Prayers for My Friend

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Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. —  Romans 12:12

There is a church nearby which is preparing to send off one of their dear members to Afghanistan. Deployment is always tough . . . especially for military moms deploying for the first time. So her friends put together a little flip-book, filled with prayers just for her. They figure she can carry this handy little book with her everywhere in a pocket—ready to pull out anytime.

There are 31 prayers—each based on Scripture verses. Here they are, and if you would like to use this as a template for someone deploying, please do:

Day 1—“Give _____ a true sense of peace she takes refuge, emotionally and mentally, in You, her mighty Rock.”  Psalm 62:7

Day 2—“Would you remind _____ daily to rejoice in YOU, even when she feels that there is nothing else in which to rejoice.”  Philippians 4:4

Day 3—“I pray that _____ will have the strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that she may be filled with all the fullness of God.”  Ephesians 3:18,19

Day 4—“Let _____ be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. Let _____ be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks IN all circumstances, for this is Your will for her in Christ Jesus.”  I Thessalonians 1:6; 5:16-18

Day 5—“Make Your Word a lamp to _____’s feet and a light for her path.”  Psalm 119:105

Day 6—“Strengthen _____ to not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving remind her to make her requests known to God.”  Philippians 4:6

Day 7—“Because _____ loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue her; I will protect her, for she acknowledges my name. She will call upon me and I will answer her.”  Psalm 91:14-15a

Day 8—“May _____ think on whatever is true . . . noble . . . right . . . pure . . . lovely . . . admirable . . . excellent or praiseworthy.”  Philippians 4:8

Day 9—“Let the light of your face shine upon my friend. Fill her heart with joy, and let her lie down and sleep in peace.”  Psalm 4:6-8

Day 10—“May _____ overflow with thankfulness.”  Colossians 2:6,7

Day 11—“Help _____ to be careful and wise in how she lives, making the most of every opportunity and understanding Your will for her life.”  Ephesians 5:15-17

Day 12—“Strengthen _____ in all circumstances to take up the shield of faith, with which You will enable her to put out all of the flaming darts of Satan. Remind her daily to arm herself with the sword of the Spirit—Your powerful Word.”  Ephesians 6:16

Day 13—“Fill _____ with Your Holy Spirit, that she might bear the Spirit’s fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”  Galatians 5:22,23

Day 14—“Be _____’s strength and her song today as she chooses to trust and not be afraid.”  Isaiah 12:2

Day 15—“Strengthen _____ to do everything without complaining.”  Philippians 2:15,16

Day 16—“Thank You that You are _____’s shepherd, so she shall lack nothing. Thank You, too, that You restore _____’s soul . . . “  Psalm 23

Day 17—“Help _____ to continue to put her trust in You, O Lord, and proclaim ‘You are my God. My times and my days are in Your hands.’”  Psalm 31:14,15

Day 18—“Remind _____ that Your grace is sufficient for all her weaknesses and difficulties.”  2 Corinthians 12:9-11

Day 19—“Enable _____ to be strong and courageous. Don’t let her get frightened or discouraged, but let _____ know that You will be with her wherever she goes.”  Joshua 1:9

Day 20—“May _____ never be ashamed of the gospel, but let her recognize that it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”  Romans 1:16

Day 21—“May _____ continue to meditate on the great truth that in God’s great mercy He has given _____ new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”  I Peter 1:3

Day 22—“Enable _____ to throw the full weight of her anxieties on You, for she is your personal concern.”  I Peter 5:7

Day 23—“Show _____ that Your way is perfect and Your word is flawless. Be _____’s shield as she takes refuge in You.”  2 Samuel 22:31

Day 24—“Strengthen _____ to use her gifts and talents for Your glory.”  I Corinthians 10:31

Day 25—“Keep _____ from all harm. Watch over her life; watch over her coming and going, both now and forevermore.”  Psalm 121:7,8

Day 26—“Do not let _____ look at the things man looks at, but let her see the world through Your eyes and respond to it with Your wisdom and Your love.”  I Samuel 16:7

Day 27—“Lord, please lead _____ to flee evil desires and surround herself with companions and friends who will pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace—who call on You out of a pure heart.”  2 Timothy 2:22

Day 28—“Fill _____ with the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that she may live a life worthy of You and may please You in every way: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of You, Lord.”  Colossians 1:9,10

Day 29—“Strengthen _____ to lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and help her to run with endurance the race that is set before her, looking to Jesus . . . “  Hebrews 12:1,2

Day 30—“So, then, just as _____ received Christ Jesus as Lord, may she continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as she was taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”  Colossians 2:6,7

Day 31—“Encourage _____ with Your truth that You are able to do far more abundantly than all that _____ can ask or think, according to the power at work within her. To You be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”  Ephesians 3:20,21

What I heard was that even before this friend left, she was carrying her prayer book around with her and using it for encouragement during those difficult days. There is no doubt in our minds this little flip book will get MUCH use. I thank God for a faithful church—and there is no doubt in my mind that they will be praying just as diligently for their friend.

Questions to Share:

1. Have you ever thought of taking Scripture verses and making them into prayers?  Which one of the prayers above could you use to pray for someone right now?

2. Which one of the prayers above would you use to pray for yourself right now, putting “me” into the underlined space?