What are some examples of prayer prompts?

"What is one thing today that I did not earn and am glad to have?" is a gratitude prompt. "Who is on my mind right now, and what do they need most?" is a prompt for other people. "What am I afraid of today? Can I say it plainly?" is a prompt for honesty.

Can I use prayer prompts for group prayer?

Yes. Read one prompt aloud, leave a minute of quiet, and let each person answer in turn. Anyone may pass. A prompt keeps the group on one subject, so the time does not drift.

How often should I use prayer prompts?

There is no set rule. Many people use one prompt a day, or the same prompt for a week. Use them as often as they help you pray.

What if a prompt does not fit how I feel?

Skip it and take another, or change it. A prompt is a starting point. If the honest answer is "I do not know," say that.

Are prayer prompts the same as prayers?

No. A prayer prompt is a question that helps you begin. Your answer to it is the prayer. If you want finished prayers to borrow, see the guide on what to pray when you do not know what to say.

Prayer Prompts: 30 Ways to Start Praying

How do you use a prayer prompt?

Pick one prompt. Do not read the whole list first.
Read it slowly, twice.
Answer it to God in your own words. Speak it, whisper it or write it down.
Stop when you have said what is true. A short answer is a full prayer.

You can use the same prompt for a week. Repeating one is often better than moving through many.

Prayer prompts for gratitude

Gratitude is the easiest place to start, and it shifts your attention from what is missing to what is here.

What is one thing today that I did not earn and am glad to have?
Who made my life easier this week, and what would I say to God about them?
What went better than I expected recently?
What ordinary thing (a meal, a bed, a quiet minute) am I taking for granted?
What is something I once prayed for that I now have?
What am I thankful for that I have not told anyone?

Prayer prompts for the people in your life

Praying for others is called intercession. These prompts help you move from "bless everyone" to a specific person and a specific need.

Who is on my mind right now, and what do they need most?
Who have I not spoken to in a while, and could I pray for them by name?
Who is carrying something heavy that I know about? What would I ask for them?
Who is hard for me to love right now? What would I ask God to do in me, not just in them?
Who has asked me to pray for them, and have I done it yet?

Prayer prompts for honesty

Use these when you are tired, anxious or unsure. They give you permission to say the real thing.

What am I afraid of today? Can I say it plainly?
What am I angry about, and what do I want to say to God about it?
What have I been avoiding, and what would it cost me to name it?
Where do I feel stuck, and what would the first small step look like?
What do I need that I have not been willing to ask for?

Prayer prompts for listening

Prayer is not only talking. These prompts leave room for quiet. After you read one, stay silent for a minute before you say anything.

What is one thing I might be missing because I am busy?
What decision is in front of me, and what would I ask for before I make it?
After I stop talking, what stays on my mind for a minute?
What would it look like to trust God with today, hour by hour?
Is there something I know I should do and have not done?

Prayer prompts from Scripture

These prompts start from a passage. Read the verse in your own Bible first, then answer the question. The references below point you to the passage, and the wording of each prompt is ours.

Psalm 139:23-24 asks God to search the heart and lead the way. What would I want God to show me about myself today?
Philippians 4:6 invites us to bring requests to God with thanks. What request am I carrying, and what can I thank God for beside it?
In 1 Samuel 3:10, Samuel answers, "Speak, for your servant is listening." What would it mean to say that and then stay quiet for a minute?
Lamentations 3:22-23 says God's mercies are new every morning. What is new about today?
Psalm 13:1-2 begins "How long, Lord?" What is my "how long" right now, and can I say it out loud?

Prayer prompts for a small group

A group can use one prompt per meeting. Read it aloud, give everyone a minute of quiet, then let people answer in turn. Anyone may pass.

What is one thing this week that you are thankful for, and one thing you need prayer for?
Who is not in the room that we should pray for?
What did you notice about God or about people this week?
What is a prayer from this group that was answered, even in a small way?

How do you write your own prayer prompts?

Start from your week. Look at your calendar, your messages and your worries, and turn each one into a question that begins with "what," "who" or "where." Keep the question short enough to remember without looking at it. Then write the prayer as an answer to that question.

If you want a place to keep them, a prayer journal works well. Write the prompt at the top of the page and your answer beneath it.

If you are struggling with mental health issues, please seek support from a qualified professional alongside prayer.