Category: Prayer

70 Inspirational Friday Bible Verses and Prayer Blessings

Posted on by Donna Snow

Every morning needs prayers and blessings from God’s Word and that certainly includes Friday. Consequently, inspirational Friday Bible verses and prayer prompts can uplift your heart.

Even though I sometimes view Friday as the best day of the week, it can certainly be challenging for various reasons.

​Whether you are a fan of Friday or not, it is still a day that the Lord has made, so we can rejoice and be glad in it! (Psalm 118:24) So pour some coffee or tea into an inspirational mug and let’s dive into Friday.

I searched Scripture to glean many good things from the Word of God to bless your Friday morning. You can use these as anchors for your day or pass them along to someone who may need the good gift of a beautiful day.

Here are some good morning Friday blessings sorted by categories so that you can easily find the ones that offer the perfect gift for you today. 

Contents

  1. Friday Prayer Blessings About the Love of God
  2. Good Friday Quotes About the Work Week
  3. Friday Encouragement for Friends
  4. Friday Quotes for a Blessing-Filled Day
  5. Friday Morning Motivation for a Great Day
  6. Prayers and Wisdom for Friday Night
  7. Good News Despite Hard Times
  8. Good Deeds for a Blessed Friday
  9. Inspirational Bible Verses About the Peace of God
  10. Joy-Filled Friday Bible Verses
  11. Friday Thanksgiving to the Lord

If the prayer or blessing are Scripture quotations, the biblical reference will be in parenthesis at the end. If it is a direct quote from another author, it will have quotation marks around it.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotes are from the English Standard Version with a link to Bible Gateway if you would like to see a different version.

Friday Prayer Blessings About the Love of God

The Bible says that God is love, which makes the Word of God the perfect source to know what love means and how you can love people. Knowing that you are loved beyond imagination is a beautiful way to wrap up your week!

  • “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
  • “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
  • “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.” ―C.S. Lewis
  • “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV)
  • “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:9)

Good Friday Quotes About the Work Week

God’s words says that working honestly, but with faith in mind, can lead to the great things He has planned for us. Allow these verses to encourage and motivate you to do the best you can do every day of the week.

  • “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
  • “Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world.” ―Roy T. Bennett
  • “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3)
  • “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:17)
  • “When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully. When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.” ―Steve Maraboli

Friday Encouragement for Friends

Friends are truly one of God’s great blessings of life. Friends walk with you through the tough times and rejoice with you through the good times. As you start out this Friday, spend time thanking God for those friends in your life.

  • “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” (Proverbs 27:9)
  • “A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” ―Elbert Hubbard
  • “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)
  • “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:12-13)
  • “If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.” ―Joan Powers
  • “My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend.” (Job 16:20-21, NIV)

Friday Quotes for a Blessing-Filled Day

Whether or not you acknowledge them or even recognize them, God’s blessings fill our days. Like a parent who delights in blessing their children, God loves to pour blessings over our lives.

  • “Start each day with a positive thought and a grateful heart.” ―Roy T. Bennett
  • “You are the only you God made… God made you and broke the mold.” ―Max Lucado
  • “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. Opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.” ―Elie Wiesel
  • “It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.” ―Herman Melville
  • “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” ―Confucius
  • “If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning… Face it, friend. He is crazy about you!” ―Max Lucado

Friday Morning Motivation for a Great Day

Pause and allow these Bible verses to encourage you to trust in God and be grateful for the blessing of life. Be inspired by the Word of God!

  • “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)
  • We know it is a blessing-filled day because it is a day you created, O Lord!
  • “For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV)
  • “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
  • “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
  • “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
  • “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

Prayers and Wisdom for Friday Night

The work week is over, so I am pausing social media to gather with my family members and loved ones to celebrate what the Lord did this week. Such times make life rich.

