Praying for our friends is one of the most important things we can do. Getting caught up in our needs is easy, but praying and interceding for others is just as important. Whether our friends are near or far in our lives, they still need our prayers. Yet, how can we pray for our friends? How do we know what to pray for?
In my experience, I ask my friends what they need prayer for and try to glean as many details as possible. This way, I can pray as specifically for them as possible. Regarding friends who aren't currently in my life, I pray over what I knew they were struggling with the last time we talked and for the Lord to guide them. Doing this makes me feel closer to the Lord and my friends as I pray. Here are some of my favorite prayers when a friend's need comes to mind.
Download these beautiful prayers HERE. Print the PDF version and keep it with you throughout the day to remind yourself to pray for your precious friends.
Short Prayers for a Friend in Need
Heavenly Father, Please bring comfort and strength to my friend during this difficult time. Surround them with Your love and peace. Amen.
Lord, Grant my friend the wisdom and courage to face their challenges. May they feel Your presence and guidance. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Dear God, Please heal my friend’s pain and restore their hope. Let Your light shine in their darkest moments. Amen.
Father in Heaven, Give my friend the patience and resilience they need to overcome their struggles. Be their source of strength. Thank You Lord, Amen.
Lord Jesus, Wrap Your arms around my friend and fill them with Your peace. Help them to trust in Your plan and find comfort in Your love. Amen.
God of Mercy, Please provide for my friend’s needs and protect them from harm. Let them feel Your grace and compassion. We lean on you Father, Amen.
Heavenly Father, Grant my friend the clarity and direction they seek. Guide their steps and open doors for them. Amen.
Dear Lord, Please uplift my friend’s spirit and renew their hope. Give them the strength to face each day with courage. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Gracious God, Surround my friend with supportive and loving people. Let them feel Your presence in every moment. Amen.
Loving Father, Please bring healing and comfort to my friend. May they experience Your peace and find rest in Your presence and promises. Amen.
Prayer for a Friend's Healing
Heavenly Father,
It is so hard to watch _________ suffer. It doesn't seem fair for her to have to endure so much pain. Even though I am powerless, I believe that you are powerful and capable of stepping into this situation and completely altering the outcome. In faith, I am responding to the promises in your word that you listen to our prayers, and those prayers can make her well. So, I am bringing my friend before you to ask for your healing touch in her life. Thank you for the forgiveness of sin and the promise of eternal healing, but I am asking you to provide healing for her on this side of heaven. Amen. ~ Lisa Samra
For a Friend Going Through Hard Times
I come to You with a heavy heart for my friend who is going through hard times. Please grant them strength, courage, and Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Wrap Your loving arms around them, providing comfort and guidance. Help them trust in Your unfailing love and feel Your presence in every step they take.
Surround them with supportive and encouraging people, and protect them from harm. May they find solace in Your word and draw strength from Your promises. I trust in Your divine plan and pray for relief and resolution for my friend's situation.
In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
Prayer for Friend's Health
Heavenly Father, I lift up my dear friend to You, asking for Your healing touch. Lord, You are the ultimate healer, and I pray that You restore my friend's health. Please grant them strength, comfort, and peace during this time of illness.
Surround them with Your love and presence, and guide the hands of their doctors and caregivers. Let Your healing power flow through their body, bringing them relief from pain and a quick recovery.
Lord, I trust in Your mercy and compassion. Please renew their strength each day and fill them with hope. May they feel Your presence and draw comfort from Your promises.
In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
A Prayer for a Friend's Strength and Wisdom
Thank you, Lord, for being there for my friend and allowing me to cry out to you in my times of need on their behalf.
It is amazing to me that the Lord of the Universe would take time to listen to me and to care about what I say.
God, there are things happening around my friend right now that I do not understand. Some of these things make her feel weak, helpless and afraid. Even in the midst of this, help her know that you are the Lord. I know that the situation is in Your hand, and I trust You.
I beseech you for strength and for wisdom that she would be able to endure this situation and be able to handle it in a way that would bring glory to Your name.vIn Jesus name. Amen.
An Encouraging Prayer for a Friend
Dear Lord,
I pray for my friend right now. I pray that you will help them with the struggles they are going through this season, for you know precisely what they need at this moment. Draw near to them and let them feel your presence. Open their eyes, ears, and hearts to you. Help them have the discernment to hear your voice as you lead them in their next steps. Speak to them as they read your word, and bring verses of encouragement and comfort to their attention.
I pray that you will calm any fear or anxiety they may be feeling. Replace it with the confidence to obey your word and to trust you. I pray that your guidance will be apparent to them from this day forward. In your name, I pray. Amen.
A Prayer for a Friend That is Suffering
Heavenly Father,
It is so hard to watch _________ suffer. It doesn't seem fair for her to have to endure so much pain. Even though I am powerless, I believe that you are powerful and capable of stepping into this situation and completely altering the outcome. In faith, I am responding to the promises in your word that you listen to our prayers, and those prayers can make her well. So, I am bringing my friend before you to ask for your healing touch in her life. Thank you for the forgiveness of sin and the promise of eternal healing, but I am asking you to provide healing for her on this side of heaven. Amen. - Lisa Samra
Prayer for a Friend's Success
Loving Father, I lift up my dear friend to You, asking for Your blessings and favor upon their endeavors. Please guide them with Your wisdom and grant them the clarity to make the right decisions. Help them to remain focused, diligent, and resilient in the face of challenges. May Your hand be upon their work, and may they find success in all they pursue.
Lord, I pray that my friend's efforts bear fruit and that they achieve their goals. Let their success be a testament to Your goodness and grace. Surround them with supportive and encouraging people, and open doors of opportunity that lead to growth and fulfillment. May they always remain humble and grateful, giving You all the glory for their achievements. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer for a Friends Health
Father God, I come before You with a heartfelt prayer for my friend who is in need of Your healing touch. Lord, You are the Great Physician, and I ask that You bring complete healing to their body, mind, and spirit. Grant them the strength and courage to endure this difficult time and fill them with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Please guide the hands of their doctors and caregivers, providing them with the wisdom and skill to offer the best possible care.
Lord, I trust in Your mercy and compassion. Please surround my friend with Your love and presence, bringing comfort and hope to their heart. Let Your healing power flow through every part of their being, restoring them to full health. May they feel Your presence and draw comfort from Your promises. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer for a Friend's Happiness and Joy
Loving Father, I come before You with a joyful heart, asking for Your blessings upon my friend. Please fill their life with happiness and joy, bringing them moments of laughter and peace. Help them to see the beauty in everyday moments and to find contentment in Your love. May Your joy be their strength, lifting their spirits even in challenging times.
Lord, I pray that my friend experiences Your abundant blessings and that their heart overflows with gratitude and praise. Surround them with loving and supportive people who bring out the best in them. Let Your light shine brightly in their life, guiding them towards a future filled with hope and happiness. May they always feel Your presence and draw comfort from Your unfailing love. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
A Healing Prayer for a Sick Friend
Lord Jesus, thank you that you love [name of the person who needs healing]. I know that you hate what their illness is doing to them/me. In the name of Jesus, I ask that you would heal this disease, have compassion, and bring healing from all sickness.
Your word says in Psalm 107:19-20 that when we call out to you, the Eternal one, you will give the order, heal, and rescue us from certain death. I have read of miraculous healing in the Bible, and I believe that you still heal the same way today. I think there is no illness you cannot recover from after all. The bible tells of you raising people from the dead, so I ask for your healing in this situation.
I also know from my experience of life on Earth that not everyone is healed. If that happens here, keep my heart soft towards you, and help me understand your plan.
