Believers should pray, not only for their own needs, but for those of others. Scripture provides many examples of intercession, and commends it as pleasing to God.
Believers must value others
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Examples of praying for others
Moses prays for the Israelites
Deuteronomy 9:18–19 See also Exodus 32:9–14, Exodus 34:9; Numbers 14:11–19; Deuteronomy 9:25–29
Then I fell down before the LORD for forty days and forty nights, as I had done the first time. I did not eat bread or drink water because of all the sin you had committed in doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD and provoking Him to anger. For I was afraid of the anger and wrath that the LORD had directed against you, enough to destroy you. But the LORD listened to me this time as well.
Samuel prays for Israel
1 Samuel 7:5–9 See also 1 Samuel 12:19–23
Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD on your behalf.” When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah. When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, their rulers marched up toward Israel. And when the Israelites learned of this, they feared the Philistines and said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on behalf of Israel, and the LORD answered him.
Job prays for his friends
After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his prosperity and doubled his former possessions.
Jeremiah prays for Judah
Jeremiah 7:16 God forbade the prophet Jeremiah to pray for his people because they were unrepentant sinners. See also Jeremiah 11:14, Jeremiah 14:11
As for you, do not pray for these people, do not offer a plea or petition on their behalf, and do not beg Me, for I will not listen to you.
Jesus Christ intercedes for believers
Romans 8:34 See also Isaiah 53:12; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1
Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God— and He is interceding for us.
The Holy Spirit intercedes for believers
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Christians are to intercede for others
Christians are to pray for their enemies
Matthew 5:44 See also Luke 6:28, Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Christians are to pray for one another
Ephesians 6:18 See also 1 Thessalonians 5:25; Philemon 1:22; Hebrews 13:18–19; James 5:14–16; 1 John 5:16
Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
Christians are to prayer for rulers
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— for kings and all those in authority— so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.
Examples of pleas made to Jesus Christ on behalf of others
See also Matthew 8:5–13 parallel Luke 7:1–10; Matthew 15:21–28 parallel Mark 7:24–30; Matthew 17:14–20 parallels Mark 9:14–29, Luke 9:37–42
Examples of notable prayers of intercession
2 Kings 19:14–19 parallel Isaiah 37:14–20 Hezekiah for deliverance; Ezra 8:21–23 Ezra for a safe journey; Daniel 9:1–19 Daniel for Jerusalem; John 17:6–26 Jesus Christ for his disciples; Ephesians 1:15–21, Ephesians 3:14–21; Colossians 1:9–13 Paul for the believers in Colosse
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.