20 Powerful Examples of Intercession Prayers to Help Others with scripture

Intercession is the act of praying on behalf of someone else, asking God to intervene and bless them according to His will. Intercession is a powerful way of expressing our love and compassion for others, as well as partnering with God in His redemptive work in the world. Intercession can be done for individuals, groups, communities, nations, and even the whole creation.

Intercession is a privilege and a responsibility that we have as followers of Christ; to stand in the gap for others; to lift up their needs before God’s throne of grace; to partner with Him in His purposes for them.

important of intercessory prayers

Intercessory prayer is important because it reflects the heart of God, who desires that all people should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). Intercessory prayer also strengthens our relationship with God, as we learn to trust Him more and align ourselves with His will. Intercessory prayer also benefits us, as we experience joy, peace, and gratitude when we see God answering our prayers and blessing others.

How to pray intercessory prayers

To pray intercessory prayers, we need to have a sincere and compassionate heart for others. We also need to have faith in God’s power and goodness, and be willing to submit to His will. We can use the following steps to guide us in praying intercessory prayers:

• Identify the person or situation that needs prayer.
• Ask God to reveal His will and purpose for them.
• Thank God for what He has already done and what He is going to do.
• Ask God to intervene and act according to His will and glory.
• Pray for specific needs and requests, such as healing, protection, provision, guidance, etc.
• Pray in the name of Jesus, who is our mediator and advocate before God.
• Pray with confidence and perseverance, knowing that God hears and answers our prayers.

20 Powerful Examples of Intercession Prayers

We will explore 20 powerful examples of intercession prayers that can help us pray effectively for others. We will also look at some biblical verses that inspire and instruct us on how to intercede for others.

1. Intercessory Prayer for Healing

Heavenly Father, I come before You on behalf of those who need physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. I lift their names before Your throne of grace, asking for Your mighty touch to bring restoration and wholeness to their bodies, minds, and souls. Lord, I pray for doctors, nurses, and medical professionals involved in their care, that You would grant them wisdom, skill, and compassion. May Your healing power flow through them and bring comfort and relief to those who are suffering. Strengthen the faith of those who are sick and their loved ones, reminding them of Your faithfulness and love. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

This prayer is based on James 5:14-16, which instructs us to pray for the sick and to confess our sins to one another, so that we may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

2. Intercessory Prayer for Comfort

Gracious God, I intercede for those who are experiencing grief, sorrow, and loss. Surround them with Your comforting presence, embracing them in Your loving arms. Bring solace to their hurting hearts and grant them the peace that surpasses all understanding. Lord, be their refuge and strength in this time of pain. Provide them with the support and encouragement they need, whether through friends, family, or the wider community. May Your comfort bring hope and healing to their lives. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

This prayer is based on [2 Corinthians 1:3-4], which praises God as the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

3. Intercessory Prayer for Strength

Almighty God, I lift those who are facing challenges, trials, and difficulties. Grant them strength and endurance to persevere through their circumstances. Help them to trust in You and to rely on Your grace and power. May they not grow weary or lose heart, but renew their strength in You. Lord, be their shield and defender, their rock and fortress. May they overcome every obstacle by Your Spirit and experience Your victory in their lives. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

This prayer is based on [Isaiah 40:28-31], which assures us that the Lord is the everlasting God who does not faint or grow weary; He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of those who have no might; those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

4. Intercessory Prayer for Guidance

Loving Father, I intercede for those who need direction and guidance in their lives. Lead them by Your Spirit and by Your Word into Your perfect will for them. Show them the path that You have prepared for them and make their steps firm. Lord, be their light and their lamp, their shepherd and their guide. May they seek You with all their heart and acknowledge You in all their ways. May they discern Your voice from the noise of the world and follow You faithfully wherever You call them. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

This prayer is based on [Psalm 32:8], which promises that the Lord will instruct us and teach us in the way we should go; He will counsel us with His eye upon us.

5. Intercessory Prayer for Provision

Heavenly Father, I intercede for those who are in need of material or financial provision. Supply all their needs according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings upon them that they may not have room enough to receive it. Lord, be their provider and protector, their source and sufficiency. May they seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness and trust that You will add all these things to them. May they be content with what they have and share generously with others as You have blessed them. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

This prayer is based on [Philippians 4:19], which assures us that God will supply every need of ours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

6. Intercessory Prayer for Salvation

Merciful God, I intercede for those who do not know You personally and have not received Your gift of salvation. I pray that You would draw them by Your Spirit and by Your grace to repentance and faith in Your Son Jesus Christ. Lord, open their eyes to see the truth of the gospel and open their hearts to receive Your love and forgiveness. May they confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that You raised Him from the dead. May they be born again into Your family and become Your children. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

This prayer is based on [Romans 10:9-10], which declares that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved; for with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

7. Intercessory Prayer for Family Restoration

Faithful God, I intercede for those who are facing brokenness and conflict in their families. I pray that You would restore and heal their relationships, bringing reconciliation and forgiveness where there is bitterness and resentment. Lord, be their peace and their bond of love, their healer and their restorer. May they honor You and each other in their words and actions. May they bear with one another in love and seek to serve one another in humility. May they build each other up and not tear each other down. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

This prayer is based on [Ephesians 4:1-3], which urges us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

8. Intercessory Prayer for Peace

Lord Almighty, I intercede for those who are living in fear, anxiety, or turmoil. I pray that You would fill them with Your peace that surpasses all understanding, guarding their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Lord, be their refuge and strength, their help and hope. May they cast all their cares upon You, knowing that You care for them. May they experience Your presence and Your power in the midst of their troubles. May they be still and know that You are God. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

This prayer is based on [Philippians 4:6-7], which instructs us not to be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let our requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

9. Intercessory Prayer for Justice

Righteous God, I intercede for those who are suffering from injustice, oppression, or violence. I pray that You would defend their cause and vindicate their rights. Lord, be their advocate and avenger, their shield and deliverer. May they see Your justice prevail and Your righteousness shine forth. May they find comfort in Your promises and hope in Your kingdom. May they not lose heart or give up, but trust in You who will judge the world with equity and righteousness. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

This prayer is based on [Psalm 9:7-10], which proclaims that the Lord sits enthroned forever; He has established His throne for justice; He judges the world with righteousness; He judges the peoples with uprightness; the Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble; those who know His name put their trust in Him; He does not forsake those who seek Him.

10. Intercessory Prayer for Revival

Holy Father, I intercede for those who are spiritually dry or lukewarm. I pray that You would revive them by Your Spirit and by Your Word, restoring their first love for You and rekindling their passion for Your glory. Lord, be their fire and their zeal, their joy, and their delight. May they hunger and thirst for You more than anything else. May they seek You with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. May they worship You in spirit and truth, serving You with gratitude and obedience. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

This prayer is based on [Psalm 85:6], which asks God to revive us again so that we may rejoice in Him.

11. Intercessory Prayer for Hope

Lord, I intercede for those who are feeling hopeless or discouraged. I pray that You would fill them with Your hope that does not disappoint, anchoring their souls in Your promises and Your faithfulness. Lord, be their hope and their future, their anchor and their assurance. May they look to You as the author and finisher of their faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. May they rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.