Encouragement Prayer for a Friend: You might have a few (or more) Christian acquaintances in your close circle if you participate in a prayer group or attend your local church on a regular basis. When you are struggling in your personal life, questioning your relationship with God, or feeling very anxious, you might turn to these friends for support. These friends can then come full round, asking God to provide you with a buddy who will bring you comfort and make you feel less alone. Prayers for friends serve as a powerful reminder of the value of friendship and love while also fostering relationships with other Christians in your life.
You can bring one or two of these prayers to your next gathering or worship session so that your friends can use them as part of their regular daily prayers. These brief prayers can offer reassuring words to let your friends feel protected and heard by God, whether they are unwell, ready to embark on a long trip or just need a few encouraging words to get them through a challenging week. Your relationships with the people you care about and love are just as vital as your relationship with God. A prayer for a friend might brighten their day and serve as a gentle reminder of the value of your friendship with that person.
This page contains a collection of encouragement prayers to give to loved ones or to include in your own personal devotion. There is a beautiful encouraging prayer poem called “Paint a Rainbow Bright,” a prayer of encouragement for a friend, the well-known “Serenity Prayer,” and a prayer for God’s strength and peace.
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The Essence of Praying for Friends
One of the most important things we can do is pray for our friends. It is easy to become preoccupied with our own needs, but it is equally important to pray for and intercede for others. Whether our friends are near or far, in our lives or not, they still require our prayers. But how can we pray for our loved ones? How do we know what we should pray for?
I try to get as much information as possible by asking my friends what they need prayer for. I can then pray as specifically as I can for them. I pray for friends who aren’t currently in my life for the Lord to lead them in the areas I knew they were facing when we last spoke. As I pray in this way, I feel closer to the Lord and to my friends. Here are some of my go-to prayers for use in times of friend need.
Encouragement Prayer for a Friend
1. Prayer for the Protection of Friends
Have mercy on your servants, our friends, Almighty and Eternal God. Keep them under your constant protection and guide them in the path of eternal salvation according to your gracious favor.
May they desire whatever pleases you and strive to achieve it with all their might. As they place their trust in your mercy, O Lord, graciously assist them with your heavenly help, that they may always serve you diligently and be separated from you by no temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2. Prayer of Encouragement
Lord, so often in various situations, I stand and am unable to take the first steps and make the necessary decisions. I’ve been in this situation for a long time and would appreciate your encouragement and assistance. Please encourage me on my life’s journey, Lord. Please make that I never felt fear or uncertainty. Let all of my decisions be guided by your wishes. Don’t let me give up in any situation, but teach me to find the right path and make the right choice. Allow me to feel your love, grace, caring hand, and encouraging support at all times. Lord, please encourage and guide me in all that I do in my life. In the name of Jesus, I pray to you. Amen.
3. Prayer for Friends and Relatives
Have mercy, O Lord, on all those who are joined to us in friendship and family, and grant that they, too, may be perfectly conformed to your holy will, that being cleansed from all sin, we may be found worthy, by the inspiration of your love, to share in the blessedness of your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
4. Prayer of Encouragement to Start the Day
Lord, grant me the peace of mind to face whatever the next day brings. Allow me to completely surrender to your will. Please, God, come and support me at any time of the day. Whatever news I receive today, teach me to accept it with a calm heart and a firm belief that Your will is present in all my words and deeds, guiding my thoughts and feelings. Do not let me forget that everything is sent by you, my Lord, in all unforeseen circumstances. Teach me to interact with each member of my family in a direct and reasonable manner, without disturbing or upsetting anyone. Lord, grant me the ability to alleviate the fatigue of the coming day and all of its events. Teach me to pray, belief, hope, tolerate, forgive, and love. I need your encouragement in everything I do, Lord. In the name of Jesus, I pray to you. Amen.
5. Unable on Our Own Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, we are a generation that values self-care and mental health. Still, we are not great at taking care of ourselves and frequently forget about You when illness strikes. Please forgive us, God. Please be with my sick friend, who is doing everything in their power to heal themselves, in Your forgiveness. God, help them recognize their inability and turn to You. Be available to them. They must be healed. Thank you very much. Amen.
6. Prayer of Encouragement and Strength for Self
Father of all comfort and grace, you are the divine source of encouragement and courage; I come to you today in complete confidence and trust in your word; I ask for strength and courage to stand in this trying time and triumph.
Your Holy Spirit gives me strength and comfort in my inner man. I declare that I am spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally strengthened. My faith will not waver, I will finish strong, and I am more than a conqueror because of Christ Jesus. I will not give up and lose; I will trust you all because I know that my victory is assured in Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen. Amen.
7. Prayer against Depression for a Friend
Please, Lord, heal my friend of his depression. Many people around them do not believe it is a real illness because they cannot see the physical consequences, which is hampering my friend’s recovery. God, help them understand that this is real and valid and that You can make it better. I know You don’t have to, and You may choose not to. But God, please heal my friend and give him/her hope if You are willing. Remove the darkness and emptiness from his/her mind. Amen.
8. Prayer for Strength for a Friend
Father, I am praying for a friend who is going through a difficult time. Lord, please strengthen and encourage his/her heart. God, show him/her that you are always near and caring for him/her, not allowing him/her to be alone in a difficult situation. Show him/her that these trials are for a good reason, and one day he/she will come out of the difficult situation giving you all the glory and praise. Amen, I pray through Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Bible Verses of Encouragement in Difficult Times
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and he will do this.” Psalm 37:4-5
“So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord…” Jeremiah 29:11-14
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:2-5
“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27