Who’s been on your heart lately? Who are you concerned about, stressed over, or quietly carrying in prayer?
If you’re like me, a few faces immediately come to mind. And if you’re like me, your heart aches a little. You long for them to let God meet them in the middle of whatever they’re facing. Maybe your heart is heavy because someone you care deeply about once walked closely with Jesus, but now seems to be going their own way.
Be encouraged, friend: no one is ever too far gone for God to rescue—if they’re willing. God works in His perfect timing and according to His sovereign plan, but He also invites us to participate through prayer.
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
— James 5:16 (NLT)
Far too many people believe prayer is passive or pointless. Not true! Prayer is action—packed because this is how we flip our worries to faith! Prayer is where we remind our problems just how powerful our God is!
Prayer is powerful because it keeps us in the flow of God’s peace and out of His way—while He’s working in someone else’s life. Worry may come easy, but you’ve got another option!
Tired of feeling frustrated? Pray.
Struggling to stop controlling everything? Pray.
Weighed down by discouragement? Pray.
Need a fresh dose of love or grace? Pray. Pray. Pray!
If you’re carrying someone in your heart today, I invite you to join me in turning your worries into prayers.
A few weeks ago, I was praying for a loved one who lives out of town. As I prayed, I imagined myself walking around them—covering specific areas of their life in prayer. Afterward, I jotted down what I saw in that moment: a kind of “virtual prayer walk” around their life. You can do this too.
Let’s do this!
I’d love to know if this was helpful for you—just hit reply and tell me!
Instructions:
I’ll share a brief prayer for each prompt below. As you repeat each prayer, picture yourself walking in a circle around your loved one—surrounded not by fear, but by God’s deep love for them.
Here we go! (P.S. If this feels like a lot today, just pick two or three to start with.)
Pray for Them to Know God / Salvation
God, I pray for _____________ to realize their need for You. Dismantle the lies that keep them captive. Tear down the strongholds blocking them from experiencing Your glorious freedom. Remove whatever stands in the way of them knowing You and embracing the power of salvation. Amen.
Pray for Them to Trust God’s Love
God, You love us with an everlasting, unconditional love (Jeremiah 31:3). I pray that _____________ comes to fully realize how deeply You love them. Silence the voices of shame and override the lies that say You’re angry or disappointed in them. Today, would You send them a tangible reminder of Your love in only the way You can? Amen.
Pray for a Heart of Obedience
God, in a world full of distractions, I pray that ________________ begins to feel a strong pull toward obedience. Make sin lose its appeal—so much so that they can no longer bear to entertain it. Let following their own way feel empty, and instead, grow in them a craving to live according to Your will and way. Amen.
Pray That They See God Working in Their Life
You are always at work, God! I pray that _________________ becomes spiritually aware of Your presence. Help them recognize that nothing in their life is random or “just coincidence.” Show them clearly that You are near and actively working on their behalf. Amen.
Pray for Wholeness or Healing
Abba Father, we ask for Your healing touch in ____________’s life. Nothing is too hard for You—whether they need healing emotionally, mentally, physically, or spiritually. God, we pray for healing from abuse, abandonment, addiction, betrayal, or _____________. May Your healing come in such a powerful way that it’s clear it could only come from You. Amen.
(Personalize) Pray for __________________
Take a moment to pray a specific prayer from your heart for that person God has placed on your mind. You know what they’re facing—talk to God about it now.
I’m exhaling right now. I don’t know about you, but it feels so good to pause and pray for the people we love. Friend, know this: God hears your prayers—and best of all, He sees and loves your person more than you ever could.
I encourage you to keep praying throughout the day as their name comes to mind.
I’d love to hear from you!
Which prayer spoke to you most today? Is there a Bible verse you’ve been praying over someone you love? Or maybe you’ve seen God at work in their life recently? Post a comment below—I’d love to hear your story.
Experience Life-Transforming Power of Prayer
Pray Like This Bible Study by Barb Roose
As a Christian, you know you’re supposed to pray. But do you ever find yourself wrestling with any of these questions related to prayer?
Do I have to pray the right way for God to answer my prayer?
Do I have to pray the right way for God to answer my prayer?
Am I still praying if I read pre-written prayers?
If you’ve pondered these questions or others about prayer, my Pray Like Bible Study is for you.
Even if you’re a prayer warrior, Pray Like This sharpens your prayer focus and is a great resource for you to teach others about prayer.There’s a reason why Jesus was passionate about prayer and I want to show you how!
