Praying for others may seem straightforward, but there are numerous ways to approach and understand its power. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that intercessory prayer “consists in asking on behalf of another” (CCC 2647). What kind of power does this prayer hold?
- Where Have We Seen Intercessory Prayer Before?
- Where to Start
- Preparing to Pray
- Practices of Intercessory Prayer
- Take Action
- Additional Resources
Where Have We Seen Intercessory Prayer Before?
“Intercession is like a ‘leaven’ in the heart of the Trinity. It is a way of penetrating the Father’s heart and discovering new dimensions which can shed light on concrete situations and change them.” — Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium
What is the definition of intercession? Intercession is the act of prayer, petition, or entreaty on behalf of another.
When we as Catholics practice intercessory prayer, we imitate our Lord.
While on Earth, Jesus prayed for others, and did you know that he continues to be an advocate for us in heaven? As the Apostle Paul in Hebrews 7:25 tells us, “[Jesus] is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
Not only does Jesus intercede for us, but he also responds to our prayers for others. In Luke Chapter 5, we see what happens when people bring the needs of their friends to Jesus.
The crowds are beginning to follow Jesus because they hear of his healings. Several men carry their paralytic friend up to be healed by Jesus, but they can’t reach him through the crowds. Unwilling to be stopped, they decide to lower their friend down through the tiles on the roof. What happens next tells us something incredibly important about the power of intercessory prayer: “And when [Jesus] saw their faith he said, ‘Man, your sins are forgiven’” (Lk 5:20). Notice how Jesus forgives the man because of the faith of his friends.
When we love and intercede for each other, the Father delights; it opens his heart and moves him to respond.
Where to Start
Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, intercessory prayer has played a vital role in the work of saving souls. As Catholics, we ought to spend time every day talking to God about people and spend the rest of the day talking to people about God.
Let’s look at a few key truths about prayer and try to build this habit in our lives.
Preparing to Pray
As you consider praying for others, here are some things to keep in mind as you prepare to pray:
- God truly hears our prayers: Don’t underestimate how vital and powerful your prayers can be.
- This is God’s work: The Holy Spirit is the principal agent of evangelization. When we intercede for others, we allow him to do the heavy lifting in our work of bringing souls closer to Christ.
- Have confidence in God: Our reliance on God in prayer allows us to place situations and people in his hands.
- Be humble: We don’t come to God with our list of expectations, which he must then fulfill. Interceding for others should lead us to be less self-centered as we consider the needs of others.
- Pray specifically. Pray boldly: Share your heart honestly with God. Often, we ask for too little, not too much!
Practices of Intercessory Prayer
As a Catholic, intercessory prayer can take many different forms. Each time you go to Mass, you can offer it for a particular person or intention. You might consider gathering a group of people together and praying out loud for the needs of others. You could even make little sacrifices, as prayers for people’s needs. Here are a few practical ideas to consider:
- Write down people’s names and pray for their needs daily.
- Imagine the people you want to pray for or place their pictures somewhere near where you pray. Seeing their faces can motivate you.
- Pray with others in person. Get their permission first, ask them what they need prayers for, and then pray out loud for their needs. Instead of just saying “I’ll pray for you,” they get to hear your prayer right away in that moment.
- Pray at specific locations. By praying in specific places, you ask for God’s blessing upon all who enter there.
- Pray as you plan. Our work should be God’s work, first and foremost. Therefore, whenever we begin a task, we should ask for God’s guidance and blessing on all we are about to do.
- Consider offering up a fast or penance alongside your prayer for others.
Take Action
One simple way to get started praying for others is to write down some names and start praying! Pray in a group, alone, with your family – start now.
A great way to put intercessory prayer into action as a Catholic is to offer a rosary on behalf of someone–join the entire FOCUS community every month online in praying the rosary. Sign up via this link.
Additional Resources
Looking for some dynamic Catholic resources? Download our comprehensive PDF guide to intercessory prayer, complete with examples, guided Lectio Divina, and further resources.
For a personal story on the impact of intercessory prayer, read FOCUS employee Lisa Lopes’ article, What St. Thérèse is Teaching Me About Intercessory Prayer, and Therese Bussen’s article, The Saint that Proves Praying for People Actually Works on FOCUS Equip.
To continue to grow your prayer life, check out Jeff Cavin’s talk from SEEK on praying and hearing God’s voice in Scripture or learn from Jeremy Cassidy on how to teach others to pray Lectio Divina from his talk at SEEK.
For even more great Catholic resources, you can check out our podcast with talks from our SEEK conference and our YouTube channel for videos, and more!
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