1 Calhoun, A. (2015, Nov. 19). Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us. IVP.
Approved and verified accurate by the local outreach coordinator of the Office of Spiritual Life on Feb. 19, 2025
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Many of us are familiar with praying for others. When someone shares a burden or a challenge, a common response is, “I’ll be praying for you.” But the question is, do we truly follow through with that prayer? Do we take the time to pray for them intentionally, or does it become just another passing sentiment? And perhaps most importantly, do we feel equipped or confident in knowing how to pray for someone else effectively?
To genuinely intercede for others, we must first understand the spiritual practice of intercessory prayer — what it is, why it matters and how we can practice it. It’s more than just words; it’s a powerful way to stand in the gap for others and ask God to intervene on their behalf. Once we grasp the significance of this practice, we are better able to accept God’s invitation to pray for His people, knowing that our prayers have the potential to bring healing, peace and transformation.
Intercessory prayer consists of two parts. First, we have a prayer — a request for help or expression of thanks or worship addressed to God. Second, we have the intercessor — the person who intervenes on behalf of another. Put these together and you have intercessory prayer, simply praying for someone else.
Author Adele Calhoun says intercessory prayer invites us into God’s care and concern for us, our families and friends, and the world. She goes on to say it is not a means of manipulating Heaven into doing our will, but instead a way we become more aware of God’s prayer for a person.1
The more we pray for others, the more our heart posture will reflect the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:10, saying, “Your kingdom done, your will be done.”
In praying for others, it can be discouraging when we don’t directly see things changing or even when someone doesn’t know we are praying for them. While we can trust that God is listening and moving in the supernatural, you may wonder, What is the purpose of praying for others?
Here are a few reasons why we pray for others:
1. It moves us beyond ourselves. While we have a lot going on, it can be easy to stay in our bubble and only bring our personal worries, concerns and desires to God. Intercessory prayer serves as a reminder that it’s not all about us.
2. We are invited into it in Scripture. Ephesians 6:18 says, “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 Lord’s people,” (NLT). Intercessory prayer is not simply a spiritual practice, but a call to obedience.
3. It draws us into the mystery of Christ’s intercession. Romans 8:26 says that “the Spirit himself intercedes for us,” (NLT). Intercession is a form of prayer where we get to partner with the Holy Spirit in praying for His people.
Praying for others forms in us dependency on God’s mighty work, exposes us to his miraculous power, and keeps us tender to the movement of the Holy Spirit. It turns our concerns and worries into prayer and enters us into God’s heart for the world.
While this is a simple spiritual practice you can do anytime and anywhere, it can be challenging to know where to begin. You may be wondering, Who do I pray for? How often? What do I pray? There is no “right” way, but I encourage you to find a regular rhythm of praying for others in a way that works for you. Here are some ideas:
Intercessory prayer is a powerful spiritual practice that goes beyond a casual promise to pray for someone. It requires intentionality and a willingness to step into God's heart for others. As we learn to pray for those around us, we become more attuned to God’s will and His miraculous work in our lives and the lives of those we lift up in prayer. Through intercession, we not only support others in their struggles but also grow in our dependence on God and our partnership with the Holy Spirit. Let us embrace this calling, seeking to pray faithfully, deeply and often, knowing that God is listening and at work.
If you desire to learn more about praying for others or explore spiritual practices, consider adding GCU’s Spiritual Formation and Discipleship minor to your degree or attending Spiritual Formation workshops.
