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Prayers for a Friend Going Through a Hard Time

Jason Inman • 5 minutes

When a friend is going through a hard time, it’s natural to want to do something to help. And often, prayer is one of our best starting places. I am thankful that, over the years, I have learned from others to lean on prayer throughout the day, especially when I feel helpless to help someone else. 

By the time you finish this article, I hope you will not only have ideas for how to pray, but also see yourself as part of God’s answer to prayers. What does that second part mean? Let’s start there.

Jump to prayers.

When God’s Answer Is You

Almost fifteen years ago, I was … well, fifteen years younger, and thinking a lot about big problems in the world and in my local community. I was also wondering how I could be part of the solution. 

Because I worked for a global humanitarian organization, I saw in person the aftermath of the world’s worst poverty, tsunamis, tornadoes, and conflict. Because of the neighborhood where I lived, I saw people living with drug addiction, abuse, and lack of access to the basic safety nets that many of us enjoy.

It all felt too big.

One day, around this time, a middle-aged coworker shared a perspective that stuck with me. He said, “Jason, you are ‘yes.’” 

Huh? He explained that there were people in the world praying and asking God for help, asking God for a daily meal, asking God for a friend, and asking God whether or not He was real. He told me I could be part of God’s “yes” to those prayers.

If I could be a “yes” to someone’s prayer, could the same be true for you?

How could I help answer these prayers? If I could be a “yes” to someone’s prayer, could the same be true for you?

When we choose to become followers of Jesus, we become part of His living body, here and now. We function in different ways as different parts of the body, all working together to show and share the tangible, present, and practical love of Jesus. The early church leader, Paul, wrote these words in his letters to start-up churches in the ancient Mediterranean world:

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27 NIV

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 NIV

Whatever your friend or friends are going through or need, I encourage you to consider the ways you can be God’s “yes” to their prayers. If they are struggling financially, can you gather a group of friends to help? If they need encouragement, is there something you can say or a way you can be present for them? If they are grieving, can you grieve with them or help take care of a simple need? 


As you pray for your friend, live out your prayers by finding small and large ways to show the love of Jesus with your actions.

Is Praying for Others in the Bible?

This is a good question. Many people have heard prayers for others in church or before meals or before sporting events, but are there examples of people praying for others in the Bible?

Yes! There are many examples of praying for others in the Bible. Here are just a few:

Try Praying for and With Your Friend

I’m a grown adult, and I still learn from my mother’s example of prayer. When I’m around her for more than an hour, she usually ends up praying for someone. Whether it’s a friend, a server at a restaurant, or, recently, most of the coworkers on my team, she’ll just say, “Can I pray to bless you?” And people pretty much always say yes. 

Then, she’ll confirm, “Is it okay if I pray for you right now?” Again, people from all backgrounds, in all kinds of places, almost always say “yes.” Then she proceeds to offer simple, encouraging prayers of blessing. The result is usually that people feel seen, cared for, and generally blessed by God.

You can say a prayer that God will hear, and your friend will hear, too.

So, here’s my thought: if my mom can pray with strangers in person in public, then you and I can probably ask to pray with our friends somewhere they feel comfortable. I know God will hear your prayers.

Try These Three Prayers for Your Friend Who’s Hurting

While God always wants to hear from you and your friend surely does too, sometimes, it helps to have some words to get the conversation started. 

So, if you’re going to ask your friend if you can pray for them, you might say, “Hey, I noticed you’re going through a lot right now. Would it be okay if I prayed a blessing for you?” It’s also great to ask whether there are any specific ways you can pray.

Then try one of these prayers to get started. 

1. A Prayer for Your Friend to Trust God’s Presence

God, You know my friend even better than me. You see everything they’re experiencing, and You know what it’s like because You feel it with them. Will You please help them to feel how close You are and how much You care about them? Bring the right people, practical help, and healing they need. And we thank You for staying close. In the name of Jesus, amen. 

2. A Prayer for Your Friend to Find Comfort in God

God, we remember Jesus saying He wants to gather and protect people like a mother hen with her chicks. Today, my friend and I ask You for that kind of protection, comfort, and care. We remember the words of Psalm 91 and thank You for warmth and shelter under the shadow of Your wings. We pray this by the power of Your Spirit and in the name of Jesus, amen. 

3. A Prayer for Your Friend to Experience Hope in Sadness

God, I for sure don’t have the answers or know what the future will look like for my friend, but I trust You to be there each step of the way. Here we are, with You, sad about the pain, thankful for Your presence, and hopeful that the future will be better than today. I pray this in the name of Jesus, amen. 

Try Praying Together

I hope that if you can, you will pray with your friend so they can hear your prayers. Whether over the phone, in person, by mail, or by text, you can say a prayer that will help people sense God’s nearness and care.