Intercessory prayer is our sacred privilege to stand in the gap for others before God’s throne. These 35 scriptural prayers cover every area of intercession – from family and leaders to nations and spiritual warfare.
Powerful Short Intercessory Prayer Scriptures
Each prayer is rooted in specific Bible verses that authorize and empower our petitions as we pray God’s Word back to Him.
1. Intercessory Prayer for Family
Heavenly Father, I lift my family before You today. Protect them from harm and draw them closer to You. Strengthen our bonds of love and unity. Meet every physical, emotional and spiritual need according to Your riches in glory. Let Your peace rule in our home and Your love guide our relationships.
Joshua 24:15
“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” I declare this over my family today. Amen.
2. Intercessory Prayer for Friends
Lord Jesus, I intercede for my friends today. Bless them with Your presence and provision. Heal their wounds and strengthen their faith. Open doors of opportunity and surround them with godly counsel. Use me to reflect Your love in their lives when they need encouragement.
James 5:16
“Pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” I stand in faith for my friends. Amen.
3. Intercessory Prayer for Church Leaders
Father, I pray for my pastors and church leaders today. Anoint them with wisdom and discernment. Protect them from burnout and spiritual attacks. Strengthen their families and give them fresh vision. Multiply their effectiveness as they shepherd Your flock.
Hebrews 13:17
“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you.” Bless those who watch over us. Amen.
4. Intercessory Prayer for Government
Almighty God, I pray for our government leaders today. Grant them wisdom to govern justly. Surround them with godly counselors. Convict them of truth and righteousness. Guide their decisions to protect the vulnerable and promote peace in our land.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
“I urge that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority.” I intercede for our leaders today. Amen.
5. Intercessory Prayer for Nations
Lord of nations, I pray for the countries of the world today. Send revival and spiritual awakening. Heal divisions and establish peace. Provide for those suffering from poverty and disaster. Raise up godly leaders who will honor You in their governance.
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray… then I will hear from heaven.” Hear our prayers for nations. Amen.
6. Intercessory Prayer for the Sick
Great Physician, I lift up those who are sick today. Touch their bodies with Your healing power. Comfort them in pain and strengthen their faith. Guide doctors with wisdom and bless caregivers. Let Your healing virtue flow to every diseased area.
James 5:15
“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.” I believe for healing today. Amen.
7. Intercessory Prayer for the Hurting
Compassionate Father, I pray for those experiencing emotional pain today. Comfort the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds. Heal memories of trauma and abuse. Restore joy to those in depression. Let them feel Your loving presence in their deepest valleys.
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Draw near to the hurting today. Amen.
8. Intercessory Prayer for the Lost
Merciful God, I intercede for those who don’t know You today. Open their eyes to see Your truth. Send laborers across their path. Break spiritual blindness and soften hardened hearts. Use me to demonstrate Your love that they might be saved.
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise… He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish.” Draw the lost to salvation. Amen.
9. Intercessory Prayer for Persecuted Christians
Almighty God, I pray for persecuted believers today. Strengthen them to stand firm in faith. Protect them from violence and injustice. Provide for their families’ needs. Let their persecutors encounter Your love and be transformed.
Matthew 5:10
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Sustain Your persecuted church. Amen.
10. Intercessory Prayer for Children
Heavenly Father, I lift up children everywhere today. Protect them from harm and evil influences. Surround them with godly mentors and role models. Guide their steps into Your perfect will. Let them come to know You early in life.
Matthew 19:14
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Bless and protect children. Amen.
11. Intercessory Prayer for Marriages
Lord, I pray for marriages today. Strengthen the covenant bond between husbands and wives. Heal broken relationships and restore trust. Fill homes with Your love and peace. Protect marriages from destructive influences and temptations.
Mark 10:9
“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Protect and strengthen marriages. Amen.
12. Intercessory Prayer for Single Parents
Father God, I lift up single parents today. Provide for their practical needs. Give them wisdom and strength for parenting alone. Surround them with supportive community. Be their constant helper and comforter in every challenge.
Psalm 68:5
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” Be everything single parents need. Amen.
13. Intercessory Prayer for the Elderly
Lord, I pray for senior adults today. Comfort those who feel lonely or forgotten. Provide for their physical and financial needs. Protect them from abuse and neglect. Use their wisdom to bless younger generations.
Isaiah 46:4
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he who will sustain you.” Sustain our elderly today. Amen.
14. Intercessory Prayer for the Homeless
Compassionate God, I pray for the homeless today. Provide shelter and basic necessities. Lead them to helpful resources and caring people. Heal the wounds that contributed to their situation. Help us as Your people to show practical compassion.
Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord.” Move us to help the homeless. Amen.
15. Intercessory Prayer for Addicts
Deliverer God, I pray for those bound by addiction today. Break the chains of substance abuse and destructive habits. Lead them to effective treatment and support. Surround them with godly influences. Fill the void in their lives with Your presence.
John 8:36
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Set addicts free today. Amen.
16. Intercessory Prayer for Teachers
Lord, I pray for educators today. Give them wisdom, patience and creativity. Protect them from burnout and discouragement. Bless their efforts to shape young minds. Use them to impart both knowledge and godly values.
Proverbs 9:9
“Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.” Bless our teachers today. Amen.
17. Intercessory Prayer for First Responders
Almighty God, I pray for police, firefighters and EMTs today. Protect them in dangerous situations. Strengthen them physically and emotionally. Comfort their families who worry about them. Use them to preserve life and maintain order.
Romans 13:4
“They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” Protect our first responders. Amen.
