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Feeling Lonely? 4 Ways to Grow Your Friend Group—Even from Home

A dear friend will love
you no matter what.

Proverbs 17:17

Even before COVID-19, more than one in five adults in the U.S. said they felt lonely or isolated.1 Research shows that chronic loneliness even has negative effects on our physical health.2 We all need meaningful connections with people we care about, who care about us. How do we do that?

Start by Being a Friend

Do you want friends who will encourage you? Then become an encourager. Want friends who will help you grow as a person? Then practice listening, and show that you’re willing to change when you learn new things. Whatever you want to see in others, work towards becoming that friend yourself.

  1. Start Praying for Others.

    2. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

    1 Thessalonians 5:11

    Ask someone you know, “How can I pray for you?” Write down what they tell you, then pray for them regularly. Our Prayer feature makes it easy to keep track of everything you’re praying for. Not sure what to pray? Try Verse of the Day Stories. Every day has a Prayer you can pray for yourself—and for friends. When you pray regularly for other people, your empathy and concern for them grows.

  1. Start Having Honest Conversations.

    2. Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.

    Proverbs 13:20

    Relationships are built on trust. Trust goes in both directions. Don’t just talk about yourself. Ask a lot of questions, actively listen, and don’t judge. Not sure what to talk about? Do a Bible Plan together, and schedule a regular time to video chat about what God is showing each of you. (Verse of the Day is great for this, too.) The more you invest in each other, the more you’ll enjoy your times together.

  1. Start Serving Others, Together.

    2. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

    Hebrews 10:24

    Serving other people helps you beat loneliness, by taking your focus off yourself and giving you a sense of purpose. Millions of people have lost jobs during the pandemic.3 (If you’re one of them, we’re so sorry.) In most communities, food banks and other charities are busier than ever. Find services with social distancing and sanitizing policies that you’re comfortable with. Or, if you’d rather not leave your house, look for places where you can serve online.

  1. Start Inviting People.

    2. Love one another deeply. Honor others more than yourselves.

    Romans 12:10

    Look for Suggested Friends in your Bible App Home feed. You can also tap the Friends icon (Friends icon) at the top of your app, or go to More, Friends and add people from your contacts. Also, be sure you check your Friend Requests in the app. However you choose to add friends, we recommend that you ask only people you actually know, so you’ll be able to have honest exchanges with people you trust.

Whatever You Do…
Just Start.

A Prayer for the Lonely

Father, please meet me where I am. Lord, send people who will reach out to me, and give me ideas of people I can reach out to. Give me courage and strength, and please rescue me from my loneliness.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Psalms 34:18

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Notes

1 Loneliness and Social Isolation: An International Survey.

2 Loneliness Rivals Obesity, Smoking as Health Risk.

3 Jobless Claims Hit 4.4 Million.

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A Prayer for Anyone Battling Addiction

“IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE.
BUT TAKE HEART!
I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.”

John 16:33

Father God, thank You that nothing we struggle with is impossible for You to overcome. You are above all things, and in You, all things are held together.

This season is hard for all of us, but especially for our brothers and sisters battling addiction. Help them realize that their struggles do not define their identity or worth.

They are Your children, called by Your name, and set apart for Your purposes. Show them that their chains have been broken.

Help them to resist temptation so that they can embrace Your fullness of life. Give them Your strength to fight back when they feel overwhelmed, and place people in their lives who will support them.

Protect their bodies, hearts, and minds. Shield them from temptation, and deliver them from evil.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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A Prayer for the Frontliners

IF YOU WANT TO BE THE GREATEST ONE, THEN LIVE AS ONE CALLED TO SERVE OTHERS.

Mark 10:43

Heavenly Father, thank You for the frontliners caring for, protecting, and serving our communities, our families, and us. Thank You for these servant leaders, called to this work, trained for such a time as this, daily risking their own health and safety for others.

Please protect them from harm. Give them courage and strength. Draw close, Lord, and let them feel Your presence throughout the long hours they are working.

Father, please provide everything they need, both for the people they are serving and for their loved ones. Surround them with people who will help and support them and their families, even as they selflessly care for others.

You said we would face troubles in this world, but also that You had overcome it. Please work together with our frontliners, Lord, to ultimately bring about the best outcome possible.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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4 Fun Activities to Try with Your Kids

Mother and son praying

Getting children excited about prayer can be challenging. Images of people praying typically show someone standing calmly with their head bowed and eyes closed. That’s hard for many people, let alone a kid who’s now stuck at home all day.

But prayer is simply talking with the God who says, “let the children come to me.” God loves to hear the honest cries of your children’s hearts.

Helping your kids talk openly with God now will also impact the way they view prayer in the years to come. So, here are 4 easy prayer activities to help your family pursue God through prayer.

Child praying

  1. Count Your Blessings

    At the end of each day, spend 5-10 minutes talking about a few things that blessed your family. After everyone’s shared, thank God for the good He’s done in your life that day.

    Modeling thankfulness for your kids now will help shape the way they remember hard seasons. (Plus, focusing on your blessings can help lower stress levels.)

  1. Pray Through the Week

    Each week, pick a theme with your kids. (It could be a country, a person, or something your children love.)

    Every day, have a child pray for that theme and allow whoever prays to choose a theme-related activity for you to do together. (Need activity ideas? You can find Bible-based coloring pages and Adventure Books here.)

  1. Go on a Nature Walk

    The next time you go outside, ask your children to point out anything that makes them smile. Take turns thanking God for creating the beauty around you. Try to enjoy the world through their eyes, together.

  1. Pray through Praise Songs

    Everything you do can be an act of worship. Pick one of your children’s favorite worship songs and sing it together. Make that song your prayer for the day.

    Or, if you or your children are musical, pick a Psalm or the Lord’s Prayer and put it to music.

[Worship Songs Made for Kids]

When prayer is a daily activity that your children look forward to, you help show them that they can talk to God anywhere, at any time, for any reason.

And, by letting go of any expectations for what their prayers should look like, you make space for your kids to creatively express themselves to God.

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A Prayer for the Financially Hurting

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory - Philippians 4:19 - Verse Image

God, You know what we’re going through. And we’re thankful You can take the hardest circumstances and turn them around for our good and Your glory.

You can restore all things—so we’re asking You to restore lost jobs, finances, relationships, resources, and hopes.

Show anyone struggling financially that You hold them close, and surround them with people who will help them through this time. Please meet their immediate needs as they trust You for long-term solutions.

Turn fear into faith as Your good plans for them unfold. As they wait on You, renew their hope and give them the courage to dream again. Remind them of their value, and fill them with peace.

Our God, come and do what only You can do.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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