5 Powerful Prayers to Strengthen the Hearts of Our StudentsSýnishorn

Friend

Have you ever been the new kid at school? Perhaps you left close friends behind and wrestled with the unwelcomed reality of feeling invisible amidst the chatter of your classmates. Perhaps your face was red with embarrassment as you were picked last…again…during gym class. Perhaps your name was whispered behind your back during band practice as peers taunted you.

In addition to these humiliating real-life moments I experienced as a new 7th grader was the excruciating 28 minutes in the cafeteria each day…alone. During those dark days of isolation, God became my friend. What a privilege we have to prayerfully step into the pain many students experience as a result of strained, dysfunctional, or non-existent friendships in their schools.

As we begin these 5 powerful prayers on behalf of students, we can be confident that friendship with God will transform their hearts.

Praise God, Our Friend

John 15:13 tells us, “Greater love has no one than this, that He lay down his life for His friends.”

Holy God, high and exalted, You are the creator of all things and yet You humbled Yourself and laid down Your life to pay for our sins. Then You called us Your friends. How amazing that You draw us into friendship with You!

Pray for Hearts to Experience the Benefits of Friendship

The author of Proverbs wrote, “A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.”

This year we pray that students will be blessed and strengthened with healthy, strong friendships. May their souls be refreshed and defended, especially during times of adversity. May students reach out to those who are lonely and in need of genuine friends.

Pray for Hearts that are Cautious in Friendship

“A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 12:26

Proverbs 22:24 instructs, “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.”

God, we pray against dysfunctional friendships in our school communities. As interpersonal circles are created, may students be cautious and discerning in choosing friends, that they would not be led astray or ensnared. Change the hearts of those who are easily angered or seek to lead others into hurtful paths. We are expectant to see the fruit of the new friendships that You create as this year continues. In Jesus’ name, Amen.