Last Updated on November 30, 2023 by Emma
Table of Contents
When we read the Scriptures we read story after story of Jesus helping the poor and sick. It’s our call as Christians to live like Him and do likewise. It’s not always easy to help others though. Our own responsibilities and agendas get in the way and we can sometimes forget other people need our help!
It’s easy to help your immediate family, but what about your friend who’s low on cash or the stranger at the bus stop? I’m always taken back to the story of the Good Samaritan. A man is attacked, robbed, and left for dead. A priest and Levite pass him by, but when a Samaritan passed by he bandaged him up and took him to an inn to take care of him.
“The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have’ (Luke 10:35, NIV).
This man gave his time and money to help someone who he didn’t know or like! May we should all strive to be like the good Samaritan and give away our time, talent, and treasures, when God calls us to.
I have given you 6 prayers for helping others, but feel free to customize them to your specific situation. Please leave any prayer requests in the comments so we can pray with you!
Short Prayer for Helping Others
Lord, I know (name) needs my help. Please give me wisdom to best know how to help (him/her). Is it financial, emotional support, or just prayer? I trust you will lead me in the right direction. Give (name) the resources and help they need if I cannot help in any tangible way.
I trust You will provide. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer for Helping Someone Financially
Lord, (name) needs help financially. Of course, I want to say yes, but I want to come to you first to see if this is what You really want me to do with my money. I don’t want to be greedy with my money. I want to give freely to something that is glorifying to You.
The cynical side of me also can’t help but think that someone could misuse the money I give them. I hear a lot of stories about people helping someone financially and then they squander that money on something it wasn’t intended for. I trust this person so help me to put these fears aside.
To combat this fear I know I will need to give them the money in a way that isn’t just handing them cash or a Venmo payment. I want to help financially, but need your courage to prudence on how to best handle this.
I know I am resistant to helping financially because I can sometimes feel like I don’t have the resources to do so. However, I know there are plenty of things I could cut out of my life to make up for the small amount of money I would give them. Please detach me from possessions so that I can give my money more freely.
Please help me to be like the good Samaritan who helped the stranger. He provided care, time, resources, and money for this person he did not know. Help me to do the same not only for my family and friends but for anyone in need. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer for Helping Someone Through a Hard Time
Good and gracious God, (name) is going through a difficult time in their life and needs my help. I know I can help them by being present in their life. I can shoot (name) a text and check in the (him/her) more frequently to show (him/her) (he/she) is loved and valued.
I can be a shoulder to cry on or vent to. I can bring a meal over and spend quality time with the people who need me. I’m not sure I’m in a place financially to help significantly so if this is what (name) needs. If (name) needs this then please put someone in their path to help them through that.
Ultimately, help (name) to rely on you through this hard time. May (he/she) be open to your voice and grace. Help me to be those encouraging words for (him/her). May my words be Your words. May I speak when I need to and listen when words aren’t needed? I trust in You and your faithfulness to provide for (name). In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer for Helping the Homeless
Lord, there are so many homeless people in the world. I cannot thank you enough for the beautiful home you have provided me with. It does not go unnoticed that You have been so faithful in providing for me.
Please provide a home for the homeless. Help each person to get on their feet so that they can a roof over their head. Each person has the dignity that they should eat least have that. Put people in their path to help the homeless to thrive instead of just surviving.
Thank you for all the beautiful ministries and people who work for the homeless population. That cannot be an easy job so I know you have given them special gifts and talents to do that.
Lord, I know prayer leads to action so I feel your call to help as well, but I’m not sure how. My first thought is money, but the cynical side of me can’t help but think that someone could misuse the money I give them. I hear a lot of stories about people giving homeless people money and they just spend it on alcohol or drugs.
To combat this fear I know if I want to give them money it would need to be in a way that isn’t just handing them cash. I want to help in some way, maybe financially, maybe some other way but I need your courage to prudence on how to best handle this.
Whether it is volunteering my time, praying for the homeless, or donating financially, helps me to know how to best help the homeless population. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer for Helping Someone Who Is Sick
Oh God, (name) is sick. (He/She) has been a great friend to me through thick and thin so it’s hard to watch (him/her) suffer. Please heal (Name). Wrap your loving arms around (name) as (he/she) fights off this illness. Help (him/her) to feel safe and loved by You and (his/her) family during this difficult time.
I would like to help (name) while (he/she) is sick. Should I cook her a meal, go for a visit, or just give her space and pray at home for her healing? All 3? Give me the wisdom to know how to be most helpful to her without overstepping.
You are the ultimate healer, please lay Your healing touch upon her. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer to Be More Helpful
Lord, You command us to “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31, NIV). If I am to live this out then I would like to be more helpful to everyone around me. Give me the grace to see when others need help. Help me to be more present and alert throughout the day so I can help others when needed.
I want to be Your face, hands, and feet for others. Help me to serve humbly, promptly, and gracefully. May I help make someone else’s load lighter? Help me to be joyful about all the tasks I can help with even if they are undesirable and especially if it is inconvenient for me.
Help me to be like the good Samaritan and not only help those that I love, but strangers or those I dislike. You helped everyone and it is my call to imitate you. Thank you for Your strength and goodness. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Concluding Thoughts
Though helping others isn’t always easy or convenient, it’s one of our deepest calls as Christians. We show the love of Christ to all we meet and by helping others we truly are the face, hands, and feet of Jesus to that person.
Always remember that helping others doesn’t mean donating large sums of money. In your daily activities, you have unique opportunities to help whether it’s holding the door for someone, setting the table for dinner, or paying for the person’s coffee behind you in the drive-through.