When you hear about someone going through a difficult time, your first reaction is often to say something to make them feel better. But what if you don’t know what to say to someone who is suffering? What if you are afraid of saying the wrong thing to them?
These comforting words for cards and texts are ways to be sending hugs and prayers, and more, to those who have encountered difficult times.
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Why send a comforting card or text?
When you don’t know what to say, it is easier to stay silent, even if you have the deepest sympathy for them. But for the dear friend who you want to comfort, their whole world may have flipped upside down.
Something has changed in their lives, and they might not know who they can reach out to. They could be keenly feeling the absence of others who they used to rely on. Even with many friends or family members, people can still feel alone, and like others don’t care or don’t want to get involved.
Sending hugs and prayers through greeting cards or texts, or notes to go with flowers or a meal, can make a world of difference to someone in need today. It is a great way to minister to others, and show them that you care about them. Be a witness of God’s love today with words of comfort.
Sending Hugs and Prayers through Words of Comfort
“Sending hugs and prayers” has become more popular lately as an alternative to “sending thoughts and prayers.” The latter phrase has been characterized in some circles as dismissive and ineffectual, ignoring the actual problem at hand.
While this characterization of the phrase is unfair if someone does sincerely mean that they are thinking of someone and praying for them, it should be acknowledged that it might not be the right phrase to use for everyone in every situation. Using language that doesn’t distract from the message you want to convey is important.
You may be looking for alternatives to “sending thoughts and prayers,” so “sending hugs and prayers” is a better fit for you. Either way, you are trying to make sure you say the right words to someone going through a breakup, family problems, school challenges, or the loss of a friend.
Here are different ways for you to be sending hugs and prayers to others who are going through hard times. Adapt the words to fit the situation; these are meant to be a starting point for your own words. Decide if a text message or greeting card would be more appropriate.
Please be absolutely sure to modify any message to someone who has lost a loved one. This can be an especially vulnerable time, and should be handled with extreme care.
- I was so sad to hear your news. I am praying for you, that God will bring great comfort to you today.
- May God’s presence be evident to you today, and may you feel His arms of comfort around you.
- You are so precious to me, and I am so sad you are going through this. Please know you aren’t alone. I am here when you need me, and I’m going to be checking in on you to see if you need anything.
- I am at a loss for what to say. I didn’t expect that this would ever happen to you. I am thinking about you and praying for you every day through this incredibly difficult time. Much love to you, dear friend.
- I am so thankful for you. You are a wonderful person who I am privileged to know. I know times have been hard lately, and I pray that you will be encouraged today to persevere through these challenges.
- I wish this weren’t happening to you. I pray often that this challenge will be removed from you. I know God will see you through this, and I will be there for you, too. I love you, friend!
- I appreciate how you have been there for me in the past, and I want to be there for you, too. Please let me know if you need anything. I am praying for you.
- Friend, I have some idea of what you are going through, as I’ve been there, too. I know your heart is broken and I wish I could heal it up for you, and make everything right for you. I am praying for healing to come to your heart. May God bless you with comfort, peace, and healing this very day.
- Even though I am far away, I’m sending hugs and prayers right now. I pray that you will be comforted and find encouragement today.
- I’m sorry for all the setbacks you’ve had lately. I pray that God will give you encouragement and joy today.
Bible Verses to Send
Sending a Bible verse to someone who is hurting can be tricky to navigate. While “Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16), it isn’t always the right time to teach or correct someone.
While Philippians 4:4 (“Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, ‘Rejoice!’”) is an excellent Bible verse, it is generally an inappropriate Bible verse to send in a sympathy card to someone.
If you aren’t sure if a particular Bible verse is appropriate for a situation, please reach out to another Christian for advice. This would especially be advisable for sympathy cards and texts.
Proverbs 25:11 tells us that “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Your goal when trying to comfort someone during a hard time, when you are sending hugs and prayers to them, should be to send that word “fitly spoken.”
These suggested Bible verses may be of comfort when someone is in a time of need and needs lots of love from their friends and family. Please, still take into account whether or not the Bible verse would be a comfort to that particular person, and pray about sending it.
“In the multitude of my thoughts within me, your comforts delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19
After you write this verse, you could say, “I am praying that God’s consolations would sustain you and encourage you today.”
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
To this, you could add, “I pray that God’s perfect comfort would surround you right now.”
“For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from God’s love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
This verse can be a great encouragement to Christians who are having a hard time finding hope. You could add to this, “I am praying that you will see God’s love and hope surround you today.”
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.” John 14:27
When someone is going through a trial, this verse can be of great comfort. After including this Bible verse, you could write, “I pray that the perfect peace of God will keep your heart at peace today.”
Ways to pray for a friend in need
When you tell a friend you are sending hugs and prayers, it is important to follow through with what you’ve said. So actually pray for them! Be faithful to lift up their prayer requests.
Here are two prayers that you can pray for a friend in need. I’m including the playlist of the YouTube shorts so that you can be sending prayers (one or both of them) through YouTube.
Dear God,
Thank you so much for my friend. You know that they are going through a difficult time right now.
Please help them feel close to you today. Show them Your comfort and peace.
May they trust their worries to You, and may You guard their heart and mind in You!
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
O Lord God,
I lift my friend up to You right now. My heart breaks for them. I know that You see them too, and care about what they are going through.
Please bring them comfort today. May their heart be encouraged as they hope in You and what You have for them.
May they know that You are always with them, and never separated from Your love!
Please bless my friend today!
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
While sending hugs and prayers might not immediately change what your friend or family member is going through, it could make a difference in their challenging day. Reach out to someone who needs your words of encouragement today! I hope these words and Bible verses help you in sending hugs and prayers to someone today!
If you found “Sending Hugs and Prayers” helpful, you may also like “Bible Verses about Storms of Life”.
