Have you ever been on your knees, ready to pray, yet unsure what to say? Hearing other people pray and reading prayers in the Bible helps us in praying consistently and confidently. That’s the purpose of these 11 examples of prayer for young people.
These short prayers for young adults are meant to inspire you and encourage you to keep praying. Whether you don’t know what to say or simply need structure and guidance as to how to pray, remember that prayers are powerful because of whom you’re praying to—the God of the Universe.
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Prayer for Young People
In Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus teaches his disciples (and us) how to pray. He gives them an example as he prays to God the Father. This is commonly known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” It should serve as our framework when we pray, and to pray maturely, is to follow Jesus’s example in our prayers.
How do you pray maturely?
When we pray, first, we praise God for his character and who he is. Then, we praise God and recognize his authority in our life and over all things. This is a reminder to us to surrender our hearts and will to God’s will, which is sovereign.
Next, we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness, just as we are called to forgive others who have wronged us. Last, we make our requests for God, wherever we want him to intervene in our lives and the lives of others. The Lord’s prayer wraps up with Jesus again praising God for who He is and acknowledging his divine nature and power.
While I won’t follow this format exactly in the examples below of prayers for young people, the Lord’s Prayer is something to keep in our minds as we pray. In times where we don’t know how to pray or what to say, reciting the Lord’s Prayer keeps us connected to God.
Being a mature prayer warrior comes with time and practice. Praying consistently, in quiet, and with others strengthens our prayer life and draws us closer to God.
Short Prayer for Finances
This short prayer for young adults focuses on money and finances. Some are surprised by how much God has to say about money in the Bible. But as every aspect of our life can be used to worship God, our finances and how we handle money can glorify God.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for being my Rock and my Provider. I praise and thank you for all the ways that you have provided for me with shelter, food, clothing, transportation, a job, and more.
Help me to remember that everything I have belongs to you. You are the one who empowers me to work and sustains me so I can earn money. Protect my heart so that it does not become slave to money.
In my finances, give me godly wisdom so that I may save, spend, and invest money in a way that honors You. Give me discipline and guidance as I read Your Word so that I may steward your blessings well and serve you with my finances.
In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Short Prayer for Moving
Dear Heavenly Father, I am both excited and nervous about moving to a new area / city / state. There is so much change going on that I become anxious / overwhelmed about all there is to do before moving.
In my decision making, help me to seek out your will and your guidance. Make my journey straight and smooth. Iron out the details ahead of time so that the moving process runs smoothly.
Lastly, I ask Lord that you prepare the hearts of the people I am about to meet in this new place. May the local church welcome me so that I may quickly find a spiritual home. And let those who don’t know Jesus soften their hearts so they are ready to hear from me about the wonderful love you have for them.
In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Short Prayer for a First Job
Dear God, thank You for this job, and this opportunity to earn money and learn on the job. I pray that I will make a good first impression and be a good employee.
In your word, it says that we are to work as though we are working for You, Lord, and not for man (Colossians 3:23). So may my work be pleasing to you.
Help me to work hard and be disciplined, meet my deadlines, collaborate well with my coworkers, and be respectful to my clients, customers, managers, and fellow employees.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Short Prayer for Young People in Finding God’s Will
I know from experience that praying for God’s will in your life can be scary. Because you don’t know where he will lead you, and yet you are already committing to follow. I talk about this in my article for reclaim today about how finding God’s will for my life meant committing to choose trusting God over fear.
Use this short prayer for young adults to pray for God’s will over your life.
How do I pray for God’s will in my life?
Dear God, Your Word tells us that you have a plan and purpose for each of your children. And I thank you for the care you’ve given to creating us and writing each of our stories.
Lord, I come to you with a desire to know your will for my life. I pray that you would reveal it to me as I seek to love and honor You with my life.
While I know you may not reveal all to me right now, Lord, I am just asking for the next step. What do you want me to do where I am now (in my current job, at my current school) that would bring glory to you?
Lord, I ask for your guidance and direction. Give me wisdom to make godly decisions, and give me the strength and courage to follow where you lead. May I not bow down to fear, but instead trust that Your will is Your best—this day and every day.
In Jesus’s Name. Amen.
Short Prayer for Others for Salvation
Whenever a friend or family member who doesn’t know Jesus comes to mind, I pray for them. Even when conversations hit a dead end and I no longer actively witness to someone, I still pray for them.
Here’s the short prayer for young adults I say for God to soften their hearts to hear His truth.
Dear Lord, I lift up my friend / family member / coworker, <NAME>. I ask that you would soften their heart and mind to hearing the truth of who you are and your love for them.
Lord, I pray for the continued work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. May the Holy Spirit convict them of their sin and awaken a thirst for You, God, in their hearts. I pray that their conviction will humble them and bring them to Your throne and not push them farther away.
God, help me to be a light to this person. Through my actions, show them your love. When they do ask me questions about my faith, give me the words to say. I desire for them to know You, and I know You want all to be saved and to know You (1 Timothy 2:4).
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Intercessory Prayer for Young Adults
An intercessory prayer is when we pray on behalf of others. In the gospels, we see many examples of Jesus doing intercessory prayer, for example, when he prays for his disciples.
In John 17:15-17, Jesus prays, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”
Here’s a short intercessory prayer for young adults to use for friends, family, coworkers, and anyone whom you want to pray for.
Dear God, I lift you up my friend / family member / coworker, <NAME>. He/She is struggling with <describe the situation>.
I ask for your intervention in their life. Lord, I pray that you would bring resolution and peace to their situation.
In your love, God comfort them and help them endure through this hard time. Remind them everyday that You are with them always (Matthew 28:20).
In a time where they feel far from you, Lord, I pray you would draw them closer. Through this situation, may they come to know You and rely on You more and more.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Short Prayer for Mental Health
More and more young adults are struggling with mental health. God cares about this part of our health as well. Here’s a short prayer for young adults who need God to intervene in their mental health.
Dear Heavenly Father, I am mentally exhausted, tired, worn-out, burned-out, and unsure where to turn. I am holding on to the truth that you care for me.
Lord, when my anxiety and fear is overwhelming, I am reaching for you. I need You.
1 Peter 5:6-7 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (ESV) Hebrews 13:5 says that you will never leave me or forsake me.
Surround me in your love. Help me to feel your presence right now. Focus my eyes, heart, and mind on you in this moment where I feel like everything is falling apart.
Lord, if I am to seek counseling or therapy, give me the strength to do so. Give the counselor wisdom and tact to help me work through these mental health struggles and bring me back to You.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Short Prayer for Physical Health
This next prayer for young people can be adapted to pray for others as well as yourself. In times where our physical health has taken a downturn, prayer connects us to God when we feel hopeless or helpless.
Prayer reminds us that God is in control of the situation. Though we may not know why He has allowed this in our lives, we can be confident that he is with us through it all.
Dear God, You are strong and mighty and nothing is too hard for You. You are all-powerful, and you are our Creator and Healer. In Psalm 103, it says:
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (verses 2-5, ESV)
Lord, I ask for your hand over this physical health situation in my (or someone else’s) life. May you put your healing hands over me (or someone else) and, if it your will, heal me (or someone else) from this ailment.
Give the doctors guidance and direction about what to do and what treatment to give. Bring to the doctor’s attention the correct diagnosis and help them help me (or someone else).
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Short Prayer for Hard Times
How do you pray when life is hard?
When life is hard, we should be honest with God about how we feel and express our emotions to him. Additionally, we should seek comfort from God’s word and pray his promises. For specific situations or feelings, I recommend praying from this list of encouraging scriptures for emergency situations.
By continuing to pray in this way, we can reposition our hearts to acknowledge God’s control and sovereignty over the situation even though we’re struggling.
When life is hard, but we still pray, we are trusting God. Our prayers are a declaration that God cares about us and loves us even though he allowed this situation into our life.
Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you weary and weak from this hard situation I’m in. Lord, I’m feeling sad / anxious / lonely / heartbroken…, and I don’t know what to do.
In your word, you promise to be with us always, to never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 3:15). You also say that, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) Lord, I feel as though my spirit is crushed.
Reveal to me your purpose in this situation. Help me to see you working in my life and the lives of others through this. If there is a way out, Lord, allow me to take it.
But if it is your will that I stay here, then sustain me with your love that I might endure this hardship. Though I am weak, your grace is sufficient for me and your power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Help me to hold onto that truth every moment.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Short Prayer Confession
When it comes to good short prayers involving confession and forgiveness, I recommend reading Psalm 51. This is David’s prayer to God after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband.
Safe to say that David was repentant and seeking forgiveness from God. This is exactly what we should do when we confess our sin to God. Here’s a short prayer for young adults that focuses on confession and asking for forgiveness.
Dear God, as I begin this prayer of confession, I want to recognize and thank you for what Jesus did on the cross. Lord, thank you for sending your son to earth to die for my sins. Thank You that his sacrifice paid my sin debt and wiped my slate clean.
Thank You that because of Jesus nothing can separate me from Your love—not even my own sin.
I come to you now with a repentant and contrite heart. I am sorry, Lord, for my sin. I know that sin breaks your heart, and it has broken mine as well. I ask for Your forgiveness.
I ask that in my confession, you would change my heart so that I may turn away from this sin and do it no longer. Sanctify me in your truth. Your word is truth. (John 17:17)
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Short Prayers of Thanksgiving
Dear Heavenly Father, I sing to You in my heart, thanking you for your goodness, your character, what you have done and what you will do.
Psalm 100 says, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (verses 4-5, ESV)
Lord, I thank you for your blessings. I don’t deserve your love, and I could never earn it. But Lord, my heart is full with gratitude for who you are and your unconditional love for me, a sinner.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
What is a powerful prayer to say?
Prayers are powerful not because of the words we say, but because of whom we’re praying to. When you pray, you are recognizing God with all the authority, honor, and glory he deserves.
Our prayers are powerful because God is all-powerful and all-mighty. Nothing is impossible for Him.
He can soften your friends’ heart who is cold to the gospel. He can turn around a hard situation in your life. He can bring healing and forgive sins.
In each of these short examples of prayer for young people, remember that the power is not in the words. All the power comes from the God whom we serve.
What types of short inspiring prayers do you want to see added to this list?
Leave me a comment below!
Check out More Posts about Growing in Faith:
- Lessons & Stories to Unlock the Power of Prayer
- 7 Characteristics of a Prayer Warrior Friend
- 7 Genuine Ways to Connect with God (Again)
- 40 Best Christian Books for Young Women
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