Prayer of Intercession: Meaning, Examples, and How to Pray
What Is a Prayer of Intercession?
A prayer of intercession is simply a prayer offered on behalf of someone else. We do this when we ask God to help, heal, guide, or strengthen another person or group. This kind of prayer is woven all throughout the Bible.
When Abraham pleads for Sodom (Genesis 18:22–33), Moses begs for God’s mercy over the Israelites (Exodus 32:11–14), and Jesus prays for His disciples (John 17), they’re offering intercessory prayer. In 1 Timothy 2:1, Paul urges that “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone.”
Intercession is not just a spiritual exercise—it’s an act of love. We choose to carry others in our hearts and lift them to God.
The Biblical Basis for Intercessory Prayer
Scripture doesn’t just suggest intercession—it shows it in action:
Abraham pleads with God to spare Sodom if even ten righteous people can be found (Genesis 18).
Moses intercedes for a rebellious Israel, begging God to forgive them or blot him out too (Exodus 32).
Samuel considers it a sin to stop praying for the people (1 Samuel 12:23).
Jesus prays for Peter, for His disciples, and even from the cross for His enemies (Luke 22:32, John 17, Luke 23:34).
The Holy Spirit intercedes for us “with sighs too deep for words” (Romans 8:26–27).
These stories remind us that intercessory prayer is more than nice—it’s powerful, biblical, and essential.
How to Write a Prayer of Intercession
Whether you’re praying during Sunday worship, leading a small group, or praying quietly at home, intercessory prayer follows a few helpful patterns. It doesn’t need to be eloquent. It just needs to be honest and faithful.
Here’s a basic structure you can use:
Address God – Use a name that fits the tone: “God of mercy,” “Loving Father,” “Holy One.”
Name the Person or Group – Be specific in who you’re praying for.
Ask Boldly – Pray for healing, wisdom, comfort, peace—whatever is needed.
Express Trust – Acknowledge God’s care and sovereignty.
Close with Hope – End in Jesus’ name and with hope for restoration.
Examples of Prayers of Intercession
1. A Parent Praying for Their Child
Loving God,
I lift my child to you today.
Keep them safe, help them grow in kindness and courage, and draw them near to your heart.
Give me wisdom to guide them and grace when I fall short.
In your mercy, hear my prayer.
See how Jesus blessed and welcomed children into his presence. [Read more]
2. An Adult Child Praying for Their Aging Parent
God of tenderness,
I pray for my parent as they face the challenges of aging.
Give them strength, clarity, and peace.
Help me to love them with patience and gratitude.
In all things, let your presence be near.
Jesus knows how you feel. He was thinking of his Mom while upon the cross.
3. A Grandparent Praying for Their Family
Faithful God,
Thank you for the generations you’ve given me.
I pray for my children and grandchildren—bless them with faith, health, and joy.
May they walk in your ways and know your love deeply.
Hold our family in your grace.
4. A Friend Praying for a Friend
Lord,
I bring my friend to you today—someone I care about deeply.
You know every detail of their story: their joys and struggles, their worries and longings.
You see what’s weighing them down and what lifts their heart.
Be near to them in whatever this day holds.
In moments of doubt, be their confidence. In stress, be their calm. In weariness, be their rest.
Let your love be real to them—not just an idea, but a presence they can feel.
Remind them they are not alone—not just because I care, but because you do.
If there’s anything I can do to lighten their load or bring a smile, give me the grace to do it.
And if all I can do is pray, help me trust that it matters.
In your mercy, wrap them in peace, and carry them gently forward.
Amen.
5. A Spouse Praying for Their Spouse
Gracious God,
Thank you for the gift of my partner in life—for all the love we’ve shared, the laughter and the challenges, the growing and the grace.
Today I lift [name] to you.
You know what they’re carrying—pressures at work, unspoken worries, longings they haven’t even voiced.
Meet them in each of those places with your peace.
Give them wisdom in decisions, rest for their body and mind, and assurance that they are deeply loved.
Strengthen our marriage, Lord. Help us keep choosing each other, even when life gets busy or hard.
Teach us to speak with kindness, listen with patience, and serve with joy.
Remind us that our love is rooted in your love—a love that forgives, restores, and never gives up.
Keep us united in spirit and grace. When we feel far apart, draw us closer. When we are strong, help us lift others.
May our life together reflect your faithfulness.
In your mercy, bless [name] today and always.
Amen.
6. A Pastor Praying for the Church
Shepherding God,
I lift this congregation to you—your people, your beloved, your flock.
You know each one by name. You know the burdens they carry, the gifts they bring, the questions they ask, and the hopes they hold.
Kindle our faith, Lord. Let it not grow stale or safe, but stretch us into trust.
Deepen our compassion—not just for those like us, but for those we might overlook.
Lead us in your mission. Not our own agendas, but your kingdom vision.
Help us feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, care for the hurting, and embody good news.
Strengthen the weary among us—those who quietly serve, those carrying invisible griefs, those wondering if their presence makes a difference.
Guide our leaders with clarity and courage.
Help us not just to attend church, but to be the Church—gathered and scattered, faithful and flawed, united in Christ.
