How do I pray for someone?
Someone asked you to pray for them, or someone you love is going through something hard. You want to pray, but you’re not sure what to say.
Praying for someone means bringing them to God and asking Him to work in their life. Scripture calls it intercession, standing in the gap for someone else (1 Timothy 2:1). And it works: “The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail” (James 5:16). You don’t need perfect words. Tell God who they are, what they need and what you hope for them, and keep asking.
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They held up his arms
When Israel fought the Amalekites, Moses stood on a hill with the staff of God raised in his hands. As long as his hands were up, Israel was winning; when he lowered them, they began to lose. When his arms grew too tired, Aaron and Hur sat him on a stone and held up his hands, one on each side, until sunset, and Israel won (Exodus 17:10–13). Sometimes the battle is won by the people praying on the hill.
What to pray
For their relationship with God: that they would know Him more (Ephesians 1:17–19). For their needs: healing, provision, protection, direction. For strength and peace in what they’re facing. For God’s will, even beyond what you can see.
How to do it
Pray by name, specifically. Pray Scripture over them. Ask them how to pray, and follow up later. Pray with them, out loud, if they’re comfortable. Keep a list so you don’t forget. And keep going; Jesus told us to keep asking (Luke 18:1).
Praying for someone who doesn’t know God
Ask God to open their eyes (2 Corinthians 4:4), to send believers into their life, and to give you a chance to share your story.
What the Bible says
- 01
Great power to prevail.
“Is any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.”
James 5:13–16 - 02
Intercession for everyone.
“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:1–4 - 03
Hands held up.
“Joshua did as Moses had instructed him and fought against the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed; but when he lowered them, Amalek prevailed. When Moses’ hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side, so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his army with the sword.”
Exodus 17:10–13 - 04
Paul’s prayer for others.
“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength,”
Ephesians 1:15–19 - 05
Pray for all the saints.
“Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 - 06
Always pray and not give up.
“Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:”
Luke 18:1
Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.
Text one person today: “I’m praying for you. Is there anything specific?” Then pray for them by name every day this week.
Common questions
Does it matter if I pray for someone?
Yes. God invites us into His work through prayer, and Scripture says it has real power.
What if I don’t know what they need?
The Holy Spirit helps us pray when we don’t know what to say (Romans 8:26).
Can I pray for someone who hurt me?
Yes, and Jesus asks us to (Matthew 5:44). It changes your heart too.
Pray with people, not alone.
Become’s prayer house walks you through prayer one step at a time, and the Watch is a prayer room that never closes. Start tonight.
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