Lord Jesus, thank you that our hope for healing is in you. If there are doctors or treatments that you would want to use to heal this disease, I pray that you would guide [name of person who needs healing] to them. I ask for wisdom and discernment about which treatments to pursue.
God, I thank you that [name of the person who needs healing] belongs to you and that you control everything that happens from our first breath to our last sigh. Amen. ~ Wendy Van Eyck
A Prayer for Friend's Loss of a Loved One
Father God, I lift my friend mourning a loved one. I ask that You would bring her comfort amid this life-shaking event. Thank you for Your promise to walk with and even carry her as she travels through the darkness of grief. Let her not be overcome with sadness, as those who have no hope, but to be strengthened by an awareness of Your presence. Protect her heart and mind. I pray a sense of calm would take hold, even while emotions around her run high, and the peace you give her would overflow onto those nearby.
Father, You know what will minister the most to my friend spiritually and emotionally right now. Gently lead her to find the balance between being alone and being with others. Speak to her through Scripture. Show her Your love through the words and actions of someone else. Help her find moments of solace in the natural world You've created. Thank You for being the God of all comfort, the One who holds us in Your hand. It says in Your Word that one day, there will be no more death. But for now, I praise You for saving my friend close and giving her rest.
In Jesus' Name, Amen. ~ Heather Adams
Prayer for a Grieving Friend
Heavenly Father, I come to You with a heavy heart, lifting up my dear friend who is engulfed in grief. Lord, You know the depth of their pain and the sorrow they carry. I ask that You comfort them in their time of need, wrapping Your loving arms around them and providing a sense of peace that only You can give. Help them to feel Your presence and to know that they are not alone in their suffering.
Lord, please grant my friend the strength to face each day and the courage to move forward. Ease their burden and lighten their heart with Your gentle touch. Surround them with supportive and compassionate people who can offer solace and understanding. Let Your healing love flow into their life, mending the brokenness and restoring hope. May they find comfort in Your promises and draw strength from Your unfailing love. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer for A Friend Who is Hurting
Dear God, Our hearts are burdened for our friends who are hurting right now. We ask that you would be their comforter and cover them with your infinite grace and mercy, surrounding them in peace during this dark season. We pray for fresh grace, for renewed strength, and for your goodness and mercy over their lives today.
We thank you that you alone are our refuge and strong tower. We thank you that no matter what we face, you are still on the throne and in control, and nothing can ever stand against you. Thank you for holding the victory in this world, and you have promised in your Word that you will be with us through any hardship we may face.
We know that only in you do we have the hope to face dark and uncertain times, for our future is held secure through the gift of Christ. We ask you to extend your hope and compassion to our loved ones. In these days when they're struggling or seem to have lost their way at times, would you please remind them that you are still here? With them. Close. That you are more significant than this storm they're facing, and you promise to hold them secure. All these burdens we carry for our friend today lie at your feet, Lord. We give them to you, and we thank you that you hear our prayers and are at work on their behalf even now. ~ Debbie McDaniel
A Prayer for God's Presence
Thank you, God, for always being with us, for your presence to be mighty, and for hearing our prayers on behalf of those we love. We ask that you show yourself strong on their behalf. Remind them that nothing is too complicated for you, and you are leading them through this challenging time, covering them in your care. We know and believe, beyond any doubt, that your power and love will never fail.
You are always trustworthy. You are all-powerful. You are fully able. You are Lord over every situation, no matter how difficult it may seem. You are our healer and will never waste the pain we carry today. You promise to use all things for good in some way because you are a God of miracles, and nothing is too complicated for you.
Thank you for fightingfor fighting for us, even when we can't see what you're doing, even when we can't fully understand your ways. We know that nothing can ever separate us from your great love and care, and our loved ones are safe in your hands. In Jesus' Name, Amen. ~ Debbie McDaniel
A Prayer for A Friend's Salvation
Sovereign Lord, We thank You that you spoke into the darkness at the beginning and created heaven and earth. If all creation responds to Your voice, if the winds move and the mountains shake at Your command, how can we doubt that You are the Creator, the ruler of all?
