"Pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16). Paul urged that "supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men" (1 Timothy 2:1). Samuel said, "God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you" (1 Samuel 12:23).
Praying for others, often called intercession, is one of the most loving things you can do for someone. It costs little, it can be done anywhere, and Scripture says it truly matters. These twelve King James verses cover God's call to intercede, prayers from the Bible you can pray word for word over the people you love, and the great intercessors of Scripture, including Jesus Himself, who prays for us. For prayer in general, see Bible verses about prayer; for a life of continual prayer, see prayerful.
God calls us to intercede
1. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."
First of all, prayers and intercessions for all men, including kings and all in authority. Paul puts praying for others at the top of the list, including leaders we did not vote for.
2. James 5:16
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Pray one for another. James ties confession, prayer, and healing together, then promises that fervent prayer availeth much. Your prayers for a friend do real work.
3. Ephesians 6:18
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"
Right after describing the armor of God, Paul says to keep praying with perseverance and supplication for all saints. Intercession is how believers fight for one another.
4. 1 Samuel 12:23
"Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:"
God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you. Samuel had been rejected by the people, yet he called it sin to stop praying for them. Prayer is a debt of love.
Prayers to pray over others
5. Numbers 6:24-26
"The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee. God gave this blessing to the priests to speak over Israel. It is perfect to pray over a child at bedtime, a friend before a trip, or a family at a meal.
6. Colossians 1:9
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;"
Paul did not cease to pray that the Colossians would be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom. When you do not know what to pray for someone, pray this.
7. Philippians 1:9-11
"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."
Paul prays that their love would abound in knowledge and judgment, and that they would be filled with the fruits of righteousness. It is a model of praying for someone's heart, not only their circumstances.
8. Matthew 5:44
"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"
Pray for them which despitefully use you. Jesus extends intercession even to enemies. Praying for someone who hurt you is hard, but it softens your heart and leaves justice to God.
Intercessors in the Bible
9. Job 42:10
"And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before."
The LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends, the same friends who had wounded him with bad advice. Restoration came as Job interceded for them.
10. Colossians 4:12
"Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God."
Epaphras was always labouring fervently in prayers for the church at Colosse. We know almost nothing else about him, but his ministry of prayer is remembered forever. Hidden intercessors matter.
11. Luke 22:32
"But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."
I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. Jesus prayed for Peter before Peter's denial, and that prayer held. Your prayers for a struggling friend may be what helps them return.
12. Hebrews 7:25
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
He ever liveth to make intercession for them. Jesus is still praying for His people. When we pray for others, we join the prayer ministry of our great High Priest.
A short prayer
Lord, You know the people on my heart today. Bless them and keep them; make Your face shine upon them and give them peace. Fill them with the knowledge of Your will, strengthen their faith, and help me never cease to pray for them. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
Download our free SOAP study page · Get the SOAP Bible Study Journal · Try the 30-Day Prayer Journal
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about praying for others?
Scripture commands it: "pray one for another" (James 5:16) and make intercessions "for all men" (1 Timothy 2:1). Samuel called it sin to stop praying for others (1 Samuel 12:23), and Jesus "ever liveth to make intercession" for us (Hebrews 7:25).
What is a good Bible verse to pray over someone?
Numbers 6:24-26 ("The LORD bless thee, and keep thee") is a classic blessing. Colossians 1:9 and Philippians 1:9-11 are rich prayers for someone's spiritual growth. Put their name in the verse as you pray.
Does praying for others really make a difference?
James says "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16). God chooses to work through the prayers of His people, as He did when Job prayed for his friends (Job 42:10).
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about prayer · Bible verses about being prayerful · Bible verses about God answering prayers · Bible verses about loving your enemy · Bible verses about encouragement to others · Bible verses about helping other people
Explore more: All Bible verses by topic · KJV Bible verses · Verse of the day · Prayers · Bible study · Bible reading plans
