10 Things to Pray for Your Single Friend During the Holiday Season

picture found on internet, altered by Caravan Sonnet

Happy Monday sweet friends! I hope that you had a wonderful weekend! It is hard to believe that the calendar days have slipped by and that we are well into December.  With Christmas and New Years quickly approaching I wanted to share 10 Things to Pray for your Single Friend During the Holiday Season. 

 The holiday season can be a difficult and emotional time for many singles and while this doesn't address everything to pray and is definitely not a "formula" I do hope and pray that this is a good "starting point" for you to be praying for those that you love who are single. 

1. Pray that your friend would feel securely and completely loved during the holiday season.

If there is ever a time that many singles struggle with feeling "alone" it is often during the holidays. There are so many parties and events to attend that you would think it would be the opposite but many times singles feel more alone than other times of the year simply because it seems that everyone has a "plus 1" to all of the company holiday parties, family gatherings, and Christmas shopping. Pray that your friend would experience the hope of the holidays and would know fully the promise of Psalm 68:6 ("God sets the lonely in families...") during the holidays. 

2. Pray for their protection as they travel alone. 

The holiday season is often a season ripe with lots of travel and often times singles travel alone. Pray that your friend would be protected as they come and go (Psalm 121:8) and that the Lord would watch over them (Psalm 121:5). Pray that the Lord would keep them from all harm and watch over their life. (Psalm 121:7) Pray that the Lord would place His angels around your friend as they travel and live alone. (Psalm 91:11)

3. Pray that they would see the Lord cares uniquely and lovingly for them in this season. 

Listen, I love Hallmark and all of the Christmas movies that started playing the day after summer (haha I am joking but seriously) more than any girl I know, but sometimes as a single it can feel extremely discouraging to watch on TV or experience in real life all of the romance and engagements that happen in the holiday season. Pray that your friend would unique see that the Lord has not forgotten them and is with them. When I think of this area I always think of the story of Hagar in the Bible (Genesis 16). The Lord provided beautifully and uniquely for this single woman. Pray that your friend would see that the God of Hagar is still the same today and is uniquely and lovingly working in this season. 

4. Pray for them as they navigate a "couples world" and deal with many who have a lack of understanding for their situation. 

I have heard it said a thousand times and I often agree... it is a couples world and the holiday season seems to intensify this with all of the "well-meaning" comments. Whether done intentionally or unintentionally this can often lead singles to navigate a host of situations that are "normal, daily events" that requires a lot of grace and a lot of strength. Many times those who are well-meaning have rash words (Proverbs 12:18) that can hurt those who are struggling with singleness. Social media explodes with engagement announcements, wedding pictures, and relationship love during the holiday season. Christmas cards with happy couples and happy family units arrive almost daily. Family members may ask, "so you are still single?" and look at you like you are an alien. All of these things can be difficult to handle. Pray that your friend finds hope in the Lord as they navigate these areas. (Psalm 3:3)

5. Pray for their Joy. 

I am not saying that you pray that you friend is just "happy", but pray that your friend knows and experiences true joy during the holiday season. Pray that your friend experiences the true meaning of the holidays beyond their relationship status.

6. Pray for their self-esteem. 

Look, even the most confident person who is single questions and wonders if something is "wrong" with them and that is why they are single. Many singles struggle with self-esteem whether in their looks, or feeling that something that occurred in the past makes them "unworthy" for a great relationship, or feeling that for "xyz reason" they are "not good enough". The holiday season can be particularly rough in this area! Pray that your friend would know the truth of Psalm 139:13-14 and that this would resonate in their hearts. 

7. Pray for their spirits during the "questioning inquisition". 

It always seems that people can say the most insensitive things at exactly the wrong time doesn't it? I can't say how many inappropriate things have been said to me during what I affectionately call the "questioning inquisition". From, "oh my it must be awful to still be single at your age" to "honey, you just have to lower your expectations" to "you are not married yet? I thought you would be popping out babies right out of high school" the list goes on and on. It can be pretty discouraging and I walked away from more than one holiday gathering in tears over the years. Pray that your friend would be encouraged that the Lord is guiding their romantic journey and that their hearts would be protected from discouragement. (Looking for specific ways that you can encourage your single friends at any time of the year? Check out this post HERE on how to encourage your single friends!)

8. Pray for their broken heart. 

Many many many singles have experienced a broken heart and rejection in their single journey and a single can struggle with a broken heart more during the holidays than any other time. Whether this is a broken heart due to a relationship that didn't work out or the feeling of rejection by another person or the disappointment that a situation didn't "pan out" the single often feels "brokenhearted". Pray that your friend would tenderly know the loving care of God and that they would experience His healing of any brokenness that they are experiencing. (Psalm 147:3)

9. Pray for their hope. 

Pray that your friend would clearly see that they have hope for every situation, including their dreams for marriage especially during the holiday season. Pray that they know the truth of Jeremiah 29:11 and that they would find their hope not in marriage but in Christ and His word alone. (Psalm 130:5) Pray that they would find comfort in in Job 42:12 and that they would be clothed in strength and dignity so that they can laugh at the days to come. (Proverbs 31:25) 

10. Pray that your friend experiences God's love in unique ways this holiday season. 

Pray that your friend experiences love in unique and creative ways during the holiday season. Pray that your friend's hearts desires will be filled. Pray for their future spouse. Pray that the Lord's love would unique and creatively embrace your friend during this holiday season. Pray that there will be people who will love on your friend well. Pray that the Lord will give you wisdom on how you can love your single friends well during this holiday season. 

Are there things that you pray for your single friends during the holiday season that could be added to this list? I would love to know! Looking for things to pray for your single friends in general? Check out this post HERE! May you be blessed as you take the time to lift up your friends in prayer! You are a blessing!!