Praying for friends and family is a priority for many Christians. But do you ever find yourself at a loss about what to pray specifically or how to pray for something? These Sunday prayers for family and friends are sample prayers to help you be inspired in your own prayer time for your loved ones.
Each of these prayer points will have a Bible verse to remind us to be praying for God’s heart and will for our friends and family, and not just our own. Praying Scripture for friends and family is one of the best ways to specifically pray for what God wants for the person you are praying for.
Powerful Sunday Prayers for Family and Friends
These powerful prayers are great for praying on Sunday, as well as other days of the week. Some people like to pray through written prayers word for word; others like to use these sample prayers to inspire their own prayers. Whatever you do, use these Sunday blessings to talk with God in an authentic way.
Sunday Prayers for Family and Friends: Thankful for a new day
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV
The burdens of what has happened in the distant past, the past week, or even the day before can weigh on a person heavily. But God is so kind and merciful to His children! We are not consumed because of God’s mercies, and we have a new supply of them each morning. What a blessing to have this new beginning!
Let’s pray for our friends and family to experience the fresh start of this beautiful Sunday morning as a blessing from the Lord.
Dear Lord,
I thank You for the fresh start that You give us each day. I thank You that Your loving kindness does not stop and Your mercies never fail.
I pray, dear Heavenly Father, that You would help my friends and family members to know Your love, mercies, and faithfulness each day. Help them to see the good things you provide. I pray that they will give the past to You and trust You for their future. May they find their peace in You!
Please bless them in this coming week,
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Sunday Prayers for Family and Friends: Prayer for Church
“Not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
The Bible reminds us that we aren’t designed to do the Christian life alone. We need the support, accountability, experience, and knowledge of other Christians. Christians experience this as church.
Some people might feel uncomfortable at church because of misconceptions, past experiences, or wondering if it is even relevant to today’s society. The fact is, it is necessary now more than ever.
Each day that passes logically brings us closer to “the Day approaching” – that is, the second coming of Christ. Let’s pray this Sunday morning prayer for our family and friends to experience the blessing of a meaningful church family – a place of belonging and fruitfulness among other Christians.
Almighty God,
I come before you to ask You to encourage my friends and family in being part of a church family. I know that there are great blessings in walking with others who are walking with Christ.
If they are reluctant to go because of past hurts or concerns, I pray that You would bring healing to their hearts. If they don’t go because they don’t know You, I pray that You would draw them to You. If they are attending right now, I pray that You would bless them at their church, and help them to be a blessing to others.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Sunday Prayers for Family and Friends: Prayer for rest
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1
In this fast-paced world, we often crave rest and quiet. The world is shouting bad news, unrealistic expectations, and fearful predictions at us.
God doesn’t promise us an easy life but He does promise that He will be there for us. He offers us rest as we accept His agenda for our lives. Our heart can be at peace as we rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Let’s pray for our family and friends to enjoy this day of rest today.
Father God,
Thank You for your Sabbath day. You rested on the 7th day, not because You needed the rest, but to set an example for us. How much more do we need to rest and to reflect on how You provide?
I pray for my family and friends to be able to rest on this special day, or a different designated day of the week, so that they can set aside their concerns and spend today enjoying You and what You have provided.
May You be glorified today!
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Sunday Prayers for Family and Friends: Prayer of Thankfulness and Gratitude
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2
We are encouraged to keep praying with a thankful heart. What a privilege it is to pray for our friends and family, and also be thankful for them! Let’s pray on this beautiful day to thank God for them.
Dear Jesus,
I am so thankful for the loved ones You have placed in my life. They are an encouragement and a blessing to me. I love them so much!
Please be with them and help them to see the blessings You have given them today.
In Your Name, Amen.
Sunday Prayers for Family and Friends: Prayer for Good Health and Well-being
“He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
It can be so difficult to see our beloved friends and family go through a physical or mental health challenge. If we could fix it for them right now, we would. One of the best things we can do for them is to lift them up in prayer.
