Prayer lists
Prayer request examples and how to write one
· 3 min read
Prayer request examples for health, work, family, and grief, and how to write a prayer request that is clear, specific, and easy for others to pray.
Good prayer request examples have three parts: who it’s for, what the need is, and when it matters. Below are examples you can adapt, and a simple way to write your own prayer request so others know exactly how to pray.
What should a prayer request include?
A prayer request should include who it’s for, what the need is, and when it matters, in one or two sentences. For example, “Please pray for my mom’s surgery on Tuesday, that the doctors would have wisdom and she would have peace.” If you know how you’d like people to pray, say so, and share only details that are yours to share.
How to write a prayer request
A prayer request is easiest to pray when it answers four small questions:
- Who is it for? “My mom” or “my friend Ben.”
- What is the need? “Surgery,” “a new job,” “peace while waiting for results.”
- When does it matter? “Tuesday morning,” “this month.”
- How should we pray? “That she’d have peace” or “that he’d find work that fits.”
Sharing requests in a group? See these small group prayer request ideas and how to keep praying for them all week.
A prayer request about someone else should share only what is yours to share. If a friend told you something in confidence, ask before passing it on, or keep the request general.
Prayer request examples for health
Health prayer requests are clearest when they name the appointment or the recovery.
- “Please pray for my mom’s surgery on Tuesday, that the doctors would have wisdom and she would have peace.”
- “Pray for Michael as he recovers, that the pain would ease and he’d be able to rest.”
- “I’m waiting on test results this week. Please pray for peace while I wait.”
Prayer request examples for work and money
Work and money prayer requests often ask for an open door, wisdom, or grace in a hard conversation.
- “Please pray for Ben as he looks for a new job, for an open door and for patience.”
- “Pray for wisdom as we make a budget and pay down debt.”
- “I have a hard conversation with my manager on Friday. Please pray I’d speak with grace.”
Prayer request examples for family
Family prayer requests can be about one person or the whole household.
- “Pray for our family to be kind to each other during a stressful season.”
- “Please pray for my sister as she starts college, for good friends and a church.”
- “Pray for my grandparents’ health and for joy as they get older.”
Prayer request examples for grief
Grief prayer requests ask for comfort for the people left behind, now and on hard days later.
- “Our friend lost her father this week. Please pray for comfort for her family.”
- “Pray for me as the anniversary of my dad’s death comes up.”
For more, see how to pray for someone who lost a loved one.
Prayer request examples for faith
Faith prayer requests ask God to draw someone to Himself or to grow them in Him.
- “Please pray for my neighbor, that he would come to know Jesus.”
- “Pray that I’d grow in prayer and reading the Bible this year.”
What is an unspoken prayer request?
An unspoken prayer request asks others to pray without sharing the details, when the need is private or not yours to tell. It still gives people something to pray for.
- “I have something hard going on that I can’t share yet. Please pray for wisdom and peace.”
- “Please pray for a family member in a difficult situation, that God would protect them.”
Turn a prayer request into a prayer card
A prayer request someone shares with you can become a prayer card in The Pray App, so it comes up again instead of being forgotten. On Home, tap New prayer card, type the request under What would you like to pray for?, pick a Category, and add who you’re Praying for from your contacts. Then tap Add prayer.
Type the request, pick a category, and add who it’s for.
When you pray, you see one card at a time, with the prayer, who it’s for, and a Bible verse.
A prayer card shows the prayer, who you’re praying for, and a verse.
Get The Pray App free on the App Store, then see how to create a prayer card.
Questions people ask
How do you write a good prayer request?
Say who it's for, what the need is, and when it matters, in one or two sentences. Share what you're comfortable with and leave out details that aren't yours to share.
What is an example of a prayer request?
For example, "Please pray for my mom's surgery on Tuesday, that the doctors would have wisdom and she would have peace." It names the person, the need, and the time.
Is it okay to ask for prayer for myself?
Yes. James 5:16 tells us to pray for one another. Asking for prayer is part of how the church carries each other's burdens (Galatians 6:2).
What is an unspoken prayer request?
An unspoken prayer request asks others to pray without sharing the details. You can say, "I have something hard going on that I can't share yet. Please pray for wisdom and peace."
Related guides
- How to keep track of prayer requests without forgettingHow to keep track of prayer requests from friends, church, and family, so you remember to pray, follow up, and see how God answers over time.
- Prayer cards, how to use them to pray for peopleHow to use prayer cards to pray for people, what to write on each card, how often to pray through them, and what to do when a prayer is answered.
- Prayer list examples for family, friends, church, and morePrayer list examples you can copy for family, friends, church, work, health, and the world, plus a weekly list and how to pray through it.
- Prayer list for church, what to pray for your congregationA prayer list for church you can use on your own or in a prayer meeting, covering pastors, members, missions, and the city, with Scripture for each.