Intercessory prayer - or praying for or on behalf of others- is one of the greatest privileges of our Christian faith. In this episode, we're making a case for praying for others by diving into a bible study on Jesus' words on prayer throughout the gospels.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Praying For The Ones Who Bother You: Matthew 5:44
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’[q] and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies![r] Pray for those who persecute you!45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. 

Praying for Loved Ones: Matthew 6:9-13

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
    but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’

Jesus' Prayer for His Disciples: John 17:20-23
NIV Version -
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 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. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

NLT Version - 
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Prayer for others may be most effective in a different direction than my natural inclination.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?

4 Steps to Pray for Others:

Pray Confidently
Pray Specifically
Pray Gratefully
Pray for Unity/Glory/Sovereignty

Andrew Murray: "Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one’s weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart."

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