God can and does heal our hearts and bodies. We might not understand His timing or when He doesn’t choose to bring healing here on earth. But we can trust in His will. Let’s pray for the Lord to bring the healing our friends and family need today.
O Lord,
You heal the broken in heart and bind up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3) The prayer of faith will heal him who is sick. (James 5:15) I trust Your Word and I trust Your will, and lift up to You those of my friends and family who need healing.
I ask for Your healing touch on them, and for the right knowledge, doctors, and support to reach them. I pray for Your presence to be apparent to them right now. Please comfort and strengthen them today!
In Jesus’ mighty Name, Amen.
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Sunday Prayers for Family and Friends: Prayer for Protection
“He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him.” Psalm 91:15
The Lord is always with us, and we can call on Him at any time! We can call on Him to protect our friends and family as well. Let’s pray for the protection of our friends and family today.
Dear God,
You know that I love my friends and family so much. Yet I know my love for them pales in comparison to Your love for them, You love them that much!
I pray, dear Father, that You would protect them today. May they abide in You and make wise choices. Please thwart anyone who has evil intentions against them. Help them not to be affected by other’s unwise, misguided, or sinful choices.
I thank You for all the times You have protected them in the past. Please be with them today!
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Sunday Prayers for Family and Friends: Prayer for Strengthening the Family
“And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
This verse isn’t just about our friends and family – it’s about everyone. But sometimes, because we are around them so much and in so many different circumstances, we can fail to be kind, tender hearted, or forgiving of our family and friends.
Let’s pray on this blessed Sunday for strong relationships in our family and friends group that reflect this kind and forgiving heart.
Dear Lord Jesus,
I thank You for my family and friends. I pray that Your heart will be reflected in the good relationships of my friends and family. May we show kindness to each other. May we be tender hearted and considerate of one another. May we set aside grudges and be forgiving, just as You forgave us.
I pray that You will strengthen the bonds of family and friendships today! Be glorified in these relationships.
In Your blessed and holy name, Jesus, Amen.
Sunday Prayers for Family and Friends: Prayer for Difficult Times
“A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17
It is heartbreaking to see a dear friend or member of our family go through difficult times. When we see them suffering and can’t really change anything for them, it is easy to feel helpless. But our prayers can change things for them!
We can pray for the trials they go through, that God will give them endurance. We can pray for them to walk with God in good times as well as hard times. We can also pray to be a faithful and helpful friend.
Dear Lord God,
Thank You so much for my friends and family members. It is painful to see them going through this challenging time.
I pray that You would help them feel Your presence today, that they will know that You are with them. May they find their strength in You as they deal with this struggle. Please show them what to do in this difficult circumstance.
Help me to encourage them today in ways that would be helpful.
In the name of Christ Jesus, Amen.
Sunday Prayers for Family and Friends: Short Prayers for Family and Friends
This last section is a short list of concerns or characteristics that you can pray for a good friend or family member. Some of them will be covered in future articles in this “Daily Prayer” series.
Pray for their:
- Salvation in Jesus Christ
- Integrity at home and work/school
- Patience with others
- Understanding of the love of God
- Joy of the Lord
- Peace of mind in the Lord
- Grateful hearts
I Prayed for You Download
Having a special time of prayer on Sundays can make a wonderful Sunday tradition. You can pray through the prayer requests above, and if desired, send a text or a note to tell them you prayed for them. We’ve made a printable “I prayed for you” card that you can download for free here.
Download it here.
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Take time on this wonderful day to pray for your family and friends. It can be so tempting to worry about them, but praying for them is by far the better choice! Pray through your concerns and trust them to the Lord. May God bless you, your family, and your friends today!
If you liked Sunday Prayers for Family and Friends, you may also like Monday Prayers, Saturday Morning Prayers. and the Month-themed Prayer series.
