20 Essential Things to Pray for Today to Transform Your Prayer Life
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Discover 20 Essential Things to Pray For Today. Find guidance, healing, and hope in these powerful prayers.
Do you ever find yourself wondering what things to pray for? Or maybe you know there are other areas of your life and the lives of those you care about that you could include in your prayer time? You’re not alone.
If you struggle with how to pray or don’t know what to pray, or what to say you can find prayer cards to use specific prayers for each of these topics at the bottom of this post.
- Why Should We Use Prayer Topics?
- Here are 20 things to pray for right now:
- Prayer Suggestions for Spiritual Growth and Your Relationship With God
- What to pray for Physical Health
- Prayer Inspiration for Emotional and Mental Health
- Prayer Ideas for Relationships for Yourself or to Pray for Others
- Things to pray for Career and Finances
- Praying for Direction and Purpose
- What to pray for Salvation and Spiritual Awakening
- What to Pray for Wisdom and Guidance in Relationships
- Prayer Inspiration for Protection and Safety
- Personal Growth and Character Development Prayer Intentions
- Praying for Wisdom and Decision-Making
- Things to Pray for Parenting and Family Life
- Prayer Intentions for Strength in Times of Trials
- Overcoming Addiction or Habits Prayer Ideas
- Things to Pray for Academic or Career Success
- Praying for Emotional and Spiritual Healing
- Specific Prayers for Strengthening of Faith
- Protection from Temptation Prayer Suggestions
- Praying for the Restoration of Hope and Joy
- What to Pray for Boldness in Sharing the Gospel
- Conclusion
Why Should We Use Prayer Topics?
There are so many areas of our lives that can be improved by prayer. Using effective prayer topics can help us find the missing spots in intercession for ourselves and others.
Below you’ll find 20 topics to pray to choose from when you’re looking for things to pray for. Each prayer topic includes a
This list of ideas for prayer doesn’t mean these are the only things you should pray for. But having a prayer list can be extremely helpful for guidance while you pray. Whether you need to know what to pray for today or just need prayer list ideas this post will help you.
Here are 20 things to pray for right now:
Prayer Suggestions for Spiritual Growth and Your Relationship With God
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
2 Peter 3:18
When we come to know Christ, spiritual growth is one of our top goals. Praying for your growth in Christ can bring you closer to God while letting Him know that you are ready to grow. Growth is never easy, but growth in Christ is worth every step of the journey.
- Pray for your or someone else’s relationship with God to deepen and flourish.
- Ask for wisdom, discernment, and a hunger for His Word.
- Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your or someone else’s spiritual journey.
What to pray for Physical Health
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
3 John 1:2
Our health is one of our most valuable assets so praying for it should be essential. Since we live in a fallen world and we are susceptible to all types of diseases and ailments praying for our health should be a top priority. And remember you can pray this for yourself or for the people in your life.
- Pray for healing, strength, and restoration of your or someone else’s physical well-being.
- Ask for guidance for doctors and medical professionals involved in your or someone else’s care.
- Pray for relief from pain, ailments, or chronic conditions.
Prayer Inspiration for Emotional and Mental Health
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18
Our emotional and mental health is just as important as our physical health. Use these prayer ideas as a guide to ask God to help you or someone else’s emotional and mental health.
- Pray for emotional healing and stability.
- Ask for peace, comfort, and the lifting of anxiety, depression, or stress.
- Seek God’s intervention in any areas of emotional trauma or past hurts.
Prayer Ideas for Relationships for Yourself or to Pray for Others
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8
Praying for relationships is crucial because of the immense value relationships hold in our lives. Through prayer, we invite God’s presence and guidance into our relationships. We can seek His guidance and wisdom to navigate through challenges, uncertainties, and conflicts.
- Intercede for healthy and harmonious relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.
- Pray for reconciliation, forgiveness, and restoration in broken or strained relationships.
- Ask for God’s wisdom and guidance in building meaningful connections.
Things to pray for Career and Finances
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Our careers and finances greatly impact our well-being, livelihood, and ability to fulfill our responsibilities. Who better to bring this important area of our lives to other than God? We can invite God to give us wisdom and guidance in our professional pursuits and direction for our finances.
Praying for our finances acknowledges our dependence on God as the ultimate provider. We are inviting His provision and ultimate wisdom in managing our resources responsibly.
