What is a prayer request?
A prayer request is simply asking someone to pray with you about something. It might be a big thing, like a diagnosis or a job loss, or an ordinary one, like a tiring week or a hard conversation you're dreading. Christians have asked each other for prayer since the very beginning. Paul often asked churches to pray for him, and the Bible tells us plainly to bring our needs to God and to carry each other's.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
A prayer request isn't a performance, and it doesn't need to be polished. It's a way of saying, "I can't carry this alone, and I trust you to bring it to God with me."
How to write a prayer request
Most good prayer requests are two sentences long. Here's what goes into them.
- 1
Say what's going on
One sentence of context is enough. "My sister starts chemo on Monday" tells people far more than a paragraph of background.
- 2
Say what you'd like prayer for
This is the part people often skip. Do you want peace, wisdom, healing, a good outcome, the right words? Naming it makes it much easier for others to pray.
- 3
Share only what you're comfortable with
You decide how much people know. "Something hard is happening at home" is a perfectly good start.
- 4
Add a date if there is one
"Thursday at 2" or "this weekend" helps people pray at the right moment, and reminds them to ask how it went.
- 5
Give an update
When things change, say so. When there's an answer, even a partial one, share it. Updates keep people praying for the right thing and let them celebrate with you.
A vague prayer request vs. a specific one
Here's the same request written two ways. Both are honest. The second is much easier to pray for.
Vague
"Please pray for my family. Things are hard right now."
Specific
"Please pray for my family this week. My dad was laid off on Friday and he's taking it hard. We'd love prayer for a new job, for him not to lose heart, and for us to be patient with each other."
The second version is still short, and it doesn't share anything embarrassing. It just tells people what's happening and what to ask for, so their prayers can be as specific as yours.
Prayer requests for health
For illness, surgery, test results and recovery.
- My mom has a biopsy on Thursday. Please pray for good results and peace while we wait.
- I'm having knee surgery next week. Would you pray for a smooth operation and a quick recovery?
- My friend Dana was just diagnosed with diabetes. Please pray she can adjust and stay encouraged.
- I've had migraines almost every day this month. I'd love prayer for healing and answers from the doctors.
For more on this, see our guide to praying for someone who is sick.
Prayer requests for family
For kids, parents, siblings and the people at home.
- Our son starts at a new school on Monday. Please pray he makes a good friend in the first week.
- My dad is moving into assisted living. Pray for an easy transition and for wisdom for us kids.
- We're trying to have a baby and it's been a long two years. We'd be grateful for your prayers.
- My brother and I haven't spoken in months. Please pray for a way to reach out and for a soft heart in both of us.
Prayer requests for marriage and relationships
For marriages, dating, friendships and the people you live with.
- My husband and I keep having the same argument. Please pray we'd really listen to each other.
- We just started seeing a counselor together. Pray it helps and that we both stay open.
- I'm dating someone new and want to do it well. Pray for wisdom and for God to lead us.
- A close friendship has gone quiet and I don't know why. Please pray for the courage to ask.
Prayer requests for work and money
For jobs, interviews, bosses, bills and big decisions.
- I have a final interview Friday at 10. Please pray for calm nerves and clear answers.
- Things are tense with my manager. Pray for patience and a good conversation this week.
- We're behind on rent this month. Would you pray for provision and for wisdom with our budget?
- I'm deciding whether to take a job across the country. Please pray for clarity and peace.
Prayer requests for school
For students, teachers and parents in the middle of a school year.
- I have three finals next week. Please pray for focus, good sleep and a clear head.
- Waiting to hear back from colleges this month. Pray for peace with whatever the answer is.
- My daughter is being left out at school. Please pray for kind friends and a brave heart.
- I'm a first-year teacher and I'm worn out. Pray for energy and for a good week with my class.
Prayer requests for faith and spiritual growth
Not every request is about circumstances. Some of the best are about your heart.
- God has felt far away lately. Please pray I'd sense He's near again.
- I want to read the Bible more than I do. Pray for a real hunger for it, not just guilt.
- I'm struggling to forgive someone who hurt me. Please pray for the grace to let it go.
- I'm getting baptized next Sunday. Would you pray for me as I take this step?
Prayer requests for mental health and anxiety
These can be the hardest to share. A short, honest line is enough.
- My anxiety has been really high this week. Please pray for peace and for good sleep.
- I'm starting a new medication for depression. Pray it helps and that I stay hopeful while it does.
- I've been feeling lonely since the move. Please pray I find a few real friends here.
- I have a panic attack most mornings before work. Pray for calm and for the right help.
Praying for each other is good, and so is getting help. If you're struggling, please talk to a doctor or counselor too.
