A Prayer for Strength for a Coworker

You want to pray for a coworker who is running on empty, and you are not sure what to say. Start simply. Pray that God would be their strength, not just their relief. Ask Him to hold them up when the work is heavy, to give them clear thinking, and to let them know they are not alone. You can pray this in a minute at your desk, or in a longer quiet moment. The point is not perfect words. It is bringing a real person before a real God who cares about the ordinary hours of a workday.

What does the Bible say about praying for someone else’s strength?

Scripture is full of people asking God for strength, and often they ask on behalf of others. When David was hunted and exhausted, he did not pretend to be fine. He wrote:

I will keep watch for You, O my strength, because You, O God, are my fortress. — Psalm 59:9 (BSB)

Notice that David calls God his strength. Strength is not a feeling he musters up; it is a Person he watches for. Later in the same psalm he says:

But I will sing of Your strength and proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning. For You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. — Psalm 59:16 (BSB)

When you pray for a coworker, you are asking God to be that fortress for them. You are not asking them to try harder. You are asking God to do what only He can do.

James tells us that prayer like this matters more than we think:

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. — James 5:16 (BSB)

That verse is often translated as the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous person availing much. The old writer said it moves the hand of Him who moves the world. Your prayer for a tired coworker is not a small thing.

How do I pray for a coworker who is anxious or overwhelmed?

Work anxiety is real, and it can feel like a weight you cannot put down. When you pray for a coworker in that place, you can ask God for three things.

First, ask for peace in their mind. Paul told the Philippians not to be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, to present their requests to God. You can pray that same thing over your coworker.

Second, ask for strength for the next hour, not the whole year. Jesus taught us to pray for daily bread, not yearly bread. A coworker who is overwhelmed often cannot imagine next month. They can make it through the next meeting. Pray for that.

Third, ask that they would know they are seen. One of the loneliest feelings at work is the sense that no one notices how hard you are trying. God notices. You can pray that your coworker would sense His care, perhaps even through a kind word from you.

If you want a simple prayer, you could pray something like this:

Father, You are the strength of Your people. I bring my coworker before You. You know the pressure they are under and the weariness they carry. Be their fortress today. Give them clear thinking, steady hands, and a quiet heart. Let them know they are not alone. Provide what they need for the work in front of them, and give them rest when the day is done. In Jesus’ name, amen.

What if my coworker is not a Christian?

You can still pray for them. God is kind to all people, and He hears the prayers of His children for those who do not yet know Him. Pray that they would experience common grace: strength for the day, favor with people, and relief from unnecessary pressure. And pray that, in time, they would come to know the God who is the fountain of life. Psalm 36 says:

For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light. — Psalm 36:9 (BSB)

You do not need to preach at them. You can simply care for them and pray for them. God can use your quiet kindness.

How do I pray when I am also struggling at work?

Sometimes the person who needs strength is you. You may be praying for a coworker while your own tank is empty. That is a hard place to be. The Bible does not shame you for it. David wrote a whole psalm from that place:

Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am frail; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are in agony. — Psalm 6:2 (BSB)

And later:

The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer. — Psalm 6:9 (BSB)

You can tell God the truth. You can say, I am tired too. I need strength for both of us. He is not annoyed by that. He is a father who cares for His children.

If your weariness is heavy and does not lift, please talk with a pastor or a trusted believer in person. If anxiety or low mood is affecting your daily life, see a doctor or a licensed counselor. There is no shame in getting help.

What does it look like to stand strong in a difficult workplace?

Paul wrote about standing strong in a world that pushes against us:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. — Ephesians 6:10-11 (KJV)

He goes on to say that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces. That means your difficult coworker or your unfair boss is not the real enemy. The real battle is spiritual, and prayer is a main way we fight it. When you pray for a coworker’s strength, you are doing battle on their behalf.

You can also stand strong by doing small, faithful things. Show up on time. Do your work well. Speak kindly. Offer to help with a task. These ordinary acts of love are not small in God’s eyes.

How can I make this prayer a habit?

You do not need a special time or place. You can pray in the car before you walk in, or in the break room, or while you wait for a file to load. Pick one coworker and pray for them each day for a week. You might write their name on a sticky note where you will see it. You might set a reminder on your phone.

Another help is to pray Scripture. You can pray Psalm 59:9 over them: Lord, be their strength and their fortress. You can pray Psalm 6:2: Lord, be merciful to them, for they are frail. God’s Word gives you words when you do not have your own.

Finally, remember that prayer is not a technique to get results. It is a relationship with a Father who loves you and loves your coworker. You can come to Him honestly, again and again. He is not tired of hearing from you.

If you are in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself, please reach out right away. In the United States and Canada, call or text 988. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, call Samaritans on 116 123. In Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Anywhere else, visit findahelpline.com or call your local emergency number. You are not alone, and help is available.

Keep praying. Keep pointing your coworker, and yourself, to the God who is our strength. And stay connected to a local church, where you can pray with others and be reminded that you are part of a family.

Common questions

Can I pray for a coworker who is not a Christian?

Yes. God cares for all people, and you can ask Him to give your coworker strength, peace, and favor. You can also pray that they would come to know Him, but you do not need to pressure them. Simply care for them and pray.

What if I don’t know what to say when I pray for my coworker?

You can pray short and simple. Tell God what you see and ask Him to be their strength. You can also pray Scripture, such as asking God to be their fortress from Psalm 59. God is not looking for perfect words.

How do I keep praying for a coworker when I’m busy?

Attach your prayer to something you already do, like your commute or your first cup of coffee. Pray for one person for a week. Even a one-sentence prayer in the middle of the day counts.