- Seek God’s provision and favor in your or someone else’s work and financial endeavors.
- Pray for job opportunities, career growth, and financial stability.
- Ask for wisdom in making decisions related to your or someone else’s professional life.
Praying for Direction and Purpose
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Navigating the complexities of life and finding our true calling seems fruitless without prayer. We get to pray for what God wants us to pursue and where He wants us to go. We get to go to the One being who knows what is best for us, what our future is, and what He created us for. Praying for direction and purpose should always be a top priority in our prayer life.
The
- Intercede for clarity and guidance in your or someone else’s life’s purpose and calling.
- Pray for divine direction in decision-making processes.
- Ask for God’s wisdom and guidance in navigating important life choices.
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What to pray for Salvation and Spiritual Awakening
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Once we have the hope and guarantee of salvation it’s only natural for us to want everyone else to have it to. It’s finding the greatest gift and sharing Christ with everyone we know. We can always start with prayer first, to prepare them for the gospel.
- Pray for someone else’s salvation if they have not yet received Christ.
- Ask for God’s intervention to soften their hearts and open their minds to the gospel.
- Intercede for a spiritual awakening and a personal encounter with God’s love and grace.
What to Pray for Wisdom and Guidance in Relationships
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5-6
Whether you’re starting to date, beginning a friendship or about to have a baby God is always helpful when you pray for wisdom and guidance in relationships. Everyone wants to live in harmony, and asking God for wisdom when it comes to who we interact with will always have a positive outcome.
- Pray for God’s wisdom in navigating romantic relationships, friendships, and family dynamics.
- Pray for guidance in fostering healthy and meaningful connections.
- Intercede for reconciliation and healing in broken or strained relationships.
Prayer Inspiration for Protection and Safety
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:2
When we pray for protection and safety we recognize our vulnerability and can ask for God’s intervention when we face danger and adversity. Adding these topics of prayer shows we trust God in circumstances instead of letting fear power our lives.
- Pray for your or someone else’s safety and protection from physical harm, accidents, or danger.
- Ask for God’s covering over you or someone else and their loved ones.
- Intercede for deliverance from any form of harm or evil influences.
Personal Growth and Character Development Prayer Intentions
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
I don’t know about you, but I love developing my character. It is hard work but it is always worth it. I want to be Christlike. Praying and asking God where I need to grow and what areas of my character to focus on has always proven fruitful.
- Pray for the development of virtues such as love, patience, kindness, and humility.
- Ask for God’s transformative work in your or someone else’s character and attitudes.
- Intercede for the breaking of negative patterns and the growth of positive traits.
Praying for Wisdom and Decision-Making
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 1:5
When I had my first child, I had no idea what I was doing. No help, no good memories to draw from. I was starting from scratch. So I decided, to ask God for wisdom on what to do, and how to be a mother, and especially in times when I was just completely lost I asked for guidance in decision-making.
Going to God in prayer for wisdom and decision-making was the best decision I ever made. When I asked, He answered and guided me. And I now do this in all areas of my life. You can pray and seek God for wisdom too.
James 1:5 is a promise. Pray for wisdom and God will give it to you.
- Seek God’s wisdom and discernment in your or someone else’s choices and decisions.
- Pray for clarity, insight, and understanding of His will.
- Intercede for divine guidance in both major life decisions and daily matters.
Things to Pray for Parenting and Family Life
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
If there is one thing I’ve needed direction in the most- it’s parenting. It’s hard to know if you’re leading your family and children in the right direction but going to God in prayer makes it much clearer.
You can pray these ideas for your own family or for someone else’s.
- Pray for parents to receive wisdom and patience in raising their children.
- Ask for God’s guidance in nurturing strong family bonds and values.
- Intercede for healthy communication and unity within the family.
Prayer Intentions for Strength in Times of Trials
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
It seems natural that when we are going through trials that an area or multiple areas of our lives are weakened. But God promises to renew our strength, especially in times of trials. We all need the courage to face our problems. Interceding for ourselves or others in hard times is essential to trusting God with our lives.
- Pray for strength, perseverance, and faith in challenging seasons.
- Ask for God’s comfort and peace to surround you or someone else during difficult times.
- Intercede for them to experience God’s presence and provision in your or someone else’s trials.
