9 Prayers to Help You Cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit

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If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

GALATIANS 5:25

If you consider yourself a follower of Jesus, then the Holy Spirit is always with you, equipping you to live a life that honors God and encourages others. But although we have access to the Spirit at all times, living a Spirit-filled life involves intentionally seeking God every day.

When we allow God’s Spirit to convict, challenge, and change us, He transforms the ways we think and act.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

GALATIANS 5:22-23

The “fruits” of the Spirit are distinct yet interconnected—together, they prove that we are allowing God to shape every part of our lives.

The choices you make will always mirror what you are allowing to direct and guide your heart. So right now, take a moment to re-read Galatians 5:22-23, and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what areas of your life you need Him to transform. Then, when you’re ready, pray the following prayers with us.

A Prayer for Love

Father God, thank You for showing me what true love looks like. Please perfect me in Your love by showing me the parts of my life that are not in line with Your Holy Spirit. Show me where I am selfish, self-serving, and easily angered, so that I can surrender those things to You and allow You to replace those traits with Your selfless love. Transform me into someone who loves others just like You love me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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A Prayer for Joy

God, thank You for giving me constant access to Your presence. Because You are always with me, I can experience true joy at all times. Although the joy You give isn’t based on my circumstances, I don’t always live a life marked by joy. Too often, instead of trusting You, I let my problems dictate my reactions. Please forgive me! Fill me with Your joy and peace, so that by the power of Your Holy Spirit, I may abound in hope at all times. Help me to live a life marked by undefeatable joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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A Prayer for Peace

Father God, I often find myself overwhelmed by circumstances that are beyond my control, and I am easily distracted by things that don’t matter. Please forgive me for not consistently placing my trust in You. Even when I am faced with intense situations, You are still with me. You are the Creator of peace, and I can have access to Your peace-filled presence whenever I draw near to You. So instead of silencing Your Holy Spirit when I start to feel anxious or discouraged, help me to make room in my heart and mind to experience the peace You freely give. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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A Prayer for Patience

Holy Spirit, create in me a clean heart that seeks the best in others. Help me to show empathy and compassion to everyone, and to do so with gentleness and respect. When people or circumstances don’t meet my expectations, empower me to show grace and understanding. Help me to see my situations from Your perspective so that I can rejoice at all times and show patience when needed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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A Prayer for Kindness

God, thank You for continually showing me Your steadfast love and mercy. You are so good! Lord, I frequently find myself easily angered, hurt, or offended. Please change the way I think and behave. It is through Your Spirit that I am forgiven and empowered. So today, I invite You to guide me, direct me, and show me how to display kindness to others as You have displayed kindness toward me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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A Prayer for Goodness

Holy Spirit, there is nowhere I can run to escape Your presence! You won’t give up on me because You are too kind to leave me the way You found me. You guide me, counsel me, and show me the paths that lead to life. Today, make me more aware of Your goodness so that I can share Your goodness with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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A Prayer for Self-Control

Holy Spirit, let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to You! I don’t want to grieve You by living in a manner unworthy of the calling You’ve placed on my life. Instead, I want to live a disciplined, thoughtful life because I know this honors You. So when I am tempted to give in to anger, selfishness, or pride, help me to consider others as better than myself, and allow me to do this with humility and grace. I surrender control of my life to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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A Prayer for Faithfulness

God, You make all things beautiful in their proper timing. Nothing is too hard for You to accomplish! You are faithful to keep Your promises. But so often, I forget this and grow discouraged when my situations don’t seem to change. In those moments, it’s easy to forget that You are not done working. Through Your Holy Spirit, please change the way I think and behave. When I start to grow weary, help me to remember that You are with me, You are faithful, and You have given me everything I need to live a faith-filled life today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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A Prayer for Gentleness

Holy Spirit, help me pay close attention to the ways that You call me by name and draw me closer to You. And as You do that, show me how to live in a manner worthy of the calling You’ve given me. Help me to not do anything with selfish ambition, but instead, show me how to consider others as better than myself. Rather than seeking to immediately correct the wrongs I see in other people, let me first bring my concerns to You and allow You to direct my response. Let the conversations I have with others be filled with gentleness and respect so that nothing in my life detracts people from seeing You through me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Did these prayers encourage or inspire you? Save a couple to your YouVersion Prayer List. Throughout your week, continue to intentionally draw near to God through prayer, and allow His Holy Spirit to shape the way you live.

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How do you make prayer a habit? Do this:

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Make Prayer a part of your everyday life.