Thank you for the life of my friend. Please open his eyes, Lord, that he may see Your presence, just like You opened the eyes of Elisha's servant, and he saw the hills covered by horses and chariots of heavenly fire.
Help my friend to see what l see when l look upon Your face, precious Lord, for You are worthy to be honored. In Jesus' name, Amen. ~ Madaline Twooney
A Prayer for Peace of Mind
Almighty God, We bless you for our lives; we give you praise for your abundant mercy and grace we receive. We thank you for your faithfulness even though we are not that faithful to you.
Lord Jesus, we ask you to give us all-around peace in our mind, body, soul, and spirit. We want you to heal and remove everything that is causing stress, grief, and sorrow in our lives.
Please guide our path through life and make our enemies be at peace with us. Let your peace reign in our family, at work, businesses, and everything we lay our hands on. Let your angels of peace go ahead of us when we go out and stay by our side when we return. In Jesus' name, Amen. ~ praywithme.com
Prayer for a Friend Struggling With Faith
Merciful Lord and Savior, We thank You that You never loosen Your hold on us, no matter what we are going through, for You are always faithful, even when we are not.
As You know, Lord, my friend has decided she doesn't want to walk with You anymore. I pray that this change of heart is temporary and that, like the prodigal son, she will make her way back home to You, where You will welcome her back with open arms.
We thank You that with You, we will always find grace. An, that we will always belong to You, and You to us. In Jesus' name, Amen. ~ Madaline Twooney
A Prayer for Broken Friendship
Lord, today I come to you hurting. This wound from a friend is almost more than I can bear. I feel broken hearted, and I want justice. Lord, I know that justice is not mine to give, so I come to you open-handed. Here is the friendship that has wounded me so much, Lord- take this hurt from me; help me feel your peace and your love toward me now.
I don't want to extend grace. But I know you have been so gracious toward me- all my life you have lavished grace on me as I've sinned against you. Help me be humble. Help me see my part to play. Help me give grace and love toward my friend.
Soften my friend's heart toward me now- let them return grace to me too. In Jesus' Name, Amen. ~ Anne Dahlhauser
Prayer for a Friend's Wedding & Marriage
Father in Heaven, thank You for this husband, ______, and wife, _______, and their commitment to Christian marriage. As we look ahead, we pray that their future will never lack the convictions that make a marriage strong.
Bless this husband, ______. Bless him as provider and protector. Sustain him in all the pressures that come with the task of stewarding a family. May his strength be his wife's boast and pride, and may he so live that his wife may find in him the haven for which the heart of a woman truly longs.
Bless this wife, ______. Give her a tenderness that makes her great, a deep sense of understanding, and a strong faith in You. Give her that inner beauty of a soul that never fades, that eternal youth that is found in holding fast to the things that never age. May she so live that her husband may be pleased to reverence her in the shrine of his heart.
Teach them that marriage is not living for each other. It is two people uniting and joining hands to serve You. Give them a great spiritual purpose in life. May they seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, knowing that You will sustain them through all of life's challenges.
May they minimize each other's weaknesses and be swift to praise and magnify each other's strengths so that they might view each other through a lover's kind and patient eyes. Help them every day to be kind and gentle, more like You. Give them a little something to forgive each day, that their love might learn to be long-suffering.
Bless them and develop their characters as they walk together with You. Give them enough hurts to keep them humane, enough failures to keep their hands clenched tightly in Yours, and enough of success to make them sure they walk with You throughout all of their life.
May they never take each other's love for granted but always experience that breathless wonder that exclaims, "Out of all this world, you have chosen me." Then, when life is done and the sun is setting, may they be found then as now, still hand in hand, still very proud, still thanking You for each other.