Overcoming Addiction or Habits Prayer Ideas
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
When someone goes to AA meetings to help get over addiction they are told to believe in a higher power than themselves to be able to overcome addiction. Although it is not a Christian organization, even they recognize the power of Christ in being delivered from addiction.
Surrendering your habits and addictions and allowing God to help you overcome them through prayer is powerful. We can take all of our problems to Christ, and trust that He will deliver us.
- Pray for deliverance and freedom from any addictions or harmful habits.
- Ask for God’s strength and support in your or someone else’s journey toward healing.
- Intercede for a renewed mind and a transformed lifestyle.
Things to Pray for Academic or Career Success
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3
Just like every other endeavor of life, we can take our academic or career success to God. Success in school and our careers can be stressful. It is so important to go to God in prayer for success in life, school, and our careers. It helps eliminate stress and allows us to trust God instead.
- Pray for academic excellence and success in your or someone else’s studies or professional endeavors.
- Ask for God’s guidance in career choices and opportunities for growth.
- Intercede for favor and blessings in your or someone else’s educational or work pursuits
Praying for Emotional and Spiritual Healing
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3
As a person with extensive childhood trauma, asking God for help in my emotional and spiritual healing has helped tremendously. He guided me to find a Christian therapist trained in multiple brain therapies.
God can help heal emotional and spiritual trauma, you can use the prayer ideas below for guidance to pray for yourself or someone else.
- Pray for healing and restoration from emotional wounds or spiritual brokenness.
- Ask for God’s comfort, peace, and the revelation of His love and grace.
- Intercede for inner healing and a renewed sense of purpose and identity.
Specific Prayers for Strengthening of Faith
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13
Some people start their relationship with Christ with just a mustard seed of faith. And God can do exponential things with such a small amount of faith (Matthew 17:20-21). However, the more we grow in our faith, the more we trust God in all areas of our life.
As our faith grows, it overshadows the fears and anxieties in our lives allowing us to live more freely.
- Pray for your or someone else’s faith to deepen and mature in their walk with God.
- Ask for a hunger for His Word, a passion for prayer, and a desire for spiritual growth.
- Intercede for them to experience the fullness of God’s love and grace.
Protection from Temptation Prayer Suggestions
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Matthew 6:13
We all want to keep God’s word. But we all have a heart that’s led to temptation. Prayer is a powerful way to protect us from temptation.
- Pray for protection from temptation and strength to resist sin.
- Ask for God’s guidance and discernment in making choices aligned with His will.
- Intercede for a strong spiritual armor to withstand the schemes of the enemy.
Praying for the Restoration of Hope and Joy
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psalm 51:12
There are times in our lives when we lose sight of our joy and hope. So many people struggle with depression and live in circumstances that seem overwhelmingly hopeless. But there is always hope in Christ.
Joy is promised to us in Galatians 5:22-23. It is a fruit of the Spirit. This means that even when we cannot find joy, we can pray for it and God will show us where to find the joy in our lives.
Here are things to pray for when you need the restoration of hope and joy:
- Pray for a restoration of hope and joy in your or someone else’s hearts, especially during seasons of despair.
- Ask for God’s healing touch to renew your or someone else’s sense of purpose and passion.
- Intercede for a deep sense of God’s presence and a fresh infusion of His joy.
What to Pray for Boldness in Sharing the Gospel
Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.
Ephesians 6:19
Spreading the gospel used to be terrifying to me. But Christ asks us to do this in The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. Most Christians know who Christ is by hearing the gospel from others. And it should be our greatest joy to share the good news, however, most of the time it is an area of fear.
One of the greatest things that helped me share the gospel is letting the fear of someone going to hell be greater than my fear of speaking up and sharing Christ with them. Below you can find ways to pray about being bold in sharing the gospel.
- Pray for boldness, courage, and opportunities to share the love of Christ with others.
- Ask for God’s guidance in effectively communicating the message of salvation.
- Intercede for the Holy Spirit’s empowerment in your or someone else’s evangelistic endeavors.
Conclusion
Topical prayers are something you can add to your daily routine, your
If you’re not sure what to pray for, you can grab these 20 prayer cards that cover each prayer theme in this post and have a prayer curated towards that need.
Make prayer easy, stay focused, and live a life of prayer with these Praying From Scratch Cards!
