8 Prayers for Friendship | Free Printable for Parents

The people our kids hang out with will change them! We need these 8 prayers for friendships to help support them.

Praying for friendships has consumed much of my parenting life. I can’t say I predicted that friendships would be the hottest topic of parenting, but it’s certainly at the top of the list. Of my 4 children, all 4 have experienced deep difficulty with friendships.

One of my children really struggled to reach out and make friends because she was so shy. We worked very hard to learn skills to overcome that barrier, and it changed her life.

Another child makes friends easily but struggles to know how to handle friends who are a bad influence.

One of my boys had a pretty rough patch with being bullied a few years back.

We’ve learned a lot, grown a lot, and PRAYED a lot more. God has been and will continue to be faithful. If you feel desperate for help with your kids’ friendships, start on your knees with specific prayers for friendships. There may be some other things you can do, but if you leave this one out, all of your efforts will be in vain.

8 Prayers for Friendships

I get it. Sometimes we KNOW how important prayer is, but we just aren’t sure exactly where to start. And other times, we just need a few new ideas to get us going. Either way, you’ll love these prayers for friendship and the free printable that follows!

1. Pray for true friendship

As a parent, true friendship is something I’ve prayed for myself and for my kids to find! In the midst of this uncertain world, I pray my kids learn how to be consistent and true friends. A true friendship is focused NOT on what others can do for you but on what you can do for your friends.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

In 1 Samuel 20, David finds a friend who sticks by his side through hard situations—even deadly ones! I am praying for my kids to find friendships like this. Through the friendship of David and Jonathan, we get a glimpse of what it looks like to lay down your life for a true friend and remain faithful even through hard times. 

2. Pray for wise friendships

Seeking wise company can be a challenge for our kids—especially when they just want to have friends. But the reminder to pray for wise friends sticks out to me. Because of the way the world is today, it is so easy to get caught up in the wrong crowd and get distracted by what everyone else thinks.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 1:1–2

In Psalm 1:1–2, God strongly advises us on who to spend our time with. I’ve had to ask myself, “Are my kids in good company?” To be in good company and to find wise friends is what I pray for my kids. Our kids want friends—let’s pray for friends that are wise.

3. Pray for friendships that grow faith

Have you ever received wisdom from an older friend? Older friends are such a blessing. These mentor-type friendships are something to pray for. In the book of Acts and again in the books of 1 and 2 Timothy, we see the mentor-type friendship of Paul and Timothy. They spur each other on to follow after God.

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17

Paul encourages Timothy to seek God and urges him to pursue things in life with eternal value. I am praying for friendships that sharpen and grow my kids’ faith. I pray for someone who will mentor my kids and help them grow in their faith. Let’s pray for friends who will spur each other on as they seek after God.   

4. Pray for faithful friendships

Sometimes we have to choose to remain faithful to friends. It’s not easy. There are sacrifices involved. I am tempted daily by the world to not make time for those friendships. But I know God has more to teach me through those friendships.

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

Proverbs 3:3

In the Bible, Ruth and Naomi’s relationship is a great example of a friendship that turns into a faithful friendship as they seek God together. They show commitment to each other through sacrifice. As we pray for our kids’ friendships, let’s commit to praying for our kids to remain faithful in their friendships no matter what—even if sacrifice is required! 

5. Pray for friendships that build up one another

Would you say your kids have good friends? I think that’s a tough question. What makes a good friend? I am reminded to pray not just for good friends but for friendships that will build each other up.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32

The description in Ephesians of how to treat our friends has made an impact on me. It encourages me to pray for a friend who is kind, for a friend who feels love, sadness, and compassion, and for a friend who forgives. I pray my kids’ friendships will be a source of strength as they walk with the Lord.

6. Pray for friendships that stand firm in times of pressure

The friendship of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is a great example of a friendship that stands firm in times of pressure. Their example reminds me to pray for those firm friendships. I pray for friends my kids can trust to stand with them as they face pressure and rely on God. I pray for friends who will build one another up.

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13

Our kids face daily pressures with friends, media, school, etc. But when they have friends they can stand up with under pressure, that can be life-changing. I am praying for friends they can encourage—friends that will build each other up to stay committed to God as they face temptations and pressure. It will take firm friendships to go against the grain. Let’s pray our kids have those types of strong friendships!

7. Pray for difficult friendships

Sometimes a friend doesn’t always look like the type of friend we imagined. Yet God can use those friendships in the lives of our kids. They will learn how to be strengthened by the friends they are surrounded by.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10

Difficult friendships can cause stronger and more refined friendships. As my kids learn how to handle conflicting friendships, my prayers for friendships include praying they will become better friends. Through the lens of God’s grace, our kids will grow and learn to trust God. Pray for friends in our kids’ lives who they can support and encourage. I pray that they will trust God as their strength in those friendships.

8. Pray for forever friendships

A friend who accepts us and loves us at all times is unique. Right? Siblings can be that type of friend. Friends that are close like siblings can also be a treasure. I am praying for my kids to have friendships that are strengthened over time and show love over time.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:17

Faithful friends who stick together no matter the circumstances are something I’m praying for. Learning to love at all times and be a friend through all circumstances is another prayer I have for my kids. Let’s commit to praying for these friendships for our kids!

Friendships are not always easy. No matter how old you are, friendship issues can feel like being stuck in the middle of a dark, stormy sea. This is why we need the faithful compass of the Bible to direct our “ships” back to calmer waters and back to His glory. This friendship Bible study shows you how to keep Christ as your focus in all friendships.

8 Prayers for Friendship FREE Printable

You can print out and use this 8 Prayers for Friendship printable that I’ve created to help keep these thoughts and prayers in mind throughout your day. Tuck it in your Bible or prayer journal. Hang it on your fridge or keep it in your purse.

I recommend printing it on cardstock so that it will be more sturdy. Simply fill out the box below to get your copy of the printable!

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