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"If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than it is within our power to give them, and this will lead us to prayer: Intercession is a way of loving others."—Richard J. Foster

5 Areas for Intercessory Prayer

There are five major areas of intercession that we should pray for in our daily prayer life. Each one represents a circle of influence and authority that God gives us to pray for. When praying we should start with the first area and then work our way down to the last.

1. Our Families & Friends. In Acts 16:31 the word for household refers to our circle of influence. Begin to pray for your friends and families that God would move in their lives. Intercession is about our responsibility to pray for others and that begins with those closest to us.
2. Our Church. The next area that we should pray for is the church. Practically every one of Paul's letters opens with a personal prayer for the church. In Romans 1:9 Paul reminds the church, "God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you." We should pray daily for our churches, church workers, pastors and leaders. These people have a great burden to bear.



3. The City. The prophet Jeremiah tells us that we should, "Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare" (Jeremiah 29:7). In other words, we will be blessed by praying for the blessing of our community or city. Don't give up on your city, but pray that Jesus would be glorified in your city.
4. Our Nation. Nehemiah was a man who had a great burden to bring revival and restoration to Israel. He prayed, "Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants" (Nehemiah 1:6). God heard his prayers and brought restoration to the land, and he promises to hear our prayers for your nation.
5. Our World. Lastly, we should pray for the people and governments of the world. Although you may never leave your country, you can still have an influence in the lives of others across the world by praying for them. Remember, it is God's desire to save the elect. Ask the Lord to speak to you about a certain country that you should pray for. God promises to listen when we pray.

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