Praying for others
How to pray for others, with examples from Scripture
· Updated · 3 min read
How to pray for others, one name at a time. What to pray, examples from the Bible, how to pray for people you don't know well, and how to let them know.
To pray for others, start with a name and one need, then ask God for that need in your own words. You don’t need special language. Praying for others, sometimes called intercession, means bringing another person’s needs to God the way you would bring your own.
How do you pray for others?
Praying for others means bringing a person’s name and needs to God. Thank God for them, ask for one specific thing, like healing, wisdom, or that they would know Jesus, and use Scripture’s own prayers when you run out of words. Keep a short list so you remember people, and when it fits, let them know you prayed.
Pray what Scripture prays
The Bible gives us words to pray for other people. Paul’s letters and Jesus’ own prayers show what to ask for:
- That they would know God’s will and grow in knowing Him (Colossians 1:9-10)
- That they would know how wide and deep the love of Christ is (Ephesians 3:16-19)
- For leaders and everyone in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
- For people who are sick (James 5:14-16)
- For people who wrong us (Matthew 5:44)
Jesus prayed for His disciples by name. He told Peter, “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:32, ESV). For more passages, see these Bible verses about praying for others.
Be specific
A specific prayer for someone tells you what to watch for. “Bless Sam” is a start. “Give Sam wisdom in his interviews this week, and peace while he waits” names the need. When something changes, you’ll notice, and you can thank God for it.
A specific prayer, the person’s name, and a verse on one card.
Pray for people you don’t know well
Praying for a coworker or a neighbor doesn’t require knowing their whole story. Pray that they would know God, for their health, and for their family. If you get the chance, ask them how you can pray.
How do you pray for others in specific situations?
Praying for others looks different depending on what they’re facing. Each of these has its own guide:
- Someone who is sick: healing, the doctors, and the people caring for them. See how to pray for someone who is sick.
- Someone who is grieving: comfort, now and on the hard days months later. See how to pray for someone who lost a loved one.
- Someone who doesn’t know Jesus: that God would draw them to Himself. See how to pray for someone’s salvation.
- Your family: each person by name, one need at a time. See how to pray for your family.
- Your church: leaders, members, and its mission. See how to pray for your church.
- Your friends: what to ask God for and what to tell them. See praying for friends.
- Someone who hurt you: the hardest prayer, and where forgiveness starts. See how to pray for someone who hurt you.
Praying for others goes alongside bringing your own needs to God. See how to pray for yourself, and for the bigger picture, what intercessory prayer is.
Keep a short list
A short prayer list is how you keep praying for people after the first time. You can’t pray for everyone every day, and you don’t have to. Let some names come up daily and others once a week. See how to make a prayer list.
Let them know
Telling someone you prayed for them can encourage them. A short text is enough: “Hi Ben, I prayed for you today.” It often opens a conversation about how they’re really doing.
For what to pray for a friend and what to say when you tell them, see praying for friends.
Pray for others in The Pray App
The Pray App puts each person’s name on the prayer card you pray for them. In a card, tap Praying for under Details and pick people from your contacts. Their names show on the card while you pray.
When you finish, the summary lists the people you prayed for. Tap the message button next to a name, and Messages opens with “Hi Ben, I prayed for you today.” ready for you to edit or send.
After you pray, let people know with one tap.
Later, Journey shows everyone under People You’ve Brought Before God, with how often you’ve prayed for each.
The Pray App is free on the App Store. See how to tag people and text them.
Questions people ask
What is praying for others called?
Praying for others is often called intercession, or intercessory prayer. It means bringing someone else's needs to God.
What should I say when I pray for someone?
Say their name, thank God for them, and ask for one specific thing, such as healing, wisdom, or that they would know God. You don't need special words.
How do I pray for someone I don't know well?
Pray that they would know God, for their health and family, and for any need you've heard about. If you get the chance, ask them how you can pray.
Should I tell someone I prayed for them?
Yes, if it's appropriate. A short text that says you prayed for them can encourage them and open a conversation.
Related guides
- How to pray for your children, with prayers and ScriptureHow to pray for your children by name, what to ask God for, prayers for your son and daughter, their salvation, and grandchildren, with Scripture to pray.
- How to pray for your husband, from head to toeHow to pray for your husband with Scripture, a head-to-toe prayer guide, prayers for when he's struggling, and prayers for your marriage.
- How to pray for your wife, in every seasonHow to pray for your wife with Scripture, what to pray for each part of her life, prayers for difficult times and her birthday, and prayers for your marriage.
- Prayer for teenagers, with Scripture for every needHow to pray for teenagers, what to ask God for, prayers for a teen with anxiety, Scripture to pray over them, and how parents and youth leaders can pray.