Let our worship be sincere, our community real, our love wide, and our hope resilient.
May our life together honor Christ—in word and deed, in failure and grace, in ordinary days and holy ones.
Amen.
7. A Christian Praying for Their Pastor and Church
Lord of the Church,
Thank you for my pastor—for their faithfulness, their compassion, and the countless hours they give in ways most of us will never see.
Thank you for their preaching, their prayers, their visits, their quiet presence in hard moments.
I pray today that you would strengthen them in body, mind, and spirit.
Renew their sense of purpose when they feel weary.
Remind them they are not alone, not forgotten, not expected to carry the weight of ministry on their own.
Give them vision and energy, courage and rest. Protect their heart from discouragement and burnout.
Let them know they are loved—not just by you, but by us.
And I pray for our church, this community of faith.
Help us grow together in grace and generosity.
Give us hearts to serve, ears to listen, and a willingness to follow where your Spirit leads.
Make us more than a gathering—make us a people rooted in Christ, alive with purpose, shaped by your Word and led by your Spirit.
May our life together bless our pastor as much as their ministry has blessed us.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
8. For Those Who Are Grieving
God of comfort,
Wrap your arms around those who mourn today.
Let your promises shine through their sorrow.
Give them companions in the valley, and courage to face each new day.
We trust that not even grief is stronger than your love.
9. For Someone Seeking Work
Provider God,
We lift up those searching for a job today.
Guide their steps, open the right doors, and provide for their needs in this uncertain time.
Give them confidence and peace.
May they know their worth is not in their work, but in your love.
10. For Those Seeking Housing or Stability
God of shelter,
We pray for those who need a safe place to live.
Open pathways, stir up community support, and give peace in the waiting.
Help them know they are not forgotten.
May your provision meet their needs today.
11. For Someone in Financial Struggle
Merciful God,
Be near to those struggling to make ends meet.
Ease their burdens, provide for their needs, and send wise and generous support.
Remind them that they are seen, known, and loved.
May your people reflect your care.
12. For Someone Discerning a Big Decision
God of wisdom,
Speak into the uncertainty.
Help [name] listen for your voice and trust your timing.
Give clarity where the way is foggy, courage where fear rises, and peace in the waiting.
May your will become clear, and your presence steady.
13. For a Congregation Facing Change or Conflict
Lord of peace,
Be at work in your church.
Where there is disagreement, bring grace. Where there is weariness, bring strength.
Help us listen well, speak kindly, and move forward with courage.
Unite us in Christ.
14. For Someone Facing Addiction
God of mercy,
I lift up [name] to you, struggling under the weight of addiction.
Break the chains that bind them. Surround them with support, strength, and hope.
In moments of weakness, be their strength. In shame, be their grace.
Lead them into freedom and new life, step by step, day by day.
Amen.
Intercessory Prayer in Worship
In many churches, especially those shaped by Reformed, Anglican, or liturgical traditions, intercessory prayer is part of weekly worship. Often called “Prayers of the People,” these prayers name the world’s concerns, the church’s needs, and the suffering of individuals. Sometimes the congregation responds with a phrase like:
Leader: Lord, in your mercy…
People: Hear our prayer.
These moments remind us that we are not isolated believers—we are a body. When one part rejoices, we all rejoice; when one part suffers, we all suffer (1 Corinthians 12:26).
Writing these prayers takes care, context-awareness, and spiritual attentiveness. You might include:
Global concerns (conflict, natural disasters, elections)
National needs (justice, poverty, leadership)
Local community life (schools, hospitals, first responders)
Specific people (those who are ill, grieving, or celebrating)
Intercessory Prayer Across Christian Traditions
Intercessory prayer is practiced in every branch of Christianity. While traditions differ, the heart is the same: we bring others before God.
Some traditions, like Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, may also pray for the intercession of saints. In Reformed and Protestant contexts, intercession is typically directed straight to God, in the name of Jesus.
Whether your prayers are written or spontaneous, whispered or spoken aloud, they form a vital thread in the life of faith.
FAQ: Prayers of Intercession
What is a prayer of intercession?
It’s a prayer offered on behalf of someone else—asking God to act in their life with mercy, justice, healing, or peace.
Is intercessory prayer biblical?
Yes. Scripture is full of people interceding for others, including Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Paul, and Jesus Himself.
How is intercessory prayer different from other prayers?
Unlike prayers of confession or thanksgiving, intercession focuses outward. It’s a selfless form of prayer that lifts others’ needs before God.
Can anyone pray intercessory prayers?
Absolutely. You don’t have to be a pastor or spiritual expert. Every believer is invited to pray on behalf of others (James 5:16).
What should I include in a prayer of intercession?
Name the person or group, describe the need, and ask God to act. You might also offer thanksgiving and trust in God’s response.
Prayers of Intercession – Meaning for Today
In our fast-paced, noisy world, pausing to pray for others is a radical act. It says, “You matter.” It connects us across distance and difference. And it echoes the very heart of Christ, who “always lives to make intercession” for us (Hebrews 7:25).
Whether spoken from a pulpit, whispered in your living room, or scribbled in a journal, your intercessory prayers matter. They are seen. They are heard.
“The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” — James 5:16
