Prayer lists
How to keep track of prayer requests without forgetting
· 3 min read
How 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.
To keep track of prayer requests, write each one down as soon as you hear it, keep them all in one place, and set a time each day to pray through the ones that are due. Most requests are forgotten in the gap between “I’ll pray for you” and the next time we pray.
How do you keep track of prayer requests?
Keeping track of prayer requests takes three habits: write each request down the moment you hear it, keep every request in one list, and decide how often each one comes up. Then pray at a set time each day, tell people you prayed, and write down how God answers, so nothing slips through the gap between “I’ll pray for you” and actually praying.
1. Write it down right away
A prayer request is easiest to keep when you write it down before the conversation ends. When someone shares a need after church or in a text, note the name, the need in a few words, and the date. “Michael, surgery Tuesday, Oct 20” is enough.
For help wording a request in a sentence or two, see these prayer request examples.
2. Keep every request in one place
Prayer requests scattered across texts, sticky notes, and church emails get lost. Pick one place, a notebook, a note on your phone, or an app, and put everything there.
A prayer list app keeps every request on your phone, so the list is with you when someone asks you to pray.
3. Decide how often to pray for each one
The right frequency for a prayer request depends on the need. A surgery next week might need prayer every day. A friend’s job search might come up once a week. Decide when you write it down, so each day’s list stays short. See how to choose how often a prayer comes up.
For what Jesus taught about persistence and a daily, weekly, and monthly rhythm, see how often you should pray for something.
4. Pray at the same time each day
A set prayer time makes it easier to keep going. Morning works for many people, but any time you’ll keep is the right one. Daniel prayed three times a day, “as he had done previously” (Daniel 6:10, ESV).
5. Follow up
Following up on a prayer request means telling the person you prayed and asking how it’s going. A short text, “I prayed for you today,” can mean a lot, and their answer tells you how to keep praying. See how to pray for others.
6. Record the answers
A record of answered prayers shows how faithful God has been. When God answers, write down how and when. Some prayers stay open for a long time, and looking back over months helps you keep praying (Psalm 77:11).
A prayer tracker app shows how long you have prayed for each request and which ones God has answered.
Keep track of prayer requests in The Pray App
The Pray App keeps every request as its own prayer card. Paste the requests you’ve collected, choose how often each one comes up, and Today on Home shows only the cards that are due, with about how long they’ll take. Tap Start praying to go through them one at a time.
Today shows the requests that are due, so nothing gets lost.
When you finish, the summary lists the people you prayed for. Tap the message button next to a name, and Messages opens with “Hi Sarah, I prayed for you today.” ready for you to edit or send.
After you pray, tap the message button to let someone know.
When God answers, tap Answered on the card and write how. It moves to Stones of Remembrance in Journey.
The Pray App is free on the App Store. See how to add many prayers at once.
Questions people ask
What is the best way to keep track of prayer requests?
Write each request down as soon as you hear it, in one place. Note the person, the need, and the date, then decide how often you'll pray for it.
How do I remember to pray for people?
Set a daily time and a reminder, and keep your list where you'll see it. A list that shows only today's requests makes it easier to start.
Should I follow up after praying for someone?
Yes. A short message saying you prayed for them encourages them, and asking how things are going helps you know how to keep praying.
Related guides
- 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.
- Prayer list for family, what to pray for each personA prayer list for family with what to pray for parents, siblings, children, and extended family, plus Scripture to pray and a way to keep it going each week.