What Does The Bible Say About Praying For Others?

Answer: Karen, thank you for the question and absolutely!

The Bible actually encourages us to pray and request prayers from each other.

Pray For Others

The Bible instructs us to pray for all Saints.

Let’s read about it, turn your Bible with me to,

Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

When we think about it, our Christian brothers and sisters are all a part of God’s Household, (Ephesians 2:19). So God wants a healthy family; physically, mentally, and spiritually. We can all help contribute to that by praying for one another and lifting each other up.

Asking For Prayer

There is nothing wrong with asking for prayer either. Let’s take a look at some Scriptures that will help us with that.

2 Thessalonians 5:25 simply tells us,

Brethren, pray for us.

Jesus asked us to pray for Christian leaders.

Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

Luke 10:2

Paul requested we struggle with him in our prayers for him.

Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.

Romans 15:30

We are reminded, when we pray for others, we are helping them.

Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

2 Corinthians 1:11

James tells us,

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.

James 5:16

We could document many other verses, but I think you get the point.

Remember, we make up the body of Christ, (Romans 12:5). So we are to build each other up and ‘pray for each other’. Sometimes we need prayers for health, while others may need prayer for a difficult life decision. Never be afraid to be that person to pray with and for someone.

Bear Each Others Burdens

Turn your Bible with me to,

Galatians 6:2
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

We are to ‘bear the burdens of each other’ as we are a part of the same spiritual family. We can do that through prayer, or other support depending on the situation.

Now what law of Christ will this fulfill?

John 13:34
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

In Galatians 5:14, Jesus said following this one law means we follow “all the law”. He can easily make this statement. If we love our fellow Christian brothers and sisters, not to mention our fellow man as ourselves, we would essentially follow all the Biblical Laws.

Naturally we pray for our own health and family right?

Of course, so then we should extend those prayers to those who need them on their behalf. This is called “intercessory prayer”.

As an example, each evening at dinner time, one person from our family says the prayer, and we always pray for others, including readers like you.

Intercessory Prayer

1 Timothy 2:1
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.

We are to pray for those around us. That means we are intervening for them on their behalf.

When we pray for ourselves and others, we are letting our “requests be made known unto God,” (Philippians 4:6). While God knows our heart and understands “what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him,” (Matthew 6:8). He wants us to do our part, He wants us to take action, (Isaiah 43:26).

Just remember, when we pray, we should ask for our Father’s Will to be done, and always pray in the name of Jesus Christ, (1 John 5:14, John 14:13, Colossians 3:17). Outside of that, there is no right or wrong way to pray. You are simply having a conversation with our Heavenly Father.