A Prayer for Friendship for Those Who Are Lonely
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” - Matthew 22:37-39
Read or Listen Below:
I called Allison thirty minutes before our Bible Study would begin to tell her I missed her. I expressed that my greatest disappointment in not being able to make it that morning was that I wanted to see and catch up with her. I emphasized that she had been on my heart nonstop, that I’d been praying for her husband’s cancer to be healed, and praying for the souls of her and her young children. Of course, in return, she asked me about my condition. Though I told her how aware I was that my temporary inability due to chronic back pain didn’t compare to her hard season, I shared that my biggest struggle was not being able to be present among my friends and family. I see so much need surrounding me, so much burden placed on others I want to help carry. But I just can’t right now. And the good Lord knows how much I need people, too. We all need connection. And life just flat-out hurts. I felt that deeply as I hung up the phone and grieved for what my friend was going through. I grieved that I couldn’t be a better friend. I grieved that, over time, my friend circle seemed to diminish as life demands and limitations continued confining me to more isolated circumstances. But still, my heart longs for connection.
Do you long for a connection? Maybe you’re in a difficult or lonely season and could use a friend or a close circle to surround you with support. I’ve felt this many times. But it’s really hard to feel deserving of friends when you feel like you aren’t able to be the greatest friend back.
The first thing I must remember in moments like this is that I have a constant friend in Jesus. No, I won’t visibly see his face until we meet in heaven. But I’ve experienced the reality of his very present comfort and love when I sit with him each morning. When I close my eyes and acknowledge his nearness, open my soul, feel his faithful arms of love wrapping around me, and thank him for his peace and comfort, I think of swelling within me. He offers something no friend ever can.
But still, we need people. We should understand that it helps to be there for others to connect, grow in compassion, and possibly receive some company and support in return—we should strive to be friends. Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, which tells me that if I want to be loved, I must show love toward others. Most of us get tripped up, though, in the how part. For me, when I see my friends scurrying around making meals I don’t have the physical capacity to make or gifting food and flowers, I don’t have the funds to afford, I feel like I have nothing to give. But this is where I’m wrong, and maybe you can relate because God gave a unique heart to each of his children, with a unique set of gifts and abilities. He has placed certain sons and daughters of his in our path to be recipients of it all. I may not have been able to send or make a meal last week, but I prayed. I may not have been able to make it to study today to hug Allison, but I was able to call her and send a card to tell her I love her and won’t stop praying. And when I did this—when I poured out my love as I longed to be loved—I felt a connection and compassion in return. I felt more full of the love of Jesus, and I received relief from my loneliness. An a reminder of the friends the good Lord offers when we are friends with others.
This could be your story, too. I know it takes time if you haven’t regularly offered your little to others. But in the meantime, never underestimate the friend you have in Jesus. Yes, we are commanded to love others, but first, we must love God. And when we do this, we receive the blessings of his love in return for his care, comfort, and friendship. And we are more filled with his love and more able to pour it out to others in need. Who needs love and a friend… just like you do.
Let’s Pray:
Ever-present God, You are my constant companion. I long to find comfort and connection through the loneliness of life, and I know you are the answer. I also desire community and connection with your people, so please help me remember to love others the way I want to be loved. Please help me keep my eyes open to the people you place along my path. And give me confidence in the abilities you’ve given me and the boldness to use what I have to connect with others out of the overflow of the love you pour into me. Thank you for your unfailing friendship. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/monkeybusinessimages
Listen to the Your Nightly Prayer Podcast
We're proud to announce we've just launched a new nighttime companion to Your Daily Prayer: the Your Nightly Prayer devotional. You can find it on the website at crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer, where you can sign up to receive it every evening in your inbox. We hope it's a relaxing and soothing way to wind down your day with rich meditations on God. Check out an episode below:
Now that you've prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below
Originally published Friday, 25 April 2025.
SHARE
