It's easy to get caught up in our lives and needs and forget to pray for others, but God calls us to intercede for everyone, to lift them up to Him and to ask that His will be done in their lives. This doesn't have to take a long time. We don't have to recite elaborate prayers or list dozens of requests. All we need to do is lovingly present those around us to God, and this is something we can easily incorporate into our daily lives.
Here are a few opportunities for intercession:
1. Pick out the saddest looking person in the room, and ask God to wrap him or her in joy.
2. Pray for the check-out clerk at the store.
3. Pray for other drivers, especially when they aren't driving very well.
4. When you read or listen to a news story, pray for the people involved.
5. Smile at the person next to you in line, and say a quick prayer for him or her.
6. Read the obituary section of the newspaper, and pray for the deceased and their families.
7. Say a prayer for the person who makes you upset or angry.
8. Pray for the person sitting next to you (or in front of you or behind you) at church.
9. Lift up a prayer for the parent whose child is screaming in a public place.
10. Pray for your co-workers, students, teachers, etc.
11. Lift up your priests and pastors to God.
12. Pray for the sick and for the souls in Purgatory.
The possibilities for intercessory prayer are endless if only you look for them, recognize them, and take advantage of them. The people around us need prayer. All of us need prayer. That's why St. Paul urges “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone.”
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