It was easier for us to make friends when we were kids, right? But then we grew up, life got busy, and we started worrying about what others think of us. Some of us have experienced hurt from trusted friends, and others have mental health challenges that make connection difficult. You may have even been told that being honest about your feelings is a sign of weakness.
These factors can make friendship feel intimidating. But there’s reason to have hope because anyone can make great friendships. (Yes, including you!) The first step to finding healthy friendships is to ask God for help.
You can jump to the bottom to find some example prayers for friends or keep reading to discover helpful mindsets for making new friends.
What Does It Mean to Be a Friend?
Want some bad advice on what it means to be a friend? Then check out a certain ’90s sitcom about a group of friends. Like most TV shows from the era, it shows a group of friends who spend most of their free time together. But do they really show us what friendship is like? We have some questions.
First, who has time to sustain five close friendships over a decade? Second, how do they always resolve their conflict in 30 minutes? Finally, how could they afford to go to a coffee shop every day? Seriously, they each must have spent a thousand dollars a year on muffins.
Am I Bad at Friendship?
Many of us grew up watching shows like this (and re-watched them countless times). While they’re funny, they can also be unhelpful because they set the friendship bar impossibly high.
What if we only have a few spare hours a week? What if I only want one close friend? What if I’ve lost some friendships through the years? Does that make me bad at friendship? No, it doesn’t. It means we need a simpler, better definition of what it means to be a friend.
What Is a Good Friend?
A good friend is someone you like to spend time with, who also likes to spend time with you.
Seems a little too simple, right? But it’s not! Friends are just people we enjoy spending time with. Sure, lasting friendships take work. But at its core, friendship is simple.
This can relieve a lot of pressure. Why? Because it means anyone can make lasting friendships. Maybe you can’t spend 10 hours a week in a coffee shop, but anyone can call someone once a month for 10 minutes.
The Gift of Great Friendships
Isolation is easy, but lonely. And friendships can be difficult, but they’re rewarding. Great friends are people you can rely on. They laugh with you when life is good and provide a listening ear when times are tough. Even if they live far away and you can’t spend hours together every week, good friendships help remind you that you’re not alone.
But you can only unlock these friendships with courage.
Friendship Takes Courage
Casual friends stick to small talk, but great friends share the highs and lows of their lives.
You need courage to have healthy friendships. Why? Because casual friends stick to small talk, but great friends share the highs and lows of their lives. So, while these prayers for friends can certainly help, they don’t remove the need for you to be bold and share your lives with others.
Who knows—maybe you’ve known your next best friend for years but haven’t realized it because you’ve always stuck to surface-level conversations. As you pray, ask God for strength, confidence, and courage. The courage to be appropriately honest so you can deepen potential friendships.
5 Prayers for New Friendships
Great, so now that we have the right expectations, let’s ask God for help. He wants you to have good friends who can support you through tough times and who can laugh together when life is good. Of course, these prayers might not give you instant best friends, but prayer is a great step to take as you seek out life-giving friendships.
A Prayer for New Friends
Dear God, thank You for being my constant friend. I ask that You bring new friendships into my life that would help me grow closer to You. Please help me find supportive people and give me the courage to be open and honest so our new friendship can thrive. Friendship is Your design, and I pray that I won’t take it for granted. Help me to love and serve my friends well. In Jesus’ name, amen.
A Prayer for Friendships
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for being the ultimate example of a friend! You are always there for me. Teach me how to be a true friend to others, not just when it’s convenient, but also when life gets tough. Guide me as I seek to build friendships with those who love and honor You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
A Prayer for a Godly Friend
Dear Lord, I want to have close Christian friends. Help me find people I can count on when life is hard, people who can help me live a life that honors You. Please help me to approach my relationships with a willingness to learn and to listen. And please allow me to develop relationships that show the world Your love and kindness. In Jesus’ name, amen.
A Prayer to Be a Good Friend
Father God, thank You for showing me unconditional love and forgiveness. As I go about my day, please show me how to love the friends You place around me. Whether it’s a conversation online or in person, let everything I say and do reflect Your love for people. In Jesus’ name, amen.
A Prayer for Supportive Friends
Dear God, thank You for creating us to live in community with one another. I’m grateful that we don’t have to go through life alone, and that we can trust and rely on each other during life’s challenges. Please provide me with friends who will pray for me during hard times and celebrate with me during good times. In Jesus’ name, amen.
A Great Place to Find Friends
If you’re not sure where to find great friends, consider attending Life.Church Online or joining an online small group. Both places provide easy entry points for friendship. Try out one of those free opportunities today and start laying the foundation of great, lasting friendships.