Prayers For Teens

QUESTION: What are some prayers for teens?

ANSWER:

Consider these prayers for teens.

When you need friends:
“There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

Heavenly Father,
You are a gracious and loving Lord. I don’t have any friends, and I really miss having them. Please bring some people into my life that I may share with them memorable times. Open my eyes to see the good qualities in people around me. Help me be the type of friend to others, as the type of friend I seek. I thank You, Heavenly Father. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Helpful Resources: Psalms 119:63; Proverbs 17:17; Proverbs 27:10-11; Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; Malachi 3:16-17; Acts 20:35; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 John 1:3-7.

When you need guidance:
“The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you” (Psalm 32:8).

Heavenly Father,
I know you are the great counselor! I am in need of guidance, for I don’t know what to do. Help me to do what You want done in this situation. Please send someone to show me the steps I need to take. I depend on You, and I thank You, Heavenly Father. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Helpful Resources: 2 Samuel 22:9; Psalm 31:3; 25:9; 48:14; 78:24; 107:7; Proverbs 3:5; 16:3; Isaiah 30:21; 48:17; 58:11.

When you need money:
“And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith!” (Luke 12:28).

Heavenly Father,
Help me to have faith that You will provide what I need, when I need it. Open up a job that will fit the hours I have available outside of school to pay for my expenses. I trust in You, Lord. Thank You for providing for my family and me. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Helpful Resources: Psalm 23:1; 34:10; 37:25; 111:5; Isaiah 33:15-16; Joel 2:26; Malachi 3:10; Philippians 4:19.

When you feel tempted:
“Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow” (James 1:2-3).

Heavenly Father, I know You are strong. I need help right now, because I am being tempted to join activities that I know are not good or appropriate for me. Give me strength to say ‘no thanks’ to this pressure. Help me to find something else to keep myself busy in place of the activities my peers want me to participate in. You are my strength in this, Lord. I thank You Heavenly Father for understanding all the temptations that face teenagers today, and what it takes to refrain from being lured in the wrong direction. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Helpful Resources: Psalm 1:1-3; 119:11; Luke 22:31-32; Ephesians 6:10-11; Hebrews 2:18; 4:15-16; James 1:12-14; 4:7; 1 Peter 1:6-7; 1 John 4:4.

When Your family needs prayer:
“The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9).

Heavenly Father,
I know You see everything and know how each situation turns out. I will trust in You. My family needs help. Show me what I can do to make life easier for them. Help my family find Your salvation so we don’t fight like we do now. Help me to show them You in my life. I thank You, Heavenly Father for your love and concern. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Helpful Resources: Acts 11:14; 16:31.

When you need a sense of purpose:
“You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name” (John 15:16).

Heavenly Father,
I look to You in my time of need. I don’t feel like I matter much to people in this world. My self-confidence is really low right now, and I don’t know where to turn. Do You really have a specific plan for my life? That is an awesome thought.

Help me to see myself, as You see me. Teach me the things I need to learn to fulfill that purpose. I place myself into Your hands, because I trust in Your opinion of me. Thank You, Heavenly Father for believing in me. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Helpful Resources: Jeremiah 1:5; John 14:13; 16:24; Romans 8:28-29; Romans 12:4-13.

When you feel threatened:
“Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up” (Hebrews 12:3).

Heavenly Father,
I don’t know who else to turn to for making the bullies stop their aggression. It seems no one can stop them. They intimidate and frighten everyone. I don’t like being afraid, and it upsets me when I see them beating on others. Help me to know when to make a stand and when to ignore the threats. Please send us someone who can get them to stop.

If I cannot help them by showing them You in my life, Lord, then get them out of my way. I thank You, Heavenly Father, for protecting me and keeping me safe. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Helpful Resources:
Psalm 18:3; 91:4-15; 34:4; 138:3; Isaiah 41:10; 54:17; Jeremiah 39:17; Luke 12:4-7; John 10:28; Romans 12:14-21; Colossians 3:25; Hebrews 13:6.

When you have thoughts of suicide:
“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words” (Romans 8:26).

Heavenly Father,
I feel like giving up, for it seems there is no hope in me. I don’t want to go on. I don’t feel like fighting anymore. I need something to hang on to or I’m going to lose it. Show me again, Lord, how much You love me. Please, give me Scriptures that speak of Your promises for me.

I’m very tired, and I need rest. I’m afraid of these thoughts about suicide. Protect my mind, Lord, and clear my head. Help me to think good thoughts about the good things in my life. Remind me of Your goodness to me. I will keep my thoughts on You and praise You.

I thank You, Heavenly Father, for reaching down into my world and drawing me close to You. Thank You for allowing me to soak up your strength during moments like these. I’m clinging to Your strong arm this hour. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Galatians 6:9; Ephesians 6:13; Philippians 4:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 2 Timothy 2:13; Hebrews 3:14; 10:23; 10:35-36; 1 Peter 5:8-9

If you’d like to make a difference in the life of a hurting teen, please consider Compassion International. You can effectively help a child in spiritual and financial need through a monthly sponsorship.