Prayers
15 Intercession Prayers In The Bible
Published: July 7, 2024
Discover 15 powerful intercession prayers in the Bible that can inspire and guide your spiritual journey. Learn how these prayers can impact your life.
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Intercession prayers hold a special place in Christianity, acting as bridges between believers and God. These prayers are powerful tools, allowing individuals to seek divine intervention for others. Throughout the Bible, numerous examples highlight the importance and impact of intercessory prayer. From Moses pleading for the Israelites to Jesus praying for his disciples, these moments showcase the deep compassion and faith of those who intercede. Understanding these prayers can inspire and guide modern believers in their spiritual journeys, emphasizing the significance of praying for one another in times of need. Dive into these biblical examples to enrich your prayer life.
1. Abraham's Plea for Sodom
"Then Abraham approached him and said: 'Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?'" – Genesis 18:23-25
Read more: 15 Closing Prayers For Bible Study
2. Moses' Intercession for Israel
"But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God. 'Lord,' he said, 'why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, "It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth"? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people.'" – Exodus 32:11-12
3. Samuel's Prayer for Israel
"Then Samuel said, 'Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the Lord for you.' When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, 'We have sinned against the Lord.' Now Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah." – 1 Samuel 7:5-6
4. Solomon's Temple Dedication Prayer
"May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, 'My Name shall be there,' so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive." – 1 Kings 8:29-30
5. Elijah's Prayer on Mount Carmel
"At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: 'Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.'" – 1 Kings 18:36-37
Read more: 15 Most Powerful Prayers in the Bible
6. Hezekiah's Prayer for Deliverance
"And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: 'Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God.'" – 2 Kings 19:15-16
7. Nehemiah's Prayer for Jerusalem
"Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you." – Nehemiah 1:5-6
8. Daniel's Prayer for His People
"So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: 'Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.'" – Daniel 9:3-5
9. Jesus' Prayer for His Disciples
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me." – John 17:20-21
Read more: 15 Opening Prayers For Bible Study
10. Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians
"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." – Ephesians 3:14-18
11. Paul's Prayer for the Philippians
"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God." – Philippians 1:9-11
12. Paul's Prayer for the Colossians
"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God." – Colossians 1:9-10
13. Paul's Prayer for the Thessalonians
"May our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones." – 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
Read more: 15 Prayers Before Reading The Bible
14. Stephen's Prayer for His Persecutors
"While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' Then he fell on his knees and cried out, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' When he had said this, he fell asleep." – Acts 7:59-60
15. Job's Prayer for His Friends
"After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring." – Job 42:10-11
The Power of Intercession
Intercession prayers in the Bible show the strength of faith and the power of prayer. From Abraham's plea for Sodom to Jesus' prayer for His disciples, these prayers highlight the importance of standing in the gap for others. They remind us that God listens when we pray for others, and that our prayers can make a significant impact. Whether it's Moses interceding for the Israelites or Paul's prayers for the early churches, these examples encourage us to pray earnestly and selflessly. Intercession isn't just about asking for help; it's about connecting with God on behalf of others, showing compassion and love. So, next time you pray, remember the power of intercession and how it can bring about change and blessings. Keep praying, keep believing, and keep interceding for those in need.