7 Ways You Can Pray for Someone Today

“This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14)

Prayer is a link between us and God. The Bible lets us know that those God deems righteous can confidently approach him in prayer, knowing with certainty that their prayers are heard. We use prayer to make our requests known, not just for ourselves, but for those around us too.

“Hear the petition of your servant and your people Israel, which they pray toward this place. May you hear in your dwelling place in heaven. May you hear and forgive.” (1 Kings 8:30)

According to Jesus, the greatest commandment is to love God, and the second is to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40). Spending time praying on our own behalf can sometimes come easier than praying for others. God loves us all, and we are all his children.

Christians pray for others as a sign of that love, recognizing God’s love for them, and showing that love to others. Christians pray for others because the road of faith is not easy, and we need to build each other up by our prayers. When Christians pray for others in faith and love, amazing things can happen.

How to Pray for Someone

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18).

Whether you “go to your room and shut the door,” or talk to God on your commute, or pray aloud with a friend, God’s word encourages us to use these prayers on behalf of others, in what is known as “intercessory prayer” (1 Timothy 2:1)

If someone in your life needs prayer, consider praying with them in person. There is great power in Christians praying out loud with each other by coming together and speaking God’s promises back to him, making our requests known to our Father. If you have a small group or Bible study, reach out to one of these groups to ask for prayer on behalf of the person you know (always remaining sensitive to anything confidential). Another prayer tradition of believers is the “laying on of hands,” often used in prayerful expressions of healing and blessing (Acts 19:6).

Whether life is great or gloomy, whether a problem is big or small, prayer is our way of communicating with God to show love towards him, and those around us.

We may not always know the right way on how to pray for someone. You can put this call to pray for others to practice today, using your words to bless others by bringing their needs before God’s throne. Here are 7 ways you can pray for someone today.

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7 Prayers You Can Pray for Someone Today

1. Prayer for Guidance

“The Lord is my shepherd;

I have what I need.

He lets me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside quiet waters. 

He renews my life;

he leads me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.”

(Psalm 23:1-3)

Father God,

There are people I know and those I don’t who are in need of guidance. Some have lost their jobs, relationships, health. Many are living without a sense of security or direction. While no one can tell them the plans you have in store, I ask that you give them comfort in this moment.

Please step in and give them direction for what they should do next in their lives. I ask that you speak wisdom into their ears, and righteousness into their actions.

They are standing in need of you to show them the way. Can you present them with the right path? Can you lead them in the direction you want them to go?

Help them to see you working in their lives. Show them what you’re doing, and what steps they can take for themselves. Despite the uncertainty of the future, I pray that your guidance is enough to prove their future will be good.

Amen.

2. Prayer for Employment

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

God,

Financial worries and concerns abound in this time of great uncertainty. People search for jobs, some to no avail. Some are tempted to give up because all of their prospects fell through, if they had any at all. I sympathize with those in this dire situation, and God, I know you care.

Please ease their financial anxieties. Remind us that your steadfast love endures forever. Help them to know that when they seek you, you will provide. In your time, please restore them of their financial loss and if you desire God, please bless them with prosperity.

I also want to pray for people unmotivated to work, to people reliant on government aid. Please kindle a fire of motivation within them to get active. Help them to live a life in service to you and others. I pray that you cultivate within them a spirit of servitude that brings you glory.

Amen.

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“You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)

God,

Oh, how easily we can forget that the fear we feel is not your gift to us, but rather an attack from the enemy or our own unbelief. Thank you God for not giving us fear, but rather peace.

I want to pray for the people familiar to me and strangers alike, I pray that those devoid of peace can find comfort in you. Scripture refers to you as a refuge and a source of strength. Whether or not life is going their way, please help them to rest in you, knowing that even when they are not in control you are, that even when life is bad in the moment, good times will come.

Help them to pursue your perfect peace today and forever.

Amen.

4. Prayer for Healing

“Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.” (Proverbs 16:24)

Father God,

The coronavirus pandemic has made a mess of things, and many have died. Many more have become ill. And I thank you for those who have recovered. I pray for all future persons who will feel the effects of the virus.

I pray for healing over those individuals and the restoration of their health.

God, I want to pray for healing for all people who lost loved ones to the pandemic. Loss is very difficult and I pray that you support those experiencing this problem.

Lord, there are also people who have suffered sickness for  other reasons for fear of venturing to the doctor. I pray that you guide those who have lived with that fear into solutions for improved health. I pray that people who are dependent on recurring hospital visits that they would take the proper precautions and return to receiving treatment that they need.

I ask God that these people do not suffer in silence as their bodies fail.

Please heal them all.

Amen.

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“Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying?” (Matthew 6:26-27)

Father in Heaven,

Even the nation is under financial threat. I can only imagine some of the struggles people are facing around me. God, I ask that just as you provide for the birds and other animals, that you please provide for your children.

God please take care of those in financial desperation, those who are behind on bills, rent, and other payments.

I ask that you help those in financial need find the support they need until they can again provide for themselves.

Thank you, Father. Amen.

6. Prayer for Community

“Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)

“But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your offenses.” (Matthew 6:15)

My Lord,

We need you, and through scripture we know that we need one another. Loneliness, depression, suicidal ideations have all been on the rise. How can a people so reliant on technology still be so utterly disconnected?

I’m not sure that any of us are reliant enough on you, Lord.

While I can’t connect everyone to people who will care for them, I pray God that you guide them into making healthy connections with others. Please bring company to the lonely, joy to the depressed, and gratitude to those struggling with suicide.

I ask God that you grant us all a sense of community, first with you, and then people who will look upon us with love just like you do.

God, please give us a peace of mind knowing we are not alone. Show us that not only can we turn to you, but there are people in our lives who care and support us.

Thank you. Amen.

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“Give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Our Father,

I come to you now in thanks of the life you have blessed us with. There are seasons where we feel like we are on mountains, and other seasons where we dwell in valleys. No one knows for how long we will be in either, but I thank you for the gift of life. Thank you for the gift of salvation.

Thank you for the ability to pray for others, the ability to freely talk to you and express concern over the world today and the state of my nation.

I thank you for my family, my friends, my acquaintances, strangers. I am grateful for every opportunity to pray on behalf of others. I thank you that you sustain us day to day. No day is guaranteed, but in each day we do have in some way you are providing. Whether we see it or not, you are present and for that I want to say thank you.

For all those suffering, those consumed with their problems, I pray for a spirit of gratitude to grow within them too. I pray that you help them to focus on gain as opposed to loss, what they have as opposed to what they do not.

I pray that a spirit of gratitude erases any and all spirits of fear so that they can see you for who you truly are.

Amen.

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