Friends
Friendship is an incredible gift. It changes the way we experience life and shapes who we become. The same is true for our children and the relationships they develop at school. Below are some Bible verses about friends to guide your time of praying for your children and the friendships they will develop this year at school.
Thank you for the gift of close friends. Help my children to experience this blessing.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Psalm 133:1 NIV
How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
Proverbs 27:9 NLT
The heartfelt counsel of a friend
is as sweet as perfume and incense.
Lead them to good friends who will strengthen them in their walk with You.
Proverbs 27:17 NIV
As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.
Romans 1:12 NIV
May [they] be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Protect them from negative influences.
Proverbs 13:20 ESV
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 22:24-25 NIV
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,
do not associate with one easily angered,
or you may learn their ways
and get yourself ensnared.
1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Proverbs 12:26 NLT
The godly give good advice to their friends;
the wicked lead them astray.
Help my children to love their friends well.
Romans 12:10 NIV
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Colossians 3:12-14 NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
Galatians 6:2 NIV
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Romans 12:15 ESV
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
John 13:34-35 NIV
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
Help them to forgive their friends and resolve the conflicts they may encounter today.
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Proverbs 15:1 NIV
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
1 Peter 4:8 NIV
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Proverbs 17:9 NLT
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,
but dwelling on it separates close friends.
Romans 12:17-18 NLT
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
Help my children to care for other students who feel marginalized and overlooked.
Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Psalm 41:1 NIV
Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;
the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.
Philippians 2:3 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.
Matthew 25:40 NIV
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Luke 6:31 NIV
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
May you give my children opportunities and boldness today to tell others about You.
Acts 4:29 NIV
Enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
Colossians 4:3-6 NIV
Pray . . . that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
1 Peter 3:15-16 NLT
Worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.
