What is the importance of praying for others?

from the old testament

• Abraham asked the Lord to show mercy to certain righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:23–33). Although we're in a very different context, we can intercede for people who are in danger today—such as innocent children in war zones or missionaries doing work in dangerous places—asking the Lord to protect them.
• Elijah prayed to God to bring back to life the son of the widow who had hosted him on his journey. Incredibly, God brought the boy back to life (1 Kings 17:17–22). We can follow Elijah’s example in the sense of praying, even for people we barely know, asking for God to work a miracle in their lives. If it’s within His will, He will fulfill the request.
• Although Job’s friends wronged him greatly, he loved them to the extent of asking God to forgive them (Job 42:8–10). Even when friends hurt or betray us, we can follow Job’s example and still pray for them.

from the new testament

• Believers are commanded to pray for others, which includes our families, friends, fellow believers, but also our enemies (1 Timothy 2:1–2; Matthew 5:44).
• By praying for others, we are imitating Jesus Christ, who intercedes with God the Father on our behalf (Romans 8:34), as well as the Spirit of God, who intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26).
• By praying for others, we are participating with God in the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18–20).
• Praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ is one means by which we share one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2).
• Prayer is a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:18), and we can pray for other believers to be guarded against spiritual attack.
• Paul requested prayer for his work in ministry (Ephesians 6:18–20). Likewise, we can pray for today’s ministry workers that God will work mightily through their service to Him.
• The New Testament epistles are replete with examples of praying for others, as well as calls to do so. For example, 1 Timothy 2:1–4 says, "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
• James recommended praying when people are sick and connected it to the confession of sins to one another (James 5:14–16).
• Praying for others indicates love for them. If we do not love, it indicates that we do not know God (1 John 3:10; 4:20–21). Our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ indicates we have passed from spiritual death to spiritual life (1 John 3:14)—that we know God. We ought to love everyone, but there is a special love we have for fellow believers, and as such, we ought to pray for them fervently.

implications for today

Throughout the New Testament, we see apostles and early believers continuously asking each other to pray and remembering each other in their prayers (Ephesians 1:16; 6:18–19; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Philemon 1:4). Why? Because they knew it was God, and God alone, who could strengthen them, uphold them, and cause them to rejoice, even amid the sorest trials and against the most enticing temptations (Luke 22:32; Ephesians 3:20; Romans 16:25; 2 Peter 2:9; Matthew 6:13). We must follow their example and pray—for ourselves and others—because we know it is God who holds the power. Prayer is our means of communication with God, accessing His power and participating in His plans for this world through it. In prayer, we praise God and seek His face, that we might become more like Him. We pray for God to soften the hearts of people and draw them to salvation. We pray for Him to encourage and grow His children. Ultimately, we pray for God's will to be done in our lives and the lives of others. As the writer of Hebrews said, "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14–16).