Intercessory Prayer

This page just lists the basics of what the new testament has to say on prayer and praying for others. What amazed me as I went through it was the difference between what we as Christians in America feel is important for prayer and what God says we should focus on in prayer. My experience is that most of our prayer requests are for physical needs. Scripture indicates to pray for these things, but there are many, many more references relating to praying for spiritual matters.

Eventually, I would like to study each of these verses more in depth. But, this start blessed my heart and challenged me in my intercessory prayer!

1) Def. - talking with God! When I think that the God of the universe wants to communicate with me and longs for my fellowship, I am amazed and humbled! What an awesome thought!

2) General

a) sin hinders prayer 1Peter 3:7, 12

b) watch unto prayer 1 Peter 4:7

c) according to His will 1John 5:14, 15

d) pray in Holy Ghost, He interprets for us Romans 8:26; Jude 1:20

e) precious to God, glorifies God 2Corinthians 9:13-14; Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4

f) pray everywhere - without ceasing 2Timothy 2:8; 1Thessalonians 5:17; 2Ti 1:3; Philemon 1:4; Romans 12:12; Acts 2:42; Luke 18:1-8; all night if need be Luke 6:12

g) pray with thanksgiving, joy Philippians 1:4; 4:6

h) pray/praise during hard times Acts 16:25

i) pray with fasting Acts 10:30; 13:3; 14:23

j) prayer is a normal part of the Christian walk Acts 2:42

k) pray in order to be prepared for what may come Mark 13:33

l) pray to have power over temptation Luke 21:34-36; 22:40, 46; Mark 14:38; Matthew 26:41

m) pray believing Luke 18:1-8; Mark 11:24; Matthew 21:22

n) pray humbly Luke 18:9-14

o) pray alone Matthew 6:6; Luke 9:18; 5:16; 6:12

p) pray with fellow believers Matthew 18:20; Acts 12:12

3) Pray for:

a) Physical

i) healing James 5:13-16; Acts 9:40; 28:8; Mark 5:24

ii) consequences James 5:14 - 18; 2Corinthians 5:20

iii) daily needs 1Timothy 5:5

iv) lifting of burdens/cares Hebrews 5:7; 1Peter 5:7; Philippians 1:19; 4:16; 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

v) before a parting Acts 21:5; 20:35-38

vi) faith fail not Luke 22:32

vii) for your enemies Luke 6:28; Matthew 5:44

b) Spiritual

i) General

(1) fellowship in the gospel Philippians 1:5

(2) perseverence and supplication for saints Ephesians 6:18

(3) thanksgiving for others’ faith Ephesians 1:16

(4) fellowship to encourage Romans 1:9-12

(5) peace Jeremiah 29:7

(6) for your enemies Luke 6:28; Matthew 5:44

ii) Bondage

(1) release from sin Acts 8:22-24; 1John 5:16

(2) release from bondage Philemon 1:22; Acts 12:5, 12

(3) forgiveness for others 2Timothy 4:16; Mark 11:25

(4) boldness in the face of persecution Acts 4:29

iii) Salvation Psalm 2:8; Romans 10:1

iv) Growth

(1) victorious life Acts 8:15; 2Corinthians 13:7; 8:4

(2) Colossians 1:3-17

(a) filled with knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding

(b) walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing

(c) be fruitful in every good work

(d) increasing in the knowledge of God

(e) strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power

(f) patient and longsuffering with joyfulness

(g) thankful to our Father - our amazing, awesome Father!

(3) perfect and complete in the will of God Colossians 4:12

(4) perfect that which is lacking in faith 1 Thessalonians 3:10

(5) whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thessalonians 5:23

(6) 2Thessalonians 1:11

(a) be counted worthy of calling

(b) fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness

(c) fulfill work of faith in power

(d) name of Jesus be glorified in them and them in Him

(7) good conscience/willing to live honestly Hebrews 13:18

(8) love abound in knowledge and judgement Philippians 1:9

v) Mission Work

(1) missionaries Matthew 9:37-38; Acts 6:1-6; Acts 1:24-26

(2) opportunity/boldness to witness - Colossians 4:2-3; Ephesians 6:19-20; Romans 15:30-31; Acts 4:31

(3) Word of God have free course and be glorified 2 Thessalonians 3:1

(4) God to be manifest through wondrous works Acts 4:30

(5) workers Luke 10:2

vi) Authorities

(1) for God’s direction in choosing a man of God Acts 1:24; 6:4-6

(2) all men, kings, all in authority - 1Timothy 2:1-4

(a) commanded - supplications, prayers, intercessions, giving of thanks

(b) reason

(i) lead a quiet and peacable life in all godliness and holiness

(ii) it is good and acceptable to God

(iii) God would have all men to be saved/come to the knowledge of the truth

4) Christ’s High Priestly Prayer

a) He wanted God to be glorified John 17:1

b) Christ had glorified God on earth and finished the work that He had been given to do. John 17:4

c) He prayed for the disciples John 17:9

i) that they be one John 17:11 (unity)

ii) that they may have joy fulfilled in themselves John 17:13

iii) that they are kept from evil, not that they are taken out of the world John 17:15

iv) that they would be sanctified in truth (His Word) John 17:17

d) He prayed for those who believe on Him through the disciples witness John 17:21

i) that they may be one John 17:21

ii) that the world may believe John 17:21

iii) that the world may know God’s love John 17:23

iv) that His love would be in them John 17:26

v) that He would be in them John 17:26

5) Lord’s Prayer - Luke 11; Matthew 6

6) Other references of praying for others

a) 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4

b) 1 Thessalonians 5:17

c) 1 Thessalonians 5:25

d) 2 Corinthians 9:14