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What does the Bible say about praying for each other?

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The Bible teaches that believers should faithfully pray for one another, bringing needs, burdens, confession, thanksgiving, and even enemies before God in Christ's name. James 5:16 joins mutual confession with earnest prayer, assuring us that the prayer of the righteous is effective through God's grace. Ephesians 6:18 and 1 Timothy 2:1 call the church to persevering intercession for all kinds of people. Paul models this in Colossians 1:9, praying that believers would know God's will and bear fruit. We pray with confidence yet submission, trusting the Spirit to help our weakness (Romans 8:26) and God to answer according to His wise purposes.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • James 5:16

    Confess your offenses to one another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effective, earnest prayer of a righteous man is powerfully effective.

  • Ephesians 6:18

    with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints:

  • 1 Timothy 2:1

    I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men:

  • Philippians 4:6

    In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

  • 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,

  • 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,

  • Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

    [9] Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. [10] For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn't have another to lift him up. [11] Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone? [12] If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

    [16] Rejoice always. [17] Pray without ceasing. [18] In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.

  • Romans 8:26

    In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered.

  • Matthew 18:19

    Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven.

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