How to pray effectively for others who are in need of help but who are unable or unwilling to pray for themselves is called standing in the gap. Standing in the gap is a form of intercessory prayer where our prayers bridge the gap between God and people who are cut off from God’s helping presence. When we stand in the gap in prayer, we pray for God’s help, mercy, intervention and/or forgiveness on the behalf of individuals, groups of people or nations.
Examples of the kinds of situations where you might need to stand in the gap in prayer include:
Praying for those in a crisis situation who don’t know God and/or who may not know how to pray or who don’t believe in prayer.
Praying for those who are living in opposition to God through their unhealthy lifestyle, pride or rebellion.
Praying for communities, institutions, churches or workplaces where factions are battling for control.