23 Best Bible Verses About Praying for Other People

According to the Bible, it's important for us to pray for others. God wants us to be in harmony with the people on earth. God wants us to approach people with love and kindness. Love is the most important thing to God. According to 1 John 4:7 (NIV):

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

When you go forth in a Christ-led life, you will find that love and compassion naturally flow forth from you. You will naturally have empathy for the pains of others. You will use the power of prayer to intercede for the plight of others.

Why Should We Pray For Others

Praying for others is an essential part of the Christian life. As the body of Christ, we are commanded to carry each other's burdens. Everyone should feel sadness for the plight of another. Praying for others is called intercessory prayer. It helps us strengthen our bond with the other person, and draws us closer to Jesus Christ.

What the Bible Says About Praying For Others

The Bible is filled with verses about why you should pray for others. God answers prayers. That's in His nature. May you enjoy these encouraging Bible verses about prayers.

1. James 2:18 KJV

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

2. James 5:13-16 KJV

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 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.

3. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 KJV

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

4. 1 John 3:18 KJV

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

5. 1 John 5:16 KJV

If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

6. 3 John 1:2 KJV

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

7. Psalms 18:6 KJV

In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

8. Hebrews 4:16 KJV

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

9. Hebrews 5:7 KJV

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

10. Hebrews 10:24-25 KJV

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

11. Acts 2:38 KJV

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

12. Philippians 1:3-6 KJV

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

13. Philippians 1:9-11 KJV

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

14. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 KJV

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

15. Romans 8:26-27 KJV

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

16. Romans 8:34 KJV

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

17. Colossians 1:9-12 KJV

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

18. Luke 6:28 KJV

Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

19. Galatians 6:2 KJV

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

20. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

21. Matthew 6:9-13 KJV

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

22. Genesis 18:22-25 KJV

And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord. And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

23. 1 Samuel 12:19 KJV

And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.

Final Words

Praying for others is important for living in unity with other Christians. We are made to bear one another's burdens. We are commanded to pray for our brothers and sisters. The power of prayer is that God answers every prayer. Even though it might not be the answer we want to hear at the moment, we are still able to live in gladness. Your fervent prayers are heard in good times and hard times. Start trusting God with all of your burdens. Confess your sins to Him. Watch God answer prayers. You will be amazed by how He moves in your life.