18. Intercessory Prayer for Military
Lord of hosts, I pray for our military personnel today. Protect them in combat zones. Comfort their families during deployments. Heal those wounded in body or mind. Give leaders wisdom in making strategic decisions.
Psalm 144:1
“Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” Protect our soldiers. Amen.
19. Intercessory Prayer for Missionaries
Father, I pray for missionaries worldwide today. Protect them from persecution and danger. Provide for their practical needs. Anoint their ministry with fruitfulness. Strengthen their families in challenging environments.
Matthew 9:38
“Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Bless and protect missionaries. Amen.
20. Intercessory Prayer for Pastors
Good Shepherd, I pray for pastors today. Refresh them spiritually and physically. Protect their marriages and families. Give them divine wisdom for shepherding Your flock. Anoint their preaching to transform lives.
1 Peter 5:2-4
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care.” Strengthen our pastors today. Amen.
21. Intercessory Prayer for the Unemployed
Provider God, I pray for those seeking work today. Open doors of employment that match their skills. Sustain them financially while they wait. Protect them from discouragement. Lead them to meaningful vocations.
Philippians 4:19
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Provide jobs today. Amen.
22. Intercessory Prayer for Business Owners
Lord, I pray for Christian business owners today. Give them wisdom for decision-making. Bless their ventures with ethical success. Help them be lights in the marketplace. Provide for their employees through their businesses.
Deuteronomy 8:18
“But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” Bless godly businesses. Amen.
23. Intercessory Prayer for Healthcare Workers
Great Physician, I pray for doctors, nurses and medical staff today. Give them skill, compassion and endurance. Protect them from burnout and illness. Use them as instruments of Your healing power.
Exodus 15:26
“I am the Lord who heals you.” Anoint healthcare workers today. Amen.
24. Intercessory Prayer for Mental Health
Prince of Peace, I pray for those struggling mentally today. Bring healing to anxious and depressed minds. Guide them to effective help and treatment. Break spiritual oppression affecting mental wellness. Surround them with supportive community.
Philippians 4:7
“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds.” Bring mental wholeness. Amen.
25. Intercessory Prayer for the Disabled
Compassionate God, I pray for those with disabilities today. Provide the assistance and accommodations they need. Protect them from discrimination and neglect. Use their lives to teach us patience and unconditional love.
2 Corinthians 12:9
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Strengthen the disabled today. Amen.
26. Intercessory Prayer for Prisoners
Lord, I pray for incarcerated individuals today. Bring genuine repentance and transformation. Protect them from violence and abuse. Prepare them for productive lives after release. Use prison ministries to lead them to You.
Hebrews 13:3
“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison.” Remember prisoners today. Amen.
27. Intercessory Prayer for Orphans
Father to the fatherless, I pray for orphans today. Provide loving adoptive families. Protect them from abuse and trafficking. Comfort their loneliness. Use Your church to demonstrate Your heart for the parentless.
Psalm 10:14
“But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand.” Care for orphans today. Amen.
28. Intercessory Prayer for Refugees
Lord, I pray for refugees fleeing danger today. Protect them in their journeys. Provide safe shelter and basic necessities. Comfort their trauma and loss. Help host nations show compassionate welcome.
Leviticus 19:34
“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born.” Give us compassion for refugees. Amen.
29. Intercessory Prayer for the Environment
Creator God, I pray for Your creation today. Give us wisdom to care for the earth responsibly. Convict us of wasteful consumption. Inspire solutions for pollution and climate challenges. Help us be good stewards of Your world.
Genesis 2:15
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Teach us to care for creation. Amen.
30. Intercessory Prayer for Media Influencers
Lord, I pray for those shaping culture through media today. Convict entertainment leaders of their influence. Raise up Christian voices in mainstream media. Transform harmful narratives with truth. Use media to spread the gospel.
Philippians 4:8
“Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable—think about such things.” Guide media content today. Amen.
31. Intercessory Prayer for Scientists
God of wisdom, I pray for researchers and scientists today. Guide them to discoveries that benefit humanity. Keep them from unethical practices. Use scientific advances to alleviate suffering and glorify You.
Daniel 2:21
“He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Give wisdom to scientists today. Amen.
32. Intercessory Prayer for Artists
Creative God, I pray for artists today. Anoint their gifts to reflect Your beauty and truth. Protect them from destructive influences in arts communities. Use their work to draw people to You.
Exodus 35:31
“And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills.” Fill Christian artists today. Amen.
33. Intercessory Prayer for Athletes
Lord, I pray for professional and amateur athletes today. Protect them from injury and exploitation. Give them discipline and good sportsmanship. Use their platforms to glorify You and inspire others.
1 Corinthians 9:24
“Run in such a way as to get the prize.” Bless athletes to run well. Amen.
34. Intercessory Prayer for Cities
Almighty God, I pray for our cities today. Reduce violence and crime. Strengthen healthy communities. Bless urban ministries reaching the lost. Give city leaders wisdom for complex challenges.
Jeremiah 29:7
“Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you.” Bring peace to our cities. Amen.
35. Intercessory Prayer for Revival
Lord, I pray for spiritual awakening today. Pour out Your Spirit across our land. Convict hearts of sin and draw multitudes to salvation. Revive Your church with fresh passion and power. Transform our culture through gospel renewal.
Habakkuk 3:2
“Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds. Repeat them in our day.” Send revival today. Amen.
Conclusion
As you’ve prayed these intercessory prayers rooted in Scripture, remember that your prayers make a difference in heaven and earth. Continue standing in the gap for others, knowing that God hears and answers according to His perfect will. May these scriptural prayers inspire you to deeper intercession for every person and situation God places on your heart.