Prayer lists
Prayer list ideas, what to put on your prayer list
· 2 min read
Prayer list ideas for when you're not sure what to pray for, from people close to you to your church, your city, and requests straight from Scripture.
If you’re not sure what to put on your prayer list, these prayer list ideas will help you start. They move from the people closest to you to your church, your city, and the world, and they include requests that come straight from Scripture.
What should I put on my prayer list?
A prayer list can hold anyone and anything you want to bring to God. Start with the people closest to you, then widen the circle to your church, your neighbors and city, your leaders, and Christians around the world. Add requests that come straight from Scripture, a few lines of thanks, and your own needs, so the list reaches past the people you see every day.
People close to you
- Your family, one person at a time
- Friends who are going through something hard
- Neighbors you see every week
- Coworkers or classmates
- Someone who has hurt you (Matthew 5:44)
Your church
- Your pastor and elders
- People who are sick, grieving, or caring for someone
- New believers and those asking questions about faith
- Missionaries your church supports
Your city and the world
- Leaders and everyone in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
- Christians who are persecuted
- Places in the news this week
- Bible translators and church planters
Requests from Scripture
The Bible gives us words to pray. Add these next to names on your list.
- Wisdom (James 1:5)
- Daily bread and forgiveness (Matthew 6:11-12)
- To know God’s will and grow in knowing Him (Colossians 1:9-10)
- To grasp how wide and deep the love of Christ is (Ephesians 3:16-19)
- Boldness to speak about Jesus (Ephesians 6:19)
Thanks
- Answers to prayer from this past month
- People God has put in your life
- Your church family
- Something ordinary, like a meal or a good night’s sleep
Yourself
Jesus taught us to pray for our own needs, too. Add a few lines for your growth, your work, and the things that worry you. See how to pray for yourself.
Put your ideas on prayer cards
In The Pray App, each idea can be its own prayer card, with a short prayer, a category, and a Bible verse. You can type one at a time or paste a whole list.
Write a prayer, pick a category like Family or Health, and add a verse if you want one.
Download The Pray App free on the App Store, then see how to create a prayer card. For ready-made lists, see these prayer list examples.
Questions people ask
What are good things to pray for?
Pray for the people around you, for your church, for those in authority, for those who don't know God, and for your own growth. Scripture also gives specific requests, like wisdom (James 1:5) and daily bread (Matthew 6:11).
How do I pray for someone when I don't know their needs?
Pray for them by name, that they would know God, be kept safe, and grow in faith. Paul prayed this way for churches he had never visited.
Should my prayer list include myself?
Yes. Jesus taught us to ask for daily bread and forgiveness for ourselves (Matthew 6:11-12). Add a few lines for your own needs and growth.
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.