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Things To Pray For: 50 Prayer Ideas When You Don’t Know What To Pray

  • Writer: Karen O'Reilly
    Karen O'Reilly
  • 7 hours ago
  • 14 min read

Have you ever sat down to pray and suddenly felt stuck?

You want to spend time with God. You want to pray with faith. You want to bring your heart before Him. But then your mind goes blank, or you find yourself praying the same few sentences over and over again.


If that sounds familiar, you are not alone.

Sometimes we simply need a little help knowing what to pray for. A prayer list can gently guide our hearts, remind us of what matters, and help us bring every part of our lives before the Lord.


Prayer is not about having perfect words. It is about coming before God with open hearts, praising Him for who He is, surrendering what is weighing on us, thanking Him for His goodness, and asking Him to move in our lives and in the lives of others.


Things to pray for with a list of 50 topics blog post cover

Things To Pray For

This list of 50 things to pray for is designed to help you pray with more purpose, focus, and faith.

And if you would love guided prayer prompts all year long, I’d love to invite you to join the 365 Day Prayer Challenge. It was created to help you build a consistent, Scripture-filled prayer life one day at a time.


What Should I Pray For?

You can pray about everything.

Nothing is too big for God, and nothing is too small to bring before Him. You can pray for your relationship with God, your family, your work, your decisions, your church, your community, your worries, your hopes, your future, and the needs of the world around you.

Philippians 4:6 reminds us:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”Philippians 4:6.

God invites us to come to Him with open hearts. We do not need to pretend, perform, or polish our words. We can simply come.


How The ACTS Prayer Method Can Help You Pray With Purpose

Prayer changes when we stop rushing straight to our requests and begin by remembering who we are speaking to.

That is one of the reasons I love teaching the ACTS prayer method. It gives you a simple, biblical rhythm for prayer: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.


Instead of wondering what to say next, ACTS gently guides your heart into worship, confession, gratitude, and the laying of all your burdens before God, inviting and expecting Him to hear your prayers and work things out for good.


You begin with Adoration, praising God for His character — His holiness, mercy, faithfulness, power, love, and goodness.


Then comes Confession, where you bring your sins, weaknesses, distractions, and burdens before Him.


After that, you move into Thanksgiving, remembering the ways God has provided, answered, sustained, and carried you.


Then you finish with Supplication, bringing your requests to Him for yourself, your family, your church, your community, and the world around you.


This is such an essential part of prayer because it keeps our hearts centered on God, not just our circumstances. It reminds us that prayer is not a performance. It is a relationship. It is coming near to the Father who already knows us, loves us, and invites us to ask, seek, and knock.


This is also why the prayer resources at Scriptural Grace are created with intentional prayer in mind. My prayer journals, Scripture prayer prompts, and the 365 Day Prayer Challenge are designed to help you adore God, confess, give thanks regularly, and bring your requests before Him with confidence.


If you have ever wanted to pray more consistently but did not know where to begin, the ACTS method is a beautiful place to start.


How To Use These 50 Prayer Ideas

You do not need to pray through all 50 prayer points at once.

You could choose one prayer idea each day, write it in your prayer journal, read the suggested Bible verses, and turn it into a personal prayer. Another awesome idea is to make a prayer Bible. You grab your Bible, mark the scripture, and tab it. Then, when you want to pray but don't know what to pray, open your Bible and pray the selected scripture. I will be doing a deep dive into how I'm making a Prayer Bible for my son and his wife (newlyweds!) very soon.


You can also pray each topic using the ACTS method:


  1. Adoration: What does this prayer point reveal about who God is?

  2. Confession: Is there anything I need to surrender or confess?

  3. Thanksgiving: What can I thank God for in this area?

  4. Supplication: What do I need to ask God for today?


For example, if you are praying for wisdom, you might praise God as the source of all wisdom, confess the times you have leaned on your own understanding, thank Him for guiding you in the past, and then ask Him to lead you clearly today.


50 Things to pray for When You Don't Know What to pray

50 Things To Pray For

The following prayer points give you various scriptures for you to pray. Look them up in your favorite Bible translation and pray a prayer based on those scriptures. For your convenience, I have linked the Bible references to Bible Gateway, where you can read them online in the NIV translation or use the drop-down menu to read them in another Bible translation.


Let's dive into these prayer points and scriptures!


1. Pray To Know God More Deeply

Ask God to help you know Him more, not just know about Him.


Prayer point: Lord, draw me closer to You and help me grow in love, trust, and obedience.


2. Pray For A Heart Of Worship

Pray that your heart would be full of praise, even in ordinary moments.

Prayer point: Father, help me worship You for who You are, not only for what You do.


3. Pray For A Hunger For God’s Word

Ask God to give you a deeper desire to read, understand, and obey Scripture.

Prayer point: Lord, open my eyes to the beauty and truth of Your Word.


4. Pray For A Consistent Prayer Life

Pray for the grace to keep coming to God, even when you feel distracted or discouraged.

Prayer point: Lord, teach me to pray faithfully and help me not give up.


5. Pray For Forgiveness

Come before God honestly and receive His mercy and grace.