  • “The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” ―Nicolas Chamfort
  • “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” (Isaiah 41:13)
  • “We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.” ―Kurt Vonnegut
  • “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” (3 John 1:2)
  • “It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night.” (Psalm 92:1-2)
  • The best thing you did today, Lord, is simply show up and let your light shine on me and through me. Thank you, Lord!

Good News Friday Despite Hard Times

When you are feeling weak or timid, these scriptures remind you that God is present with you. Despite your fears and insecurities, God is near to you, providing you with strength in your time of need. 

  • “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
  • “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
  • “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
  • “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” ―Maya Angelou
  • “The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” (Exodus 15:2)
  • “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)

Good Deeds for a Blessed Friday

Jesus showed the ultimate selflessness in laying down His life to set you free. Imitating His selfless love by serving others instead of simply self-serving brings blessings upon blessings. 

  • “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” (Galatians 5:13)
  • “May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” (Ruth 2:12)
  • God is merciful and gracious and is abounding in goodness and truth. May all of those characteristics of God be clear to me this Friday so I may focus on God and all His goodness.
  • “I don’t want to live in the kind of world where we don’t look out for each other. Not just the people that are close to us, but anybody who needs a helping hand.” ―Charles de Lint
  • “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:13)

Inspirational Bible Verses About the Peace of God

God can bring peace amid struggles, worries, and fear. In fact, He promises that His peace “passes all understanding”. Use these verses to step back from the pressure of life and come into the presence of God to hear His promises of hope and comfort over your circumstances.

  • “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
  • “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)
  • “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)
  • “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
  • “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Joy-Filled Friday Bible Verses

At the end of a long week, you may feel short on joy. Yet Joy is one of the most prominent themes of the Bible. Happiness is circumstantial, but the joy of the Lord has already been given to us. Allow these verses to remind you of God’s joy!

  • “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)
  • May our praises be as big as our blessings this Friday. 
  • “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)
  • “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:24)
  • Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
  • “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4)

Friday Praises for the Lord

Beginning our Friday by praising the Lord sets our minds on Him and His goodness. Praising God gives us the eyes to see Him and His bountiful blessings throughout each day.

  • “I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, and I will declare Your greatness. They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, and shall sing of Your righteousness.” (Psalm 145:5-7)
  • “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
  • “But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’ ” (Jonah 2:9)
  • “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” (Psalm 103:1-2)

​Friday Thanksgiving to the Lord

It’s so easy to become overwhelmed with all the tasks and activities to do that you forget to stop and reflect on why you should be celebrating Friday and heading into the weekend. Read these verses aloud!

  • “I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.” (Psalm 7:17)
  • “Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.” (Psalm 95:2-3)
  • “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6-7)
  • “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” (Psalm 100:4)
  • “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1)
  • “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Colossians 4:2)
  • “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” (Psalm 107:8-9)

Friday Thoughts

Whether today is a Friday or Tuesday, the power of God never diminishes. He gave us the life of Jesus at the proper time so we have the hope of eternal life.

I pray that the Word of God sings over your life in a loud voice. I pray that God’s love makes your face shine today. And perhaps write it down to remember on those hard days.

God created the entire world, but he knows you individually. The best way to start any day is to seek the will of God before your feet hit the floor.

Your heavenly Father loves you more than you can possibly imagine. God’s blessings and the Word of the Lord of Hosts are rich food to feast on any day of the week.

​Have a Happy and Blessed Friday!

Related Posts:

About the Author
Donna is a sought-after author, speaker, and Bible teacher. Her path from being unchurched to becoming passionate about sharing Jesus was not easy. Read her God-breathed journey: “From Unchurched to Becoming a Multi-Published Author and Sought-After Speaker.” If you want to send Donna a quick message, then visit her here.

{Some of these links are affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through that link, the ministry may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!}

7 Essential Elements of Prayer (Plus Free Download)

Posted on by Donna Snow

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

Prayer is a vital, vibrant part of our Christian walk. Consequently, we need to answer the most obvious question first.

What is Prayer?

At its core, prayer is talking to God. Prayer is not meditation or still reflection. Prayer is direct communication with God.

Simply picture a girl or boy having a conversation with their father. They will ask their dad for all kinds of things they need. Later in life, they may also ask for direction or guidance. We can apply this scenario between the children of God and our heavenly Father.

Prayer is a two-way street. We pour out our burdens, struggles, and needs, then we also listen for His answers. Even though we do not hear God’s voice audibly as Moses did from the burning bush, He speaks to us through:

  • His Word
  • Other believers
  • His Creation

Being a bona fide music person, one might add music to that list, as well.

The Purpose of Prayer

Through daily prayer, we worship God, give Him thanks, and lay our requests at His feet. It is much more than a pre-recorded speech that we replay to God each time we hit our knees.

I confess that too often I have spent my prayer time reading off a list of what I wanted God to do for me and how I thought He should meet my needs.

Consequently, several years ago I assigned myself the task to learn the difference between merely saying a prayer and actually praying. I longed for meaningful fellowship with God and to discern God’s will for my life.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

You can approach God with any type of prayer: in time of need, a prayer of petition, a prayer of intercession, infinite wisdom, and asking for God’s strength, among many others. You do not have to use the right words or fancy words – simply use your own words.

I am sharing these seven elements (among others) with you because I believe they will add meaning and a personal relationship with God to your prayer time.

Prayer Will Change Your Life

Praying is hard at first – at least it was for me. Having a conversation with someone I could not see was challenging. However, understanding that He is with us and in us through the power of the Holy Spirit in everyday life helps remove that self-imposed stumbling block.

Over time, as prayer becomes part of our daily routine, God will strengthen our faith. We will notice how He has answered prayer and moved in certain situations. Often, He will bless us in ways we never even knew to ask.

Photo by Mike Labrum on Unsplash

I love to see how God has moved in my life and in the lives of those I pray for, so I keep a prayer journal. It is a powerful tool for increasing our faith!

Prayer can be uttered both as a short prayer and long-term. Those quick, “Lord, give me the words to say” prayers are just as important to our faith walk as those long-term, “Lord, what is Your purpose in my life?” prayers.

How Do I Pray?

Prayer is truly a sacred act. It’s a conversation with the Creator of the Universe who knitted you together in your mother’s womb. It is both sobering and an incredible privilege in equal measure.

A daily, dedicated prayer time includes a few tried and true necessities:

  • Empty your mind so that you are fully focused on God. (Mentally setting aside our to-do lists takes some practice.)
  • Pick a place that is soothing and free from distraction.
  • Turn off the television and radio and leave your smartphone out of reach.

And just be real. He already knows everything in our hearts and minds. He simply desires that conversation with us.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

The Power of Prayer

Keep in mind that we do not pray alone. With seven billion people on earth, there are likely millions of people praying at the same time on various topics.

As Christians, we pray in the name of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit that lives inside of every believer.

Neither prayer nor church was part of my childhood. As an adult, the thought of approaching God in prayer was terrifying. I pictured Him sitting on a cloud, ready to strike me down with a lightning bolt.

Not so! He loves us more than we can possibly imagine. Through prayer, we worship God, give Him thanks, and lay our requests at His feet.

What Do I Say in Prayer?

Jesus’ disciples struggled with that very same question. Consequently, they asked Jesus to teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1). Thanks to their brave question, we have a prayer format that became known as The Lord’s Prayer:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

(Matthew 6:9-13)

From this model prayer, we can apply the acronym “F.A.C.T.S.” to our own prayers in order to include all of the key elements of prayer that Jesus outlined. Let’s take a closer look at these elements.

Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash

Element #1: – Faith

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6).

Simply put, we need faith to pray. Faith given to us by God is the foundation of a believer’s life. Faith is known as the currency of heaven.

Only through faith in Jesus Christ, his life, death, and resurrection, can we approach God through prayer. He knows us by name and embraces us as His beloved children.

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith” (Matthew 21:22).

Element #2: – Adoration

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:9).

Worship and praise of God are certainly essential. Adoration focuses on the character of God and delineates the holy attributes that make Him worthy of all worship.

As we begin our prayer times, we focus on the ONE who hears our prayers rather than jumping straight to our list of needs.

“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created” (Revelation 4:11).

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Element #3: – Confession

“And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12).

As we approach God in prayer, we do so with humility through confession. Over the years, I have realized that this confession element includes two specific kinds: (1) confess my sins, and (2) confess my dependence on God.

Confess my sins:

Jesus’ blood shed on the cross provided forgiveness for our sins. Scripture tells us that we are to continually confess our sins understanding that He has already extended forgiveness.  

Why is that important? If God only forgave sins we remembered to confess, we would be in a hot mess. He forgives the sins we confess and those we did not even realize we committed. He faithfully washes us white as snow.

Photo by Ruben Hutabarat on Unsplash

If we forget some of our sins, take heart! The Apostle Paul assures us: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26).

Confess my dependence on Him:

Prayer is our white flag of surrender that acknowledges we cannot succeed on our own. We desperately need God to direct and nurture our lives.

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51:1-3).

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Element #4: – Thanksgiving

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

Living a life of thanksgiving and gratitude begins in prayer. All blessings come from God, whether we acknowledge them or not.

Thanksgiving carves out time to say a proper “thank you” to God. If you have children and you taught them to say “please” and “thank you,” that is the basic understanding of this element.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Photo by Bennie Bates on Unsplash

Element #5: – Supplication

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Like the “confession” prayer element, supplication includes two specific kinds: (1) our own needs, and (2) the needs of others (intercession).

Supplication:

This is the part of the prayer we lay before the Lord our own needs and struggles. This is not merely a “to-do” list for God; rather, an avenue to discern His will for our lives and to draw us closer to Him. He knows our desires and hurts, and He delights in hearing them from us.

Jesus demonstrated supplication in the Garden of Gethsemane shortly before He was crucified: ” My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).

Photo by Aachal on Unsplash

Intercession:

This is where we lay the needs of others before the Lord. This is a beautiful act of unselfish love for other people and the body of Christ.

God alone knows what each person needs and knows the best way to provide for them. Asking God to move and work on behalf of others is faith-filled love.

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ” (Colossians 4:2-3).

Beyond the F.A.C.T.S acronym, I have learned that there are two other important elements of a vibrant prayer life.

Element #6: – Submission

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

Once you have finished praying, acknowledge God’s sovereignty in His answers. Declaring your surrender that His way is the best – even if He denies a heartfelt request – is a sure sign that you are trusting God and walking in obedience.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Element #7: – Listening

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” (Jeremiah 33:3).

Remaining spiritually alert to how God answers your prayers is another essential element of a vibrant prayer life. He may not bring about the result you want in exactly the way you asked Him to.

However, it is a beautiful privilege to watch how He moves and orchestrates solutions. Such diligent observation increases our faith that He has everything under control.

Simple Prayers

If you are new to prayer, this may seem like a daunting list. Been there. Done that. God still knows your heart.

Here is a list of 25 Simple Prayers of Hope, Trust, and Peace that you can download and tuck into your Bible.

Remember that there is no distance in prayer. There is no language barrier that prayer cannot overcome.

Like striking a match to generate light and heat, things start to change when you pray. The key is to keep praying and keep those lines of communication open with God.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

Related Posts:

About the Author
Although Donna is a sought-after Bible teacher, her path from being unchurched to become passionate about sharing Jesus was not easy. Go here to read her God-breathed journey, “From Unchurched to Becoming a Multi-Published Author and Sought-After Speaker.” If you want to send Donna a quick message, then visit her contact page here.

{Some of these links are affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through that link, the ministry may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your ministry support!}