May they travel together as friends and lovers, brother and sister, husband and wife, father and mother, and as servants of Christ until He shall return or until that day when one shall lay the other into the arms of God. This we ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, the Great Lover of our souls. Amen. ~ Adapted from Dr. Louis H. Evans' Marriage Prayer for Bride and Groom.
A Prayer for a Friend's Job
Dear Lord, I pray over my friend right now. I pray that you will lead and guide her on her search for a new job. You know what she needs in hours, salary and benefits. I pray for your provision in the perfect position for her in your perfect timing.
Help her to be patient and not let the enemy discourage her. Also help me to be as encouraging and supportive as I can possibly be as her friend, in both the ups and downs. In your name, I pray. Amen.
A Prayer for a Friend Who Is Moving
Dear Lord, I pray over my friend right now. I pray that you will help him as he gets settled in his new city. Help him settle into his new job and his new home. Help him learn where things are located. I pray for your provision in a church family for him and new friends.
Ease any nervousness or anxiety and replace these feelings with your peace and comfort. Guide him in his journey from this day forward. In your name, I pray. Amen.
A Prayer to Value Friendship Over Disagreement
Lord, Satan is trying with all his might to divide your house and your people. We pray Lord with all our might that we would not let that happen. That we would remember that a house divided cannot stand. Help us to be the peacemaker in our relationships, friendships, and families, without bending or compromising on the Truth.
And Lord, if it must be that there are those who choose to no longer be our friends or in relationship with us, guard us against a bitter heart and remind us to pray for a softening of their heart. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen. ~ Janet Thompson
Prayer for Trust
Heavenly Father, my instinct is to rush in and make plans, especially if someone I care about has made mistakes. Remind me of that chalk line around my feet, Lord. Show me when I start to step outside of my assignment. Give me the courage to trust You and allow You to work in this person's heart and life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Prayer for a Friend Facing Cancer
Dear God, I come to You with a heavy heart, lifting up my dear friend who is battling cancer. Lord, You are the ultimate healer, and I pray that You would place Your healing hands upon them. Grant them strength, courage, and hope as they face this difficult journey. Please ease their pain and discomfort, and give them peace in the midst of uncertainty.
Surround my friend with Your love and the support of family and friends. Guide the doctors and medical team in providing the best care possible. Let Your presence be a constant source of comfort and reassurance. May they feel Your peace that surpasses all understanding and draw strength from Your promises. Father, we ask for you to perform a miracle and bring complete healing.
In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer for a Friend Struggling with Depression
Loving Father, I lift up my friend who is struggling with depression. Lord, You know the depths of their pain and the weight of their burdens. Please bring light into their darkness and hope into their despair. Surround them with Your love and comfort, and remind them that they are not alone.
Grant them the strength to face each day and the courage to seek help and healing. Send supportive and understanding people into their life who can offer encouragement and companionship. May Your peace fill their heart and mind, and may they find rest in Your unfailing love. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
A Prayer to See God Working
Lord, I pray that You will open __________ eyes to see You and follow You. Even though I might not see You working, I know You are. I believe, and I will not give up hope. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Prayer of Blessing Over Those You Love
Thank you for your great love and blessing over our lives. Thank you that your favor has no end, but it lasts for our entire lifetime. Forgive us for sometimes forgetting that you are intimately acquainted with all of our ways, that you know what concerns us, and you cover us, as with a shield. We ask for your guidance so that we might walk fully in your blessing and goodness today.
We ask that your face would shine on us. That you would open the right doors for our lives and for our loved ones, that you would close the wrong doors and protect us from those we need to walk away from. Establish the work of our hands and bring to fulfillment all that you have given us to do in these days. We pray that you would make our way purposeful and our footsteps firm out of your goodness and love. Give us a heart of wisdom to hear your voice, and make us strong by your huge favor and grace. ~ Debbie McDaniel
Praying for a Struggling Friend
Lord, I come before you today knowing that all power is in Your hand. I know that you are the Lord and that you care for your people. Right now, my friend is struggling with a difficult trial. I can see her strength is faltering, Lord, and know that you have all of the strength that she needs.
