It’s National Day of Prayer! Here’s a guide for you to pray for different groups and areas of life today.
Praise and Thanks
Praise God for who He is, the Alpha and Omega, the Creator, God with us (Emmanuel), Savior, loving and forgiving Father.
Thank God for all He has done in your life, in the lives of those around you, and in the world. For all the ways He has provided for your needs, given you wisdom, guided you when you were lost, and carried you through your storms.
Confession
Confess and repent of your sins. God is faithful and just to forgive, and it removes barriers in your relationship with God.
1 John 1:9, Proverbs 28:13
Leaders
Pray for city, state, national, and world leaders. This includes mayors, governors, city council members, police and fire chiefs, the president, vice president, senators, representatives, and more! Ask God to grant them wisdom to act with integrity.
1 Timothy 2:1-2, Exodus 18:21
Businesses
Pray for people leading companies, both local and more distant, companies you have personal connections to and large corporations. Ask God to grant them wisdom to act with integrity.
Exodus 31:3-4, Philippians 2:3
The Church
Pray for church leaders and staff, to lead wisely, to live with integrity. Pray for unity among the churches that displays zeal for the truth and points people to God’s love and truth.
Pray for churches across the world who have to meet in secret and Christians who are in danger for believing in God, for their safety, for continued faith and hope, and for the gospel to continue reaching people across the globe.
John 17:23, Matthew 9:37-38, 2 Timothy 4:2
Schools
Pray for educators of faith to find appropriate ways to live out their faith.
Pray for a safe atmosphere for learning, provision for needed resources, and renewed joy.
Pray for students to be strengthened in their faith and find like-minded friends. Pray for wisdom for them to make smart choices in a world that continually presents them with a host of poor options disguised to trap them. Pray for an abundance of forgiveness when they do make mistakes and the ability to repent and turn the other way.
Exodus 18:20-21, Philippians 1:9
Your Community
Pray for your city, county, and state, for it to succeed and flourish. Pray for your neighbors, other local people, and businesses by name, calling down blessings on them. Pray for food for the hungry, shelter for the unhoused, hope for the depressed, connection for the lonely, and security for those in danger. Pray for peace.
Jeremiah 29:7, Matthew 5:9
Your Family and Friends
Pray for your immediate and extended family, along with friends, for any and all of the following:
- physical, emotional, spiritual healing
- people who are far from Christ to come to Him
- jobs for the unemployed
- financial provision
- wisdom to make decisions big and small
- relational healing and strength for families
Malachi 4:5-6, Psalm 121:7-8, Philippians 4:19
Questions about praying on the National Day of Prayer
What should I pray for on the National Day of Prayer? Clarity Church’s guide walks through eight areas: praise and thanks to God, confession, leaders, businesses, the church, schools, your community, and your family and friends. Each section pairs short prompts with Scripture, for example 1 Timothy 2:1–2 for leaders and Jeremiah 29:7 for your city, as a guide for praying for different groups and areas of life.
How should Christians pray for government leaders? Pray for leaders at every level, including mayors, governors, city council members, police and fire chiefs, the president, vice president, senators and representatives, and ask God to give them wisdom to act with integrity. Scripture urges prayers and thanksgiving “for kings and all those in authority” (1 Timothy 2:1–2), and Exodus 18:21 describes leaders who are trustworthy and God-fearing.
Why should we confess our sins when we pray? Because confession removes barriers between us and God. This guide asks you to confess and repent of your sins, noting that God is faithful and just to forgive (1 John 1:9). Proverbs 28:13 adds that whoever conceals sin will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces it will find mercy.
How can I pray for my city? Pray for your city, county and state to succeed and flourish, and pray for your neighbors and local businesses by name, asking God to bless them. This guide also suggests praying for food for the hungry, shelter for the unhoused, hope for the depressed, connection for the lonely, security for those in danger, and peace (Jeremiah 29:7; Matthew 5:9).
How can I pray for persecuted Christians? Pray for their safety, for continued faith and hope, and for the gospel to keep reaching people across the globe. This guide asks you to remember churches around the world that have to meet in secret and Christians who are in danger for believing in God. It also asks for unity among churches that points people to God’s love and truth (John 17:23).