Intercessory Prayer - The act of intentionally praying to God on behalf of someone or something else.

The Tension: We believe in it, but we also struggle to believe in it…

Jesus prayed for others

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
John 17:15

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.
John 17:20-21

Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Romans 8:34

The New Testament commands us to be praying for one another

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:16

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people1 Timothy 2:1

Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.Ephesians 6:18

God may not act without us

"We can’t do it without God, but God chooses not to do it without us."
— Augustine

Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
Exodus 17:10-12

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Romans 8:26

The biggest obstacle that stands in the way of praying for others is our own selfishness

Bottom Line

Praying for others is one way of loving others.

1. Listen to God first
2. Praying in the direction God gives
3. Be persistent
4. Don't go it alone

Action Steps

• Spend at least 10-15 minutes a day this week praying for others.
• Join the prayer team that prays over the prayer requests each week.