8611 prayer, for others

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

Php 2:3-4

Examples of praying for others

Moses prays for the Israelites Dt 9:18-19 See also Ex 32:9-14; Ex 34:9; Nu 14:11-19; Dt 9:25-29

Samuel prays for Israel 1Sa 7:5-9 See also 1Sa 12:19-23

Job prays for his friends Job 42:10

Jeremiah prays for Judah Jer 7:16 God forbade the prophet Jeremiah to pray for his people because they were unrepentant sinners. See also Jer 11:14; Jer 14:11

Jesus Christ intercedes for believers

Ro 8:34 See also Isa 53:12; Heb 7:25; 1Jn 2:1

The Holy Spirit intercedes for believers

Ro 8:26-27

Christians are to intercede for others

Christians are to pray for their enemies Mt 5:44 See also Lk 6:28; Lk 23:34; Ac 7:60

Christians are to pray for one another Eph 6:18 See also 1Th 5:25; Phm 22; Heb 13:18-19; Jas 5:14-16; 1Jn 5:16

Christians are to prayer for rulers 1Ti 2:1-2

Examples of pleas made to Jesus Christ on behalf of others

Examples of notable prayers of intercession

2Ki 19:14-19 pp Isa 37:14-20 Hezekiah for deliverance; Ezr 8:21-23 Ezra for a safe journey; Da 9:1-19 Daniel for Jerusalem; Jn 17:6-26 Jesus Christ for his disciples Paul for the believers in Ephesus: Eph 1:15-21; Eph 3:14-21
Col 1:9-13 Paul for the believers in Colosse

See also