How to Pray for Others
Why do we pray for others? Praying for others is an act of love.. We are asking God to intervene on their behalf by bringing their needs before His throne of grace and asking for His help. It's important to not only pray for our family and friends, but also for our enemies. Prayer opens our hearts to compassion and love for others, especially our enemies. It is how we learn to trust God to work in our lives.
Prayer is also how we connect with God, it's one of the two major keys for developing a close relationship with Him - the other is daily bible reading. It is ESSENTIAL in our relationship with Him.
It is also one of our greatest blessings - we should always be devoted to prayer, as well as daily bible reading, seeking God's will, and being thankful for all He has done in our lives and in the lives of others. There is nothing more exciting than to see answers to prayers, not only in our life, but also others.
Remember: it's not how we pray, how eloquent or long our prayer is that gives it power, the power of prayer lies in the ONE to WHOM we are praying. So even a short prayer, "Lord, help them." is a powerful prayer because we are praying to our amazing God.
Here are some ways you can pray for others:
~ When you pray for a specific person, begin by asking God to help you know what to pray for this person. Pray for whatever comes to mind, even if it's short and simple.
~ Salvation and spiritual growth
~ If you know of specific needs, pray for those
~ Safety and protection
~ Health - physical, emotional, and spiritual
~ Relationships - family, friends, co-workers
One of the things that has helped me with a daily time of praying for others is creating 7 lists with different groups on each list. I pray for one of the lists each day of the week. I like being able to cycle through the lists every week. Oftentimes I just mention names, but sometimes if I feel prompted, I may stop on one name and pray a more specific prayer for whatever comes to mind. By prompted, I mean if something more comes to my mind to pray for when I see their name on my list.
I tend to do that a lot when praying - praying for whatever comes to mind for that person. I'm trusting the Holy Spirit to lead me and based on past experience, whatever comes to my mind is usually the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Other things that I do:
~ If someone comes to mind, I pray for them
~ I have a specific time dedicated to prayer. I started getting up an hour earlier each workday, and I use that time to read my bible and pray. It doesn't matter what the length of time is, what matters is that you do it, even if it's only 10 minutes a day. On weekends I'm more flexible with my time, but I try to get it in the first hour I'm awake, or I tend to not do it at all.
~ I also talk to God and pray throughout the day without stopping what I'm doing. It's basically a conversation in my head - but not talking to myself. It's directed at God. He hears it.
~ When I see a prayer request online, I stop and pray for it immediately before posting that I have prayed for them. That way I don't forget. Sometimes I also take a screenshot of it so that my husband and I can pray for it during our evening bible reading and prayer time. Either way, I will either like the post or if I'm screenshotting it I leave a comment letting the poster know that my husband and I will be praying for them.
Some scriptures about prayer:
I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. ~Psalm 17:6
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you ~Matthew 5:44
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ~Luke 6:27-37
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ~Romans 12:12
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ~Galatians 6:2
And 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 saints. ~Ephesians 6:18
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ~Philippians 4:6
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ~Colossians 4:2
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ~1 Timothy 2:1-4
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. ~James 5:16
