Prayer for friends: 11 scriptures to pray over your friends

Our friendships are a vital thread to the intricate design of our lives.

When we have healthy friendships, we live seen, heard, valued, and loved. Friends who make space for us to share our painful stories and broken hearts. Friends who cheer us on, push us forward, and celebrate our growth. Friends who remind us of our kingdom identity.

One of the most significant ways we can honor and celebrate the blessing of genuine friendship is to spend time praying for our friends.

Starting with scripture is a great place to build a prayer life for our friends. 

Not sure where to start using scripture for prayer? I have you covered. Check out these scriptures below to help you get started praying scripture for your friends. 

Prayer for peace

“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard you hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:7

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I pray my friend __________ would experience your peace today.  Guard her heart and her mind as she goes about her day.  Let your peace fill her heart and calm her thoughts.

Prayer for hope

“I pray that God, the source of hope, fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Prayer:

Lord, I pray that You, the source of hope, fill my friend __________ with your joy and peace.  I pray she may trust in you and that you will overflow her life with hope found only through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer for endurance

“We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious powers o you will have all the endurance and patience you need.  May you be filled with joy.” Colossians 1: 11

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,  strengthen my friend _______ today with your power so that she can endure every situation and have the patience she needs to complete the assignments you have placed in her hands.  Fill her heart with joy while she continues to survive during this season.

Prayer for her conversation

“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Ephesians 4: 29

Prayer:

Lord, guide the words of my friend ________.  Show her how to use her words to encourage and uplift those around her. I pray she has wisdom and self-control to speak the truth in love in all situations. 

Prayer for wisdom

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

Prayer:

Lord, guide my friend ________.  Help her to trust in you with her whole heart and direct her steps.  I pray she relies on your wisdom instead of trusting in her understanding. I pray I may encourage her to continue to seek your Word and your Wisdom when she comes to me for advice.

Prayer for health

“Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.” Proverbs 3:8

Prayer:

Lord, I pray you may heal any illness, sickness, pain, or heartache my friend is feeling today.  I thank you in advance for healing and recovery that will take place in the life of my friend.  I know that nothing is impossible to you and that you are bigger than any illness.

Prayer for joy

“Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thes. 5: 16-18

Prayer

Lord, fill my friend’s life with your joy.  Help her to hold on to her joy in you no matter what she may face today.  Draw her heart close to yours and give her comfort in all situations. 

Read Regaining Hope: 3 ways to hold on to hope when life is hard

Prayer for rest

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” Psalm 4:8

Prayer

Heavenly Father, as another day comes to an end, I pray my friend _______ would have a peaceful night’s rest. I pray you would lift every burden and let your peace fall over her.  Calm any anxious feelings or any overwhelming thoughts.  Give her physical and mental rest so she may be rejuvenated for tomorrow.

Prayer for community

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.  Galatians 6:2

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for allowing me to be a part of my friend’s life.  Help me to listen, to encourage, and hold my friend ______ accountable for walking in her Kingdom purpose.  I pray my friend will feel safe enough to share what she is going through and bold enough to ask for help. 

Read Serving at Home: 3 ways to be a friend to a military spouse

Prayer for love

But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8

Prayer:

God, thank you for showering your great love for my friend _________.  I pray she may feel your presence and rest in knowing she is greatly loved by you. Help her root her identity in the truth of your Word. 

Prayer for Salvation

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Prayer:

Lord, I pray my friend _______ would accept you into her heart. I pray the power of your blood would transform her heart, mind, and life.  Renew her mind and break any chain that holds her hostage. Let her hunger for your word and live according to your ways. 

Healthy friendships are a gift.  Taking time to intercede for our friends is both a joy and an honor.  Thankfully, we have God’s word as an example of what to pray and how to pray.  His word is a lamp for our feet.  So let’s step in and continue to cover our friends in prayer.

What scriptures would you add to the list?