International day for Friendship USA Friendship Day – August 2nd 2026

John 15:13 (NIV)

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

This is one of the most well-known verses about friendship in the New Testament, spoken by Jesus. It emphasizes sacrificial love as the highest expression of friendship.

John 15:15 (NIV)

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

Here, Jesus refers to His disciples as friends rather than servants, highlighting intimacy, mutual trust, and the sharing of divine knowledge.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

While not using the word “friend” directly, this verse reflects the kind of supportive, uplifting relationship expected between believers—core to Christian friendship.

International Friendship Day is a day to appreciate and promote friendships. One goal of this observance is to bridge the gaps between race, color, religion, and other factors which keep humans from fostering friendship with one another. According to the UN, one purpose of this observance is to promote the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures, and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.

International Day of Friendship was established in 2011 by the United Nations with the intent of building communities and helping them move towards world peace. The United Nations encourages governments, groups, and organizations to host activities and events that promote dialogue, acceptance, and understanding between people of different backgrounds. This day is observed annually on July 30th.

International Day for Friendship 1p LETTER 20251118

International Day for Friendship 1p A4 20251118

Prayer for Friendship

Almighty Father, I give thanks today for the friendships in my life. Lord, this life isn’t meant to be lived alone, so I am grateful for the people who walk alongside me, supporting me, loving me, and encouraging me. For we cannot do it all alone but are better together. Help me to be more aware and gracious to my friends, appreciating them and accepting their help. Help me to be a better friend, too, supporting, loving, and encouraging others. Lord, lead me to find and cultivate deeper friendships and be a good friend in all that I do. Shower your blessings upon those I call friends, that you may ever be in our midst. Bind us together, Lord, for a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Amen.

Prayer for a friend

Lord, I give you (name) and thank you for them. I thank you for everything that they are And for all their gifts and talents. I thank you for the many things that they have given to others And for all the kindness that they have shown me. Lord, at the beginning of time You breathed Your life into creation May you breathe Your life into them now So that each step they take is filled with Your faith Each thought they think is filled with Your hope and each moment they live is filled with Your love. May they fully know Your life And fully live in Your love This day and every day.

Amen

Strength for a Friend

Lord, I come before you today knowing that all power is in Your hand. I know that you are the Lord and that you care for your people.
Right now, my friend is struggling with a difficult trial. I can see her strength is faltering, Lord, and know that you have all of the strength that she needs.
I pray that you will reach down and touch her right now wherever she is at this moment. Let your presence fill the room where she is and let her feel an extra portion of your strength that can help her to get through this day.
She needs you now, Lord, and I thank you in advance for meeting her where she is and shoring up her strength during this difficult time.
In Jesus name.

Amen.

To be Grateful
Lord God, may we be grateful for our lot,
and compassionate toward all those who are
suffering every kind of distress at this
difficult time.
May we hold back nothing, and
hasten to be the ministers of prayer and mercy,
like the disciples of Him who went about doing
good in times of need.
Amen