Easter Sunday isn’t only about celebrating an empty tomb — it’s also a time to lift up the needs of the Church and the world. Prayers of intercession turn resurrection joy outward, toward the people and places that need hope most.
These powerful Easter Sunday prayers of intercession, structured for congregational worship or personal reflection.
What Is an Easter Sunday Prayer of Intercession?
An Easter Sunday prayer of intercession is a prayer offered on behalf of others — the Church, the suffering, the grieving, the world — rather than for personal needs alone. It connects the joy of the resurrection to real, present needs.
These prayers are often used in congregational worship, following a leader and people format, where the leader prays a request and the congregation responds together. That response is traditionally: “Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.”
Scripture Behind Intercessory Prayer
1 Timothy 2:1 urges believers that “petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people.” Romans 8:34 reminds us that Christ Himself “is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”
Matthew 28:6 proclaims the foundation of Easter itself: “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” This is the joy every intercession that follows is built upon.
A Short Easter Sunday Prayer of Intercession
This longer prayer works well as an opening intercession before moving into more specific requests.
“Risen Lord, we come before You in the joy of Your resurrection. We lift up Your Church throughout the world, that it may proclaim the truth of the empty tomb with courage. We lift up the suffering, the grieving, and the forgotten, asking You to meet them with hope. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen.”
Easter Sunday Prayers of Intercession
Prayer 1: Intercession for the Global Church
“Risen Lord, unite Your Church across the world in the shared mission of proclaiming Your resurrection.”
This intercession lifts up the wider Church, not just a single congregation.
Action Item: Say this prayer during a Sunday worship service.
Prayer 2: Intercession for Peace
“Lord of life, bring peace to places torn apart by violence and war.”
This intercession applies resurrection hope to global conflict.
Action Item: Say this prayer while thinking of a specific region in conflict.
Prayer 3: Intercession for Justice
“God, let the light of the empty tomb break through injustice and poverty.”
This intercession connects Easter hope to real-world inequality and suffering.
Action Item: Say this prayer during a community prayer gathering.
Prayer 4: Intercession for Creation
“Creator God, guide us to be faithful stewards of the earth You’ve made.”
This intercession lifts up creation itself as part of Easter’s renewal.
Action Item: Say this prayer during an outdoor Easter gathering.
Prayer 5: Intercession for the Suffering
“Lord, roll away the heavy stones in the lives of those who are struggling.”
This intercession uses the imagery of the tomb’s stone to picture present-day burdens.
Action Item: Say this prayer for someone facing a hard season.
Prayer 6: Intercession for the Discouraged
“God, lift the spirits of those whose strength has failed.”
This intercession names discouragement directly, without minimizing it.
Action Item: Say this prayer for someone who feels hopeless right now.
Prayer 7: Intercession for Those Struggling With Addiction
“Lord, free those whose determination has been sapped by addiction.”
This intercession applies resurrection hope to a specific, often hidden struggle.
Action Item: Say this prayer for someone you know in recovery.
Prayer 8: Intercession for the Bereaved
“Jesus, draw near to all who grieve today, as You did with Mary at the tomb.”
This intercession connects Easter’s first moments of grief to present-day loss.
Action Item: Say this prayer for someone who has recently lost a loved one.
Prayer 9: Intercession for the Fearful
“Lord, turn fear into courage, the way You did for Your disciples.”
This intercession applies the disciples’ transformation to anyone currently afraid.
Action Item: Say this prayer for someone facing an uncertain situation.
Prayer 10: Intercession for the Sick
“God, bring healing and comfort to those who are sick this Easter.”
This intercession lifts up physical illness alongside spiritual renewal.
Action Item: Say this prayer for someone in the hospital or recovering at home.
Prayer 11: Intercession for Families
“Lord, bring unity and peace to families gathering this Easter.”
This intercession applies resurrection hope to relationships within the home.
Action Item: Say this prayer before an Easter family gathering.
Prayer 12: Intercession for New Believers
“God, strengthen the faith of those who are new to believing in You.”
This intercession supports people early in their faith journey, especially around Easter.
Action Item: Say this prayer for someone recently baptized or newly confirmed.
Prayer 13: Intercession for Church Leaders
“Lord, give wisdom and strength to pastors and leaders this season.”
This intercession lifts up those responsible for guiding congregations.
Action Item: Say this prayer during a leadership or staff meeting.
Prayer 14: Intercession for Missionaries
“God, protect and strengthen missionaries proclaiming the resurrection abroad.”
This intercession widens the prayer to those spreading the Easter message globally.
Action Item: Say this prayer during a missions-focused service.
Prayer 15: Intercession for the Persecuted Church
“Lord, protect believers who face persecution for their faith.”
This intercession names a specific, ongoing global reality many congregations pray for.
Action Item: Say this prayer during a service focused on the global Church.
Prayer 16: Intercession for the Lonely
“God, be near to those who will spend Easter alone.”
This intercession names loneliness directly, especially on a holiday built around gathering.
Action Item: Say this prayer for someone you know who is isolated.
Prayer 17: Intercession for Reconciliation
“Lord, bring reconciliation where relationships have been broken.”
This intercession applies resurrection restoration to strained relationships.
Action Item: Say this prayer before reaching out to someone estranged.
Prayer 18: Intercession for the Doubting
“God, meet those who doubt with the same patience You showed Thomas.”
This intercession offers grace to those struggling with faith, rather than judgment.
Action Item: Say this prayer for someone going through a season of doubt.
Prayer 19: Intercession for Children and Youth
“Lord, plant seeds of faith in the hearts of children and young people this Easter.”
This intercession focuses specifically on the next generation’s faith formation.
Action Item: Say this prayer during a children’s or youth service.
Prayer 20: Intercession for the Poor
“God, provide for those in need and move our hearts toward generosity.”
This intercession pairs a request with a call to action for the congregation itself.
Action Item: Say this prayer before an Easter giving or outreach effort.
Prayer 21: Intercession for Prisoners
“Lord, be present with those in prison and bring hope into their confinement.”
This intercession lifts up a group often left out of typical Easter prayers.
Action Item: Say this prayer during a prison ministry service.
Prayer 22: Intercession for Healthcare Workers
“God, strengthen those who care for the sick and dying.”
This intercession honors the ongoing labor of medical professionals.
Action Item: Say this prayer during a hospital or healthcare-focused service.
Prayer 23: Intercession for Refugees and Displaced People
“Lord, bring safety and hope to those displaced from their homes.”
This intercession lifts up a specific global need often highlighted around Easter.
Action Item: Say this prayer during a service focused on global need.
Prayer 24: Intercession for Marriages
“God, strengthen marriages represented in this congregation today.”
This intercession applies resurrection renewal to committed relationships.