Prayer requests for grief and hard seasons
For loss, waiting and the long middle of something hard.
- My grandmother passed away on Sunday. Please pray for our family as we plan the funeral.
- It's been a year since we lost our baby. This week is hard. Pray for comfort for both of us.
- We're in the middle of a divorce. Please pray for our kids and for peace in every conversation.
- Our house was damaged in the storm. Pray for patience with insurance and a place to stay in the meantime.
If you're grieving or walking with a friend who is, our prayers for grief may help.
Praise reports and answered prayers
Share the answers too. It encourages everyone who prayed, and it's easy to forget.
- Praise! The biopsy came back benign. Thank you all for praying with us.
- I got the job! Thank you for praying me through every round of interviews.
- My brother called me last night and we talked for an hour. Thank you for praying.
- Mom's surgery went well and she's home already. We're so grateful.
Prayer requests for others and the world
Requests don't have to be about you. These are for neighbors, leaders and the wider world.
- Please pray for the families affected by the flooding this week, and for the people helping them.
- Our church is sending a team overseas next month. Pray for safe travel and good work.
- My neighbor just lost his wife. Pray for him and for me to know how to help.
- Please pray for our city's leaders to make wise and fair decisions this year.
How much should you share in a prayer request?
Share what you'd be comfortable with everyone in the room knowing, and nothing more. You can always add more later.
You can ask for prayer without giving any details at all. Something like "I'm going through something I'd rather not share yet. Would you pray for peace and wisdom for me?" is honest and complete. The people who care about you will pray, and you keep the story until you're ready.
Be more careful with other people's news. A friend's diagnosis, a family member's struggle or a coworker's crisis belongs to them. Ask before sharing, or leave out names and details. A good rule is to share it the way they'd want it shared.
Would you pray for me this week? Something hard is going on and I can't share details yet, but I'd love prayer for peace.
Please pray for a friend of mine who's going through a really hard time. Pray she feels God close.
How to keep a prayer list (and follow up)
A prayer list helps you actually pray for what people share, and notice when God answers.
- 1
Pick one place
A notebook, the notes app on your phone or a shared list with your group. One place is better than several.
- 2
Write the date, the person and the request
Keep each one to a line. "Oct 3, Sam: job interview Friday, calm nerves" is plenty.
- 3
Pray through it on a schedule
Some people pray through the whole list daily. Others pray for a few names each day of the week. Pick what you'll keep doing.
- 4
Check in
When a date passes, text the person and ask how it went. It shows them you meant it.
- 5
Mark the answers
Write down what happened next to each request. Over months, your list becomes a record of God's faithfulness that you'll want to read again.
A prayer for praying through your list
Father, thank You for every name on this list, and for the trust it took to share each one. You know what each person needs better than I do.
Meet them where they are today. Bring healing, provision, peace and wisdom, and help me keep praying and keep showing up. Amen.
Where to share a prayer request
Pick the place that fits the request, and the people who'll actually pray.
- A close friend. Best for personal things. A short text is all it takes, and our guide on how to ask for prayer has messages you can send.
- Your small group or Bible study. Good for ongoing needs, since you'll see each other again and can give updates.
- Your church's prayer chain or prayer team. Good for urgent needs or when you'd like many people praying. Ask how widely it's shared before you send it.
- A private prayer app. PrayerBoard, the app we're building, will keep requests in a small circle of friends, so you can see who prayed and share updates in one place.
Wherever you share, start small. Two or three people who'll really pray are worth more than a big group that scrolls past.
Coming soon to iPhone
Share prayer requests with the people who'll pray
PrayerBoard is a private circle for you and a few close friends. Share a request, see who prayed, and mark it answered when it is. You can even keep the details private and just ask for prayer.
Free, with no ads. We'll only email you about the launch.
Questions people ask
What should I write in a prayer request?
Say briefly what's going on and what you'd like people to pray for, such as peace, wisdom, healing or a good outcome. One or two sentences is plenty, and you can add an update later.
Can I ask for prayer without sharing details?
Yes. You can say you're going through something you'd rather keep private and ask for peace, strength or wisdom. People can pray faithfully without knowing the whole story.
Is it okay to share a prayer request for someone else?
Ask them first whenever you can, especially for health or family news. If you can't ask, share only what's already public, or leave out names and details.
What are some common prayer requests?
The most common are for health and healing, family members, jobs and money, big decisions, anxiety, grief, and friends who are struggling. Thanks for answered prayers belong on the list too.
What is a prayer list?
A prayer list is a running record of the people and needs you're praying for, with the date and any updates. It helps you remember to pray and to notice when prayers are answered.
