Prayer, Intercession and The Word

A Guide For New & Growing Believers

WHAT PRAYER REALLY IS

Prayer is simply talking with God and listening to Him. It is an honest, ongoing conversation with the God who made you, loves you, and invites you to know Him personally.

Prayer is relational, not just transactional. It is not mainly about “getting things from God,” but about growing closer to God Himself—learning His heart, trusting His character, and walking with Him day by day.

For a new believer, this means: you do not have to know special words. You can talk to God in your normal voice, about real things in your real life. Over time, your prayers will grow, but the heart of prayer is always relationship.

A simple way to remember what can be in your prayers is this:

  • Thanking God (gratitude)

  • Praising God (adoration)

  • Admitting sin and asking forgiveness (confession)

  • Asking for help, guidance, and provision (petition)

  • Praying for others (intercession)

PRAYER AS A GROWING RELATIONSHIP

As you grow, prayer becomes the way you live “with God” in ordinary moments. Mature believers describe prayer as ongoing conversation throughout the day: thanking God, asking for help, confessing quickly when they sin, and listening for His leading.

Some key truths that help at any stage:

  1. God wants a real relationship with you.
    He is not distant. He invites you to come to Him as Father and friend.

  2. God cares about all of it.
    You can talk to Him about your fears, joys, questions, temptations, and even your confusion about prayer itself.

  3. God teaches each person to pray.
    People have different personalities and seasons. Over time, He will shape your prayer life in a way that fits how He made you.

  4. Prayer includes listening.
    We listen to God primarily through Scripture, but also by quieting our hearts and paying attention to how His Word applies right now.

For someone who has walked with Jesus for a while, growth in prayer often means going deeper in honesty, deeper in dependence, and deeper in alignment with God’s will—less self-centered, more God-centered and others-focused.

WHAT IS INTERCESSION?

“Intercessory prayer” sounds complicated, but it simply means praying to God on behalf of someone else—asking Him to help, heal, protect, guide, or save them according to His will.

You can think of intercession this way:

  • You go to God.

  • You bring someone else’s need with you.

  • You stand “in the gap,” asking God to move in their life.

Some teachers explain “standing in the gap” as exposing yourself for the protection of another—like stepping onto the battlefield in place of a wounded friend. It is an act of love and spiritual courage.

Biblically, all Christians are called to pray for others. Intercession is not just for “prayer warriors” or leaders. Everyone who has the Holy Spirit can join in this ministry.

WHY INTERCESSION MATTERS

Intercession is important for at least three reasons:

  1. It imitates Jesus.
    Jesus Himself prays for His people. When we intercede, we are copying His heart of love and His desire that others be brought near to God.

  2. It expresses love.
    To carry someone in prayer is one of the most tangible ways to love them—especially when we have no ability to fix their situation on our own.

  3. It joins God’s work.
    God chooses to work through the prayers of His people. Intercession is one way He invites us to participate in what He is already doing.

For a newer believer, intercession might start very simply:
“God, please help my friend who is hurting. Give her comfort. Show her Your love. Lead her to You.”

For a mature believer, intercession can grow into more specific, Scripture-shaped, persevering prayer for people, leaders, churches, and nations.

HOW TO PRACTICE INTERCESSION (STEP BY STEP)

Here is a simple, beginner-friendly pattern you can grow in over time.

  1. Remove distractions.
    Find as quiet a space as you reasonably can. Turn off notifications. Take a deep breath and remember that God is present and attentive.

  2. Choose who you’ll pray for.
    You might focus on one person, your family, your church, or a specific need. You can even write a short list of names you regularly bring before the Lord.

  3. Tell God about them.
    God already knows, but describing the person and situation in your own words helps you engage your heart. Be honest and specific: What are they facing? What are you concerned about?

  4. Name their need.
    Ask God directly: for healing, comfort, strength, repentance, salvation, wisdom, provision—whatever is truly needed. It is okay if you do not have perfect words.

  5. Ask according to God’s will.
    Where you know God’s will from Scripture (for example, that people come to know Christ, grow in love, turn from sin), ask boldly. Where you do not know specifics, ask God to work in the best way and to be glorified.

  6. Pause and listen.
    After you have prayed, be still for a moment. Sometimes the Lord will bring a Scripture to mind, prompt you to encourage the person, or show you a practical way to love them.

  7. Keep a simple record.
    Many believers write down prayer requests and dates. Later, they look back and see how God has answered—this strengthens faith and encourages perseverance.

PRAYER BEFORE READING THE BIBLE

Before opening the Bible, it is wise to pray. This is how we say, “God, I need You to help me understand and obey what I’m about to read.”

New believers often feel intimidated by Scripture. Prayer reminds us:

  • The Bible is God’s Word.

  • The Holy Spirit helps us understand.

  • We read not to fill our heads with facts, but to know God and be changed.

Many mature believers regularly pray in line with Ephesians 1:17–19, asking God to give “a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him” and to enlighten the eyes of their hearts so they can grasp what He is showing them. Others use very simple words like: “God, thank You for speaking. Open my heart and mind to hear what You are saying today.”

Helpful themes for prayer before Bible study include:

  • Thank You: “Thank You for Your Word and for wanting to speak to me.”

  • Help me see: “Open my eyes to understand what I read.”

  • Change me: “Show me what needs to change in my attitudes, choices, and desires.”

  • Stay with me: “Help me remember this and live it out today.”

A SIMPLE PATTERN FOR STUDY + PRAYER (FOR ANY LEVEL)

Putting this together, here is a pattern that works for both new and seasoned believers:

  1. Before you read

    • Quiet yourself.

    • Pray briefly, asking God to speak through His Word and to help you understand.

  2. As you read

    • Read slowly; don’t rush.

    • Ask questions: What is happening? What does this show me about God? About people?

    • If something stands out—pause and turn it into a short prayer.

  3. After you read

    • Thank God for what you saw.

    • Ask how this applies to your life today.

    • Pray for yourself and for others based on what you read—this is where intercession and Bible study weave together.

HOW THIS HELPS NEW BELIEVERS AND MATURE BELIEVERS

For new believers:

  • This approach keeps things simple and relational—talking with God as Father, learning to read the Bible, and beginning to pray for others.

  • It removes pressure to “perform” in prayer and encourages honesty, dependence, and growth.

For believers who have walked with God for years:

  • It invites a return to humble dependence instead of routine.

  • It deepens intercession, grounding it more intentionally in Scripture and the character of God.

  • It helps integrate study and prayer so that knowledge leads to transformation and love.

You can always go deeper—studying biblical prayers, learning different models of prayer, fasting, or setting aside longer times of intercession—but the simple foundation remains:

  • Prayer is relationship.

  • Intercession is loving others in God’s presence.

  • Scripture and prayer belong together.