This list gives you Bible verses that encourage you to pray for other people, whether a friend in the hospital, a coworker under pressure, or a family member who has drifted from faith. Each verse points to the same truth: intercession is a real act of love, and God hears those who bring others before him. The passages below are arranged by moment, so you can find the right words for the day in front of you.
Verses for Lifting a Friend Who Is Struggling
Some of the most natural prayers we pray are for people who are hurting right now. These verses remind you that asking God for another person’s good is both welcome and powerful, and that God cares about those you are carrying to him.
James 5:16
Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.
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James links prayer for one another with healing and with a righteous life. Write the name of one struggling friend on a card and pray for them by name before you go to sleep tonight, letting the verse set the tone of your prayer.
Philippians 1:3-4
3 I thank my God whenever I remember you, 4 always in every request of mine on behalf of you all, making my requests with joy…
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Paul prays for the Philippians with joy, not with dread. Try praying for a friend with thankfulness first, naming something you appreciate about them before you ask God for anything on their behalf.
Galatians 6:2
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
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This verse describes bearing one another’s burdens as a practical calling. When a friend’s load feels too heavy for you to lift, pray that God would carry it with them and then send a short message to let them know you are praying.
Verses for Praying Over Your Family
Home is where prayer for others often becomes most personal. The verses here speak to spouses, children, parents and siblings, and they encourage you to ask God to work in the lives of the people you live with and love most.
Ephesians 1:16-17
16 Don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him…
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Paul prays that the Ephesians would grow in wisdom and in knowing God more deeply. Use this as a pattern when you pray for your children, asking that they would know God for themselves and not only through your example.
1 Thessalonians 5:25
Brothers, pray for us.
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Paul asks his readers to pray for him, showing that even the most faithful leaders need prayer. Ask the people in your household what they would like you to pray for, and let their answers shape your prayers this week.
Psalm 122:6-7
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper. 7 Peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces.
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This psalm calls for prayer for the peace of a city and its people. Think of the street, the building or the community where your household lives, and pray for peace in those specific places during your evening walk.
Colossians 1:9
For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding…
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Paul prays that the Colossians would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will. When you are unsure how to pray for a family member, use this verse to ask God to guide their decisions with wisdom and understanding.
Verses for Praying for Those Who Have Hurt You
Praying for others becomes harder when the person has wronged you. Jesus and his apostles were clear that intercession is part of love even toward enemies and difficult people, and the verses below show how to start.
Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you…
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Jesus tells his listeners to pray for those who persecute them. Begin small by praying one honest sentence for the person who has hurt you, even if your heart is not yet ready to ask for their blessing.
Luke 23:34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots.
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From the cross, Jesus prays for those who crucified him. When you feel unable to pray for someone, borrow his words and ask God to forgive them, trusting that God can soften what you cannot soften on your own.
Acts 7:60
He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
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As he died, Stephen prayed that his killers would not be held to account for their sin. Consider whether there is a person you need to release to God in prayer today, asking God to deal with the matter justly and to bring them to repentance.
Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse.
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Paul urges believers to bless those who persecute them and not to curse them. Take a moment to speak a blessing over the person in your prayers, even if it is simply asking God to do good in their life.
Verses for Praying for Leaders and Those in Authority
Christians are asked to pray for governments, employers, church leaders and those who carry heavy responsibilities. These verses show why such prayer matters and how it shapes the lives of the wider community.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
1 I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men: 2 for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.
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Paul asks that prayers and thanksgivings be offered for all people, especially those in authority. Choose one leader you know or one office holder whose decisions affect you, and pray for them by name this week.
Jeremiah 29:7
Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.”
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God tells the exiles to seek the welfare of the city where they live and to pray for it. Pray for your town or city today, asking God to bring good to its people and its leaders.
Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.
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The writer asks the readers to pray for him and his ministry. Pick a pastor, teacher or missionary you know and send them a note assuring them that you are praying for their work.
Proverbs 21:1
The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
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This proverb pictures the king’s heart in God’s hand, turned wherever he wishes. Pray that the hearts of those who make decisions for others would be guided by God’s wisdom and justice.
How to Use These Verses
Keep a simple prayer journal or a note on your phone where you write the names of people you are praying for, along with the verse that came to mind. Revisit the list each week and mark any answers or changes you notice. This habit turns scattered requests into a steady practice.
Pray the verses aloud rather than only reading them silently. Replace the pronouns with the person’s name, so that a verse like Galatians 6:2 becomes a specific request for your friend. Praying Scripture this way keeps your intercession anchored in God’s own words.
A Short Prayer for Praying for Others
Father, you hear the prayers we offer for people we love and for people who are hard to love. Teach me to see the needs around me and to bring them to you without hurry or pride. Give me a heart that wants good for others as much as I want it for myself. Help me remember the names on my list and the burdens they carry, and let my words be a small help in their lives. Thank you that you welcome our prayers and act on them according to your wisdom. Amen.
A Blessing
May the Lord who hears every prayer bring peace to the people you carry before him. May his grace go ahead of them into each hard day, and may your own heart be kept steady as you keep watch in prayer. Go in the strength that comes from the one who intercedes for us.
