Prayer of Intercession
What is intercession? Why and how should we intercede for our brothers and sisters, for the world? How do our prayers matter for others?
Intercessory prayer is prayer offered on behalf of others. , praying for others is equally vital. Our prayers are powerful, able to obtain graces for those in need, and interceding for others shifts our focus from ourselves, deepening our sense of communion.
In the Gospels, Jesus—our greatest intercessor with the Father—shows us the way.
Why Intercessory Prayer?
"You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." (John 14:14, NIV)
Because Jesus Himself intercedes for us!
Jesus was sent by the Father to save us; He is our primary intercessor. When Christians pray, they pray in Christ’s name: "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (John 14:13, NIV)
He carries every prayer we offer and presents them to the Father, who denies Him nothing. As Paul reminds the Romans:
"Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." (Romans 8:34, NIV)
This truth inspired Padre Pio’s , echoing Christ’s threefold promise of intercession.
"Love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:31, NIV)
Because Jesus commands it.
Jesus gives us a new commandment: "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34, NIV)
Jesus loved us: attentive to our needs, compassionate in our suffering, rejoicing in our joy, bearing our crosses. He prayed—and prays—for us.
By interceding for others—the suffering, the world—we answer Christ’s call to unity. We remember we are one body in Him: when one member hurts, the whole body feels it.
Examples of Intercessory Prayers
Intercessory prayers can be communal (e.g., ) or personal, lifting a specific person or to God.
Intercessory Prayer for a Sick or Struggling Loved One
*“Today, Lord, I pray not for myself but for one facing greater trials.
In Your goodness, come to their aid; let Your Light fill their home with hope; let Your Presence strengthen them to bear their cross courageously, as You bore Yours.
If they need leverage to lift their burden, let my shoulder be their support.
If they need a word of joy, place it on my lips.
If they seek a heart spacious enough to hold their sorrow, expand my love to heaven’s dimensions.
Lord, I pray for my suffering friend.
If You cannot lift their hardship, let Your Strength sustain them.
Teach them all things work for redemption, and even trials are a royal road leading to Your Light and Peace.
But did You not heal the paralytic, restore sight to the blind, and cleanse the leper for a fragment of faith?
So I join my faith to my brother’s, that You might move mountains again and reveal Your Glory in their body and soul.
Hear this humble prayer, Lord, and answer as You will—for You alone know true good.
May we soon reunite in joy to proclaim Your wonders and bless Your holy Name.
Amen.”*
—Abbé Hilaire Léonard-Etienne
Other Intercessory Prayers
Intercession lifts both global needs and personal concerns to God. Pray for:
The world: for peace, nations facing disaster, famine, war; ecological, humanitarian, and social challenges.
The Church: Christian unity, persecuted believers, priests.
Families, youth.
The sick, unemployed, and those in your circle facing trials, doubts, or projects.
Requesting Intercession
Just as we pray for others, we can ask fellow believers to include us in their prayers. As Jesus promised:
"If two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew 18:19–20, NIV)
(On Hozana, . Our community will pray for you for 48 hours.)
Catholics also seek the saints’ intercession—such as , , , , and especially .
With Hozana, Pray for One Another!
Hozana, a Christian prayer network, enables you to pray with others and for others. Join prayer communities focused on specific intentions:
...and many more.
Create your own community or submit a request for others to intercede for you.
Request intercession from saints or Mary through novenas:
