Prayer for a Friend Going Through a Hard Time: When You Don’t Know What to Say

A prayer for a friend going through a hard time — for when you want to help but don’t know what to say or do. Prayers to pray for them, with them, and to send them when words fail.

A Prayer for My Friend Who Is Hurting

Lord, my friend is going through something really hard and I don’t know how to fix it. I can’t take their pain away. I can’t make it better.

But I can pray. So I’m asking You to hold them when I can’t. To comfort them when my words fall short. To surround them with people who love them and remind them that they’re not alone.

Please give them strength for today and hope for tomorrow.

Amen.

A Prayer to Pray With a Friend

God, we’re both here and we both know things are hard right now. Please be in this room with us. Let my friend feel Your presence and my love — even when neither of us has the right words.

Give us peace that doesn’t make sense. Give us the kind of comfort that only You can give. And let us walk through this together.

Amen.

A Prayer for a Friend Who Is Grieving

Lord, my friend lost someone they love and I don’t know how to help. Every word I say feels inadequate. So I’m bringing them to You instead.

Please hold them in their grief. Let them feel the love of the people around them. And when the silence is too loud, let them hear from You.

Amen.

A Short Prayer to Send to a Friend

“Lord, please be with them today. They’re going through something hard and I can’t fix it. But You can. Hold them close. Let them feel loved. Amen.”

A Prayer for a Friend Who Is Sick

God, my friend is sick and I’m scared for them. Please be in that hospital room, that doctor’s office, that bed at home. Give them healing — real, physical healing. And give them peace while they wait for it.

Let me be a good friend to them. Show me what they need — a meal, a visit, a text, or just someone to sit with them in silence.

Amen.

A Prayer for a Friend Who Is Struggling with Faith

Lord, my friend is questioning everything they used to believe. They’re angry, confused, and maybe even walking away from You.

Please don’t let them go too far. Meet them in their doubt. Answer their honest questions. And let them know that it’s okay to wrestle with faith — that You can handle their anger and their confusion.

I’ll keep praying for them even when they stop praying for themselves.

Amen.

What the Bible Says About Friendship and Bearing Burdens

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” — Proverbs 17:17

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you — better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.” — Proverbs 27:10

A Prayer for When You’re the Friend Who Needs Help

God, I’m the one hurting right now. And I’m grateful for the people praying for me — but I need You most of all.

Please let me feel their love. Let me accept help when it’s offered. And let me remember that asking for help isn’t weakness — it’s the bravest thing I can do.

Hold me. I need it.

Amen.

Know someone going through a hard time? Share this prayer with them. Say a Little Prayer has prayers for every difficult moment — grief, anxiety, illness, and more. Download it free.