I pray that you will reach down and touch her right now wherever she is at this moment. Let your presence fill the room where she is and let her feel an extra portion of your strength that can help her to get through this day. She needs you now, Lord, and I thank you in advance for meeting her where she is and shoring up her strength during this difficult time. In Jesus' name. Amen.
A Reconciliation Prayer Between Friends
Lord God, You see what has happened in this friendship. Your Word teaches me that a true friend loves at all times. Oh, Father God, my heart is heavy. I ask You to search my heart and show me anything I have done that has hurt my friend's feelings. I confess to you that at times, I have been selfish and have spoken thoughtless words. Lord, show me also where I have been guilty of taking offense.
Forgive me, Lord. I praise You that You continually offer grace. I pray now, Holy Spirit, that You would bring healing and reconciliation to this friendship. I pray blessing over my friend, Lord. I pray that her marriage would be blessed, that her children would thrive and that her finances will prosper. I pray favor over every aspect of her life. I pray most of all that she would be rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. That she would know the hope to which she has been called and that she would know the power of the resurrection in every area of life. ~ Becky Harling
Birthday Prayers for a Friend
Heavenly Father, Thank You for blessing my friend with another year of life. May this year be filled with Your grace, joy, and countless blessings. Surround them with Your love and guide their steps. Amen.
Dear Lord, On this special day, I pray that You shower my friend with Your abundant blessings. May they experience Your peace, love, and joy throughout the coming year. Happy birthday! Amen.
Gracious God, Thank You for the gift of my friend. Please bless them on their birthday with health, happiness, and success. May Your light continue to shine brightly in their life. Amen.
Loving Father, I lift up my friend to You on their birthday. Grant them a year filled with new opportunities, cherished memories, and Your unwavering love. Guide them and protect them always. Amen.
Lord Jesus, I am grateful for my friend and the joy they bring into my life. Bless them abundantly on their birthday and throughout the year. May they feel Your presence and love in all they do. Amen.
Bible Verses to Pray for Friends
Many verses in the Bible talk about friendship including God's friendship with us, how to choose our friends, and how we should interact with each other.
1. "When I was in my prime, God's friendship was felt in my home." Job 29:4 (NLT)
2. "I love them, but they try to bring accusations against me, even as I am praying for them!" Psalm 109:4 (NLT)
3. But I tell you this-though he won't do it for friendship's sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. Luke 11:8 (NLT)
4. "When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes, giving him twice as much as before!" Job 42:10 (NLT)
5. "The godly give good advice to their friends, the wicked lead them astray." Proverbs 12:26 (NLT)
6. "There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24 (NLT)
7. "Here's the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home." Luke 16:9 (NLT)
8. "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." John 15:13 (NLT)
9. "Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7 (NLT)
10. "Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other." 1 John 4:11 (NLT)
We should ask our friends what they need prayer for each new season. Although we are always praying and petitioning the Lord on behalf of our friends, needs change all the time. I personally update my prayers for my friends at the beginning of each season, Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. During the in-between times, I just add needs and requests to my prayer board.
I often pray for my friends throughout the day. Sometimes this can be easier than all at once when I have lots of prayer requests. I pray while getting ready while working at my desk, and while making dinner. This helps me feel connected to the Lord and my friends all throughout the day. I usually end my day by once again praying for all my friends at the same time.
May your friends find comfort, strength, healing, and happiness as you bring them before our powerful God!
Carrie Lowrance is an author and writer. Her work has been published on Huffington Post, Bon Bon Break, The Penny Hoarder, etc. She is also the author of two children's books, Don't Eat Your Boogers (You'll Turn Green) and Brock's Bad Temper (And The Time Machine). She writes her own childcare and author blog at www.carrielowrance.com.
Photo credit: ©Thinkstock/Jacoblund
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