Prayers for every moment of our lives
Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is not about repeating magic formulas or using complicated words, but about talking with God as a child talks with his Father. Yet there are moments when we don’t know what to say: when we wake up tired, when bad news arrives, when we are ill, when we lose a loved one or when we want to give thanks and can’t find the words. So we have prepared this collection of prayers for every moment of life. You can use them as they are, adapt them or let them inspire you to pray in your own words.
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
Jesus’ model: the Lord’s Prayer
When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he gave them this prayer, which Christians all over the world have repeated for two thousand years:
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
Matthew 6:9-13
The Lord’s Prayer teaches us to begin by worshipping God, to seek his kingdom and will, to ask for our daily needs, to ask for and offer forgiveness, and to seek protection from evil. It is a model for all our prayers.
On waking
Lord, thank you for this new day. Your mercies are new every morning. I give you my thoughts, my words and my actions. Guide me in every decision, protect me and my family, and help me be a light to those I meet today. May all I do be for your glory. Amen.
Before sleeping
Father, thank you for being with me through this day. Forgive my faults, those I know and those I don’t. I place in your hands my worries and the people I love. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8). Guard my sleep and renew my strength. Amen.
Before eating
Bless, Lord, this food and the hands that prepared it. Give bread to those who are hungry, and hunger for you to those of us who have bread. Thank you for your provision. Amen.
Before work or study
Lord, I offer you my work (my study) today. Give me wisdom, diligence and honesty. Help me do everything heartily, as to you and not to men (Colossians 3:23). Bless my colleagues and bosses (teachers), and may the way I work speak of you. Amen.
When looking for a job
Father who provides, you know my need. Open doors of decent work for me. Give me patience in the waiting, trust in your provision and strength not to lose heart. Lead me to a place where I can serve and support my family. Amen.
In illness
Lord Jesus, you healed the sick who came to you. Today I come with my weak body (or for the health of…). Touch with your healing hand, guide the doctors and those who care for me, relieve the pain and give me peace. If healing is delayed, sustain me with your presence. I place myself in your hands. Amen.
In distress and anxiety
God of peace, my heart is restless. There are things I cannot control that rob me of sleep. I cast all my anxiety on you, because you care for me. Calm the storm inside me as you calmed the Sea of Galilee. Give me your peace, which passes all understanding. Amen.
In grief
Lord, my heart is broken by the loss of… You wept at Lazarus’ tomb; I know you understand my pain. Comfort me, hold me up in the hard days and help me remember with gratitude. Thank you that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, and that one day you will wipe away every tear. Amen.
For the family
Father, I bring my family to you. Bless our home with your presence. Heal wounds, bring forgiveness where there is resentment, unity where there is division and peace where there is conflict. May Jesus Christ be loved and served in this house. Amen.
For children
Lord, thank you for my children; they are your heritage. Protect them from evil, guide their decisions, give them good friends and a heart that seeks you. Give me wisdom and patience to raise them with love. May they know you from an early age and follow you all their lives. Amen.
For marriage
God of love, bless our marriage. Help us love each other as Christ loved the Church, forgive quickly, listen patiently and grow together in faith. Protect our union from every threat. Amen.
Before a journey
Lord, I place this journey in your hands. Preserve my going out and my coming in from this time forth and for evermore (Psalm 121:8). Protect those travelling with me and those waiting for us. Bring us safely to our destination. Amen.
In temptation
Lord Jesus, you were tempted and overcame. Right now I feel weak. Lead me not into temptation and deliver me from evil. Give me the way of escape you promised (1 Corinthians 10:13) and the strength to take it. Fill me with your Spirit. Amen.
Asking for forgiveness
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your lovingkindness. I have sinned against you. I have no excuses; only your grace. Wash me, cleanse me and create in me a clean heart. Thank you that in Jesus Christ there is complete forgiveness. Amen.
To forgive others
Father, you know how much I have been hurt. I don’t want to carry this resentment. As you forgave me, help me forgive… Heal my heart and bless that person. I leave justice in your hands. Amen.
Before an important decision
Lord, I need your direction. I don’t want to lean on my own understanding. Show me your will, close the doors that are not from you and open the ones that are. Give me peace about the right path. Amen.
In times of financial need
God who provides, you feed the birds of the air and clothe the lilies of the field. Today I am worried about debts and scarcity. Provide what is needed, give me wisdom to manage what I have and generosity to share. I trust you. Amen.
For enemies
Lord, you commanded us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Today I pray for… Bless them, transform their heart and mine. Deliver me from hatred and give me your peace. Amen.
For the nation and the nations
Lord of the nations, I pray for my country. Give wisdom to those who govern, justice to judges, peace to regions struck by violence, bread to the hungry and comfort to victims. May your Gospel reach every people on earth. Amen.
For the persecuted
Father, I pray for persecuted Christians around the world. Give them courage, faith and hope. Protect their families, strengthen their churches and touch the hearts of their persecutors. Amen.
Of thanksgiving
Lord, today I just want to thank you. For life, for the air I breathe, for my family, for food, for your Word, for your forgiveness and above all for Jesus Christ. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits (Psalm 103:2). Amen.
For the Church
Lord Jesus, head of the Church, bless your people throughout the world. Give pastors wisdom and humility, unite believers in love and fill us with your Spirit to proclaim the Gospel boldly. Amen.
In old age
Faithful God, you promised to carry me to grey hairs. Thank you for the years I have lived. When my strength fails, be my strength. Help me leave a legacy of faith to my family. Amen.
Before an exam
Lord, I have prepared as well as I could. Give me calm, a clear memory and honesty. Whatever the result, I trust you. Amen.
Tips for praying better
Pray sincerely: God prefers an honest heart to beautiful words. Use the Psalms: they are inspired prayers for every emotion; find them in our Psalms section. Find a place and a time: Jesus sought quiet places to pray. Listen too: prayer is a dialogue; keep silence and read the Word. Pray with others: “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I” (Matthew 18:20). Persevere: Jesus taught that we ought always to pray and not to faint (Luke 18:1). Also read our article Advice on prayer.
And if you need someone to pray with you, you can send us your request in Request prayer.
Closing prayer
Lord, teach me to pray. May prayer not be an obligation for me, but an encounter with you at every moment of my life: in joy and in sorrow, in health and in sickness, in plenty and in need. Thank you that you always hear me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.