Nothing in your life is too big or small for God to handle. But sometimes, we need to be reminded that we can talk with Him at any time. Prayer Reminders are perfect for when you need extra encouragement to do just that.

Simply go into your Push Notifications Settings, and tap, “Remind me to pray.” From here, you can set up a time each day to receive a reminder.

Not sure what to pray about? Start here:

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A Prayer for Peace

God, thank You for caring for us. You know the things that have been weighing us down with worry, anxiety, or fear. Right now, please guard our hearts and minds with Your peace.

Help us fix our minds on You, and on Your Spirit. Thank You for promising to bring us life and peace. We can rest … because You make us safe.

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A Prayer for Healing

God, Your Word says You answer people when they call on Your name, and You deliver them. Right now, we ask that You would heal those who are sick and hurting. And whether Your healing comes today or 10 years from now, we will continue to praise You, even as we wait for answers.

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A Prayer for Unity

Jesus, thank You for overcoming the world. Because of that, we can experience unity with You. Help us to see all the ways You are at work around us. Draw us closer to You, and help us to look out for the interests of others.

We want Your kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven, so unite us in purpose, so that nothing will keep people searching for You from believing in You.

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Where are your thoughts taking you?

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

ROMANS 12:2

A Prayer to Renew Your Mind

God, sometimes when I look at the world around me, I feel overwhelmed by anxiety, and my thoughts start to spiral. Oh God, please help me. I need You to change the way I think.

Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts, and Your ways are better than mine. You give hope to the hopeless, and strength to the weak. You alone can renew my mind and remind me of my purpose.

So today, help me to take every thought captive as I give You my concerns. Remind me that You are with me, and that You will continue to instruct and guide me.

Counsel me as I reflect on Your Word, and help me to apply Your truths to my life. Give me the strength I need to do what is right, and help me to pursue You above all else—always.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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For anyone feeling alone, this is for you…

Person walking in desert

You are not alone.

Right now, many of us are navigating how we can re-establish connections with friends and family we haven’t seen in a while.

This process takes time, and it can seem frustrating. But even when we feel alone and disconnected, we can seek connection with God through prayer, and ask Him to help us reconnect with the people around us.

God is always with us, and He loves it when we seek out honest conversations with Him.

A Prayer for Connection

God, for many of us, this past year was filled with isolation. Despite technological advances, we watched relationships change and drift apart—and we grieved the loss.

But God, we know You can redeem what’s broken. You care about community, and You created us for connection. And, You also gave us Your Holy Spirit who understands what we are facing and prays on our behalf. So when we feel alone, please remind us that You are near—and that You’re not done working.

Re-establish our relationships and show us how to make meaningful connections—even if it feels uncomfortable at first.

Ultimately, we want our loneliness to lead us closer to You and to the people that You’ve called us to love and support. So take our isolation, our disconnection, our social anxiety, and our fear—and turn it into something beautiful that draws the world closer to You and to each other.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

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How To Pray for Your Family

Family Week

This week, we shared resources for your family that we hope encouraged and inspired you. But this is only the beginning. As you continue to faithfully show up and show love, God will do infinitely more in your family than all that you can ask, hope, or imagine.

To help encourage you as you continue to lead your family, we’ve created four prayers for families. Pick a prayer that relates to your situation, pray it over your relationships, and save it to your Prayer List in the Bible App.

Pray now:

A Prayer for Families with Young Children

God, children are a gift from You, but raising them is still hard. So when I feel exhausted and weary, please remind me that You are with me. And when I feel overwhelmed, please give me the strength to endure every situation I face. You have called me to parenthood, so please protect my family, and help me to raise my children well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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A Prayer for Families with Teenagers

God, show me how to love my teenagers the way You do. As they start to become more independent, give me discernment. And as they navigate big emotions, help me to be sensitive to their feelings and wise with my responses. Shape them into the people You’ve created them to be and, as You do that, please guard their hearts. Let their identity remain rooted and grounded in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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A Prayer for Families with Adult Children

God, give me wisdom when navigating relationships with my adult children. Before I speak, let me first pause and listen to them. And when I want to fix their problems, let me first call out to You. Protect, establish, and help these adults become the people You’ve called them to be. And as You do that, show me how to meet them where they are. I trust You, and I entrust my children to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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A Prayer for Blended Families

God, You know exactly what our family needs in order to thrive. You understand how hard it is to combine two families, but You also know how rewarding it can be. As we figure out how to lead this family together, please protect our marriage, and help us create meaningful bonds with all our children. Guide us and protect us, and draw us closer to You—and to each other. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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