and visit her website at Parkeplaceediting.