Prayer point: Father, forgive me for my sins and create in me a clean heart.


6. Pray For A Repentant Heart

Ask God to help you turn away from sin and walk in obedience.

Prayer point: Lord, soften my heart and help me surrender anything that pulls me away from You.


7. Pray For Wisdom

Ask God for wisdom in your decisions, conversations, and responsibilities.

Prayer point: Lord, give me wisdom for the choices I need to make today.


8. Pray For Discernment

Pray that you would recognize what is true, wise, and pleasing to God.

Prayer point: Father, help me discern what is from You and what is not.


9. Pray For Guidance And Direction

Ask God to lead you clearly and help you follow Him faithfully.

Prayer point: Lord, guide my steps and help me walk in the path You have prepared for me.


10. Pray For Faith

Ask God to strengthen your faith when life feels uncertain.

Prayer point: Lord, help me believe You, trust You, and stand firm on Your promises.


11. Pray For Peace

Bring your anxious thoughts to God and ask Him to guard your heart.

Prayer point: Father, fill me with Your peace and help me rest in Your presence.


12. Pray For Freedom From Fear

Ask God to help you trust Him more than you fear what might happen.

Prayer point: Lord, replace my fear with faith and remind me that You are with me.


13. Pray For Joy

Ask God to restore your joy and help you rejoice in Him.

Prayer point: Lord, fill my heart with joy that is rooted in You, not my circumstances.


14. Pray For Hope

Pray for renewed hope when your heart feels weary.

Prayer point: Father, remind me that my hope is secure in You.


15. Pray For Strength

Ask God to strengthen you for what He has called you to carry.

Prayer point: Lord, give me strength for today and help me depend on You.


16. Pray For Healing

Bring physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs before God.

Prayer point: Father, bring healing, comfort, and restoration according to Your will.


17. Pray For Protection

Ask God to protect you and your loved ones.

Prayer point: Lord, protect us physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.


18. Pray For Your Mind

Ask God to renew your thoughts and help you focus on truth.

Prayer point: Father, renew my mind and help me take every thought captive to Christ.


19. Pray For Your Heart

Ask God to guard, heal, and shape your heart.

Prayer point: Lord, search my heart and align my desires with Yours.


20. Pray For Help To Forgive Others

Ask God to help you release bitterness and forgive as He has forgiven you.

Prayer point: Lord, help me forgive those who have hurt me and walk in freedom.


21. Pray For Your Marriage

Ask God to strengthen love, unity, communication, and grace in your marriage.

Prayer point: Lord, help our marriage reflect patience, kindness, faithfulness, and love.


22. Pray For Your Spouse

Pray for your spouse’s walk with God, work, health, protection, and purpose.

Prayer point: Father, bless my spouse and help them walk closely with You.


23. Pray For Your Children

Ask God to draw your children close to Him and help them grow in wisdom and faith. Pray for their school teachers, for their safety.

Prayer point: Lord, teach my children, guide their hearts, and help them know You personally.


24. Pray For Adult Children

Pray for their decisions, relationships, work, faith, and future.

Prayer point: Father, guide my adult children and help them walk in Your wisdom.


25. Pray For Your Family

Ask God to bring peace, love, forgiveness, and unity into your family.

Prayer point: Lord, strengthen my family and help us love one another well.


26. Pray For Friendships

Ask God to bless you with godly friendships and help you be a faithful friend.

Prayer point: Father, surround me with wise, loving friends and help me encourage others.


27. Pray For Your Church

Pray for your church to grow in love, truth, unity, and mission.

Prayer point: Lord, strengthen my church and help us faithfully serve You.


28. Pray For Your Pastor And Church Leaders

Ask God to strengthen, protect, and encourage those who lead.

Prayer point: Father, give my pastors wisdom, endurance, courage, and joy.


29. Pray For Your Community

Ask God to bring peace, salvation, provision, and healing to your community.

Prayer point: Lord, let Your love and truth be seen in my community.


30. Pray For Your Nation

Pray for mercy, wisdom, justice, righteousness, and godly leadership.

Prayer point: Father, have mercy on our nation and guide those in authority.


31. Pray For Missionaries

Ask God to strengthen and provide for those sharing the gospel.

Prayer point: Lord, protect missionaries and open doors for the gospel.


32. Pray For The Lost

Pray for people who do not yet know Jesus.

Prayer point: Father, open hearts to receive the good news of Jesus Christ.


33. Pray For Your Work

Ask God to help you work with excellence, integrity, wisdom, and purpose.

Prayer point: Lord, bless the work of my hands and help me honor You in what I do.


34. Pray For Provision

Ask God to provide for your needs and help you trust Him.

Prayer point: Father, provide what I need and help me seek Your kingdom first.


35. Pray For Finances

Pray for wisdom, discipline, contentment, generosity, and provision.

Prayer point: Lord, help me steward money wisely and trust You as my provider.


36. Pray For Open Doors

Ask God to open the right doors and close the wrong ones.

Prayer point: Lord, lead me into the opportunities that are from You.


37. Pray For Your Calling

Ask God to help you walk in the good works He prepared for you.

Prayer point: Father, help me faithfully do what You have created me to do.


38. Pray For Confidence In God

Ask God to help you place your confidence in Him, not in your own strength.

Prayer point: Lord, help me move forward with courage because my confidence is in You.


39. Pray For Contentment

Ask God to help you be grateful and faithful in your current season.

Prayer point: Father, teach me to be content and thankful while I trust You for what is ahead.


40. Pray For Patience

Ask God to help you wait well and trust His timing.

Prayer point: Lord, help me be patient, faithful, and steady while I wait on You.


41. Pray For Self-Control

Ask God to help you surrender your habits, words, thoughts, and choices to Him.

Prayer point: Father, help me walk by the Spirit and choose what honors You.


42. Pray For Humility

Ask God to keep your heart humble and dependent on Him.

Prayer point: Lord, help me walk humbly with You and serve others with love.


43. Pray For Gratitude

Ask God to open your eyes to His goodness.

Prayer point: Father, help me notice Your blessings and give thanks in all circumstances.


44. Pray For Spiritual Warfare

Ask God to help you stand firm against the enemy.

Prayer point: Lord, help me put on the full armor of God and stand strong in You.


45. Pray For Deliverance From Temptation

Ask God to give you strength to resist sin and choose obedience.

Prayer point: Father, lead me away from temptation and help me walk in holiness.


46. Pray For Comfort In Grief

Ask God to comfort those who are grieving and brokenhearted.

Prayer point: Lord, draw near to those who are hurting and comfort them with Your presence.


47. Pray For Those Who Are Sick

Pray for healing, strength, peace, and endurance for those who are unwell.

Prayer point: Father, bring comfort, healing, and hope to those who are sick.


48. Pray For Difficult People

Ask God to help you love, forgive, and respond with wisdom.

Prayer point: Lord, help me show grace, set wise boundaries, and love others as You command.


49. Pray For Revival

Ask God to revive your heart, your family, your church, and the world.

Prayer point: Lord, awaken our hearts and draw us back to You.


50. Pray For God’s Will To Be Done

Surrender your plans, desires, and future to God.

Prayer point: Father, let Your will be done in my life, my family, and the world around me.


Things To Pray For Every Day

If you want a simple daily prayer list, you can pray for:


  • A deeper relationship with God

  • A heart of worship

  • Forgiveness and a clean heart

  • Wisdom for the day

  • Protection and guidance

  • Your family and loved ones

  • Strength to obey God

  • Opportunities to serve others

  • A thankful heart

  • God’s will to be done


You do not need to pray perfectly. Just begin. Choose one thing, open your Bible, and talk to your Heavenly Father.


Things To Pray For When You Feel Stuck

There may be days when you do not know what to say. On those days, you can pray simple prayers like these:


  • Lord, teach me how to pray.

  • Lord, help me be honest with You.

  • Lord, give me words when I do not know what to say.

  • Lord, help me trust that You hear me.

  • Lord, draw my heart back to You.

  • Lord, help me pray even when I feel distracted.

  • Lord, remind me that I am not alone.


Romans 8:26 reminds us that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. What a comfort that is. Even when we do not know what to pray, God is not far away from us.


A Simple Weekly Prayer Plan

One way to use this list is to create a weekly prayer rhythm.

Monday: Pray for your personal walk with God.

Tuesday: Pray for your spouse, children, and family.

Wednesday: Pray for work, calling, finances, and provision.

Thursday: Pray for your church, pastor, and community.

Friday: Pray for friends, the sick, and those who are grieving.

Saturday: Pray for your nation, missionaries, and the lost.

Sunday: Pray prayers of worship, surrender, thanksgiving, and revival.


This kind of rhythm helps you pray with focus instead of feeling overwhelmed.

And this is one of the reasons I created the 365 Day Prayer Challenge — to help you pray with purpose all year long.


If this list of prayer ideas helped you, but you would love a more guided way to pray throughout the year, I’d love to invite you to join the 365 Day Prayer Challenge.

Each month’s prayer guide is created to help you pray with focus, faith, and Scripture.

Inside the prayer resources, you’ll find prompts to help you pray for:


  • Your personal walk with God

  • Your spouse

  • Your children

  • Your family

  • Your church

  • Your community

  • Your nation

  • Missionaries

  • Friends and loved ones

  • Thanksgiving, confession, adoration, and supplication


The goal is simple: to help you keep coming before God every day with a heart full of faith.

Whether you use the printable prayer journals, digital downloads, or paperback prayer resources, these tools are designed to help you build a deeper, more intentional prayer life rooted in God’s Word.



More Prayer Resources To Help You Pray


You may also enjoy these prayer resources from Scriptural Grace:



Final Encouragement

You do not need the perfect words to pray or a long, polished prayer. You simply need to come to God and have a desire to draw near to God.


Prayer is not about performance. It is about a relationship.

So the next time you wonder what to pray for, choose one prayer point, read a Scripture, and begin. Praise God for who He is. Confess what needs to be surrendered. Thank Him for His goodness, and bring your requests before Him.


God hears you. He sees you, El Roi, and He invites you to keep coming near.



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Blessings,

Karen xo. 

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