Paul rarely closed a letter without naming names, thanking specific people for specific things, Phoebe’s help, Titus’s concern, the Philippians’ partnership from the very first day. He didn’t just feel grateful in general. He said exactly who he was grateful for and why.
These thirty verses are for that same specific appreciation, prayed over the people who’ve actually shown up for you. For gratitude directed toward God more broadly, a prayer for gratitude is worth praying alongside this one.
Pray these with a specific person in mind, and consider telling them afterward, not just praying it silently.
Prayer for Appreciation
1. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (KJV)
“And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.”
Prayer: Let me acknowledge those who work hard among me, holding them in highest regard in love.
Let this appreciation be specific, not just a general good feeling.
2. Philippians 1:3-5 (KJV)
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;”
Prayer: Let me thank You every time I remember someone, for their partnership from the very first day.
Let gratitude for people be part of my regular prayer, not an afterthought.
3. Romans 16:3-4 (KJV)
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.”
Prayer: Let me appreciate the people who have genuinely risked something for me.
Let me not take that kind of sacrifice for granted.
4. Philemon 1:4-7 (KJV)
“I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.”
Prayer: Let me thank You for someone’s love and faith, which has refreshed the hearts of others.
Let me name specifically what someone’s presence has actually meant to me.
5. 1 Corinthians 16:15-18 (KJV)
“I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.”
Prayer: Let me recognize those who have devoted themselves to serving others.
Let devoted, quiet service not go unnoticed by me.
6. Colossians 4:7-9 (KJV)
“All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.”
Prayer: Let me call the faithful people in my life what they actually are, dear and reliable.
Let this recognition be spoken, not just felt privately.
7. 2 Timothy 1:16-18 (KJV)
“The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.”
Prayer: Let me remember those who have refreshed me, especially in hard seasons.
Let me not let their kindness fade from memory once things got easier.
8. 3 John 1:5-8 (KJV)
“Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.”
Prayer: Let me appreciate faithfulness in helping others, even strangers.
Let generosity toward others be something I actively notice and value.
9. Ruth 2:11-12 (KJV)
“And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.”
Prayer: Let me see and name someone’s sacrifice, the way Boaz named Ruth’s for Naomi.
Let me speak appreciation directly to the person, not just about them.
10. Proverbs 31:28-29 (KJV)
“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.”
Prayer: Let the people who deserve praise actually hear it from me.
Let this praise be genuine, not just expected or performed.
11. Proverbs 27:2 (KJV)
“Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.”
Prayer: Let me be quick to praise others, rather than only myself.
Let this become a genuine habit, not a rare exception.
12. Proverbs 3:27 (KJV)
“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.”
Prayer: Let me not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it’s in my power to give it.
Let appreciation be something I actually act on, not just feel.
13. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Prayer: Let me remind others their labor for You isn’t in vain, when they need to hear it.
Let encouragement be something I actively give, not just receive.
14. Hebrews 6:10 (KJV)
“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
Prayer: You are not unjust, You will not forget the work and love shown to others in Your name.
Let me trust You see what others might miss.
15. Romans 16:1-2 (KJV)
“I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.”
Prayer: Let me commend the people who’ve genuinely helped many, including me.
Let their help be publicly recognized, not quietly assumed.
16. 2 Corinthians 8:16-17 (KJV)
“But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.”
Prayer: Thanks be to You for putting concern for others into people’s hearts.
Let me see this as Your work in them, not just their own kindness.
17. Acts 20:35 (KJV)
“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Prayer: It is more blessed to give than to receive. Let me appreciate people who actually live this out.
Let generosity in others inspire the same in me.
18. Galatians 6:6 (KJV)
“Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”
Prayer: Let those who teach and instruct me be shared with generously in return.
Let appreciation flow both ways, not just one direction.
19. Proverbs 15:23 (KJV)
“A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!”
Prayer: Let me find joy in giving an apt reply, a word of appreciation spoken at the right time.
Let my timing be as thoughtful as my words.
20. Proverbs 25:11 (KJV)
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”
Prayer: Let a word fitly spoken be like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Let my words of appreciation actually land the way this describes.
21. Ephesians 6:7-8 (KJV)
“With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”
Prayer: Let me appreciate those who serve wholeheartedly, as if serving You.
Let me notice this kind of quiet, faithful service.
22. 1 Peter 4:10 (KJV)
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
Prayer: Let me appreciate each person’s gift, faithfully administering Your grace to others.
Let me value the different ways people show up, not just one kind.
23. Psalms 112:5 (KJV)
“A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.”
Prayer: Good comes to those who are generous and lend freely.
Let me appreciate generosity when I see it, not take it for granted.
24. Colossians 3:17 (KJV)
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
Prayer: Whatever I do, in word or deed, let me do it with genuine thankfulness.
Let thankfulness for people shape how I speak to them.
25. Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV)
“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Prayer: Let me share good portions with those who have little prepared, and let joy be the strength we share.
Let appreciation include actually sharing, not just praising.
26. Luke 6:38 (KJV)
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
Prayer: Let me give appreciation freely, and let it be given back to me.
Let generosity in praise be part of how I live, not rare.
27. Psalms 127:3 (KJV)
“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”
Prayer: Children are a heritage from You, a reward. Let me appreciate the people You’ve given me.
Let me not take the people closest to me for granted.
28. Proverbs 22:29 (KJV)
“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”
Prayer: Let those skilled in their work be recognized, standing before people who matter.
Let skill and diligence in others be something I genuinely notice.
29. 1 Timothy 5:17 (KJV)
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”
Prayer: Let those who lead well be worthy of double honor.
Let me honor good leadership, not just tolerate it.
30. Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
Prayer: Bless the people I’m grateful for, keep them, make Your face shine on them, and give them peace.
Let this old blessing reach the people I’m appreciating today.
Conclusion
Paul’s letters are full of specific names for a reason. Generic gratitude is easy to feel and easy to forget. Naming exactly who helped, and how, and thanking them for it directly, is what actually makes appreciation land.
Send a message today naming one specific thing someone did that you’re grateful for, not just a general thank you.
For encouraging that same person further, a prayer for encouragement is worth sharing alongside this one.