Some prayers to try

You can pray about anything. If the idea of praying is new to you, or you would like to explore further, here are some prayers you may find helpful.

A view along a sandy beach as waves lap the shore.

Wanting Guidance

‘Give me your lantern and compass, give me a map.’
Psalm 43.3

Dear God,
I don’t know what to do.
I can’t see the path ahead.
If you are the light,
please show me.
Help me to think clearly,
see new possibilities,
and wait patiently
for what is right for me.
Then please give me the strength
and courage to take the next step.

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A view looking up a set of worn stone stairs towards a doorway.

Feeling Sad or Anxious

‘God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him.’
Psalm 46.1

*The Message Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved
Image: Wells Cathedral

God,
I’m in a really dark place.
Life is very hard and painful
just now.
I’m really struggling.
Please help me.
Give me the courage and strength
to face each day.
Thank you that even in dark times
I need not feel alone
because you are there with me.

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A rough, stormy sea in the foreground with a dark sky and lightning in the background.

Worried About Someone

‘He heals the heartbroken and bandages their wounds.’
Psalm 147.3

Dear God,
Someone in my life
is in trouble or pain.
Be close to them and help them
know they are not forgotten.
Make things better for them.
While we wait for that to happen,
give them strength to cope
- and hope for tomorrow.

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Grieving

‘If your heart is broken, you’ll find GOD right there.’
Psalm 34.18

Dear God,
Someone I love dearly has died.
You know their name.
I miss them so much.
Please look after them
and help me face the future
without them.
I want to hold on to all
that they mean to me.
Help me to trust that nothing can
separate us from your love.

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The multicoloured stained glass window in the Baptistry of Coventry Cathedral.

Wanting Forgiveness

‘God, make a fresh start in me.’
Psalm 51.10

*The Message Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved
Image: Coventry Cathedral

Dear God,
There are things I wish
I hadn’t thought, or said, or done.
There are things I could have done
to make a difference – but didn’t.
I am sorry.
Thank you that it’s never too late
to be forgiven,
to forgive myself,
to forgive others
- and begin again.

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Being Thankful

‘Thank GOD! And why? Because he’s good, because his love lasts.’
Psalm 106.1

Dear God,
Thank you for all the good things
in my life, big and small.
Thank you for the people
who care about me.
Thank you for the
beauty of the world –
the birds, the trees, the sky.
Thank you for everything
that makes me who I am
or helps me grow as a person.

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A reflection in water of a church ceiling and stained glass windows.

Finding Peace

‘You find me quiet pools.’
Psalm 23.2

*The Message Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved
Image: Salisbury Cathedral by Graham Wood

Dear God,
I am learning to be quiet.
Just to be –
and know that you are with me.
Thank you
that I don’t need
special words to talk to you,
or even any words at all.
You are here; I am here.
You hold me
in the stillness of this moment.

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A close up of a modern stained glass window.

Looking for God

‘GOD’s there, listening for all who pray.’
Psalm 145.18

*The Message Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved
Image: Blackburn Cathedral

Dear God,
I don’t know you,
but being here is making me think
I want to discover more about you.
Help me to sense you near me,
not just when I’m in the peace
and beauty I feel and see here,
but in my everyday life.

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Looking up at a wooden pew bathed in coloured light from a stained glassw window.

Feeling Alone

‘Look at me and help me! I’m all alone.’
Psalm 25.16

God,
I am feeling very alone right now.
Even when people are around me.
Sometimes I feel afraid.
Sometimes I feel worthless.
Please help me know
I matter to you.
Help me to feel you near me.
Show me how to connect
more deeply with others,
and find new comfort and hope.

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Looking up at the colourful vaulted ceiling of the crossing in a church.

Struggling with Change

‘Is anyone crying for help? GOD is listening, ready to rescue you.’
Psalm 34.17

God,
Life isn’t going the way I expected.
I feel insecure and afraid.
I don’t know what will happen
to me or those I care about.
It seems really unfair.
Help me to know what to do.
If this means a new start,
give me the strength and
confidence to move forward.

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A delicate plant with long green leaves grows from the side of a stone.

Being Accepted

‘I am marvellously made! You know me inside and out.’
Psalm 139.14,16

Dear God,
Sometimes I feel
no one accepts me.
Sometimes I find it hard
to accept myself, or feel I belong.
Thank you that you made me,
you know me, and you love me.
Help me to see
I matter to your world.
Show me how to use
the gifts you have given me.

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A detail of a stained glass window with coloured light on the surrounding stonework.

Feeling Hurt

‘I’m hurt and in pain.’
Psalm 69.29

God,
I am hurting.
I feel so many things –
let down, bitter, angry.
I don't want to go on feeling like
this – it's eating away at me.
Please help me deal
with how I feel now.
Help me find ways
to forgive, let go, and
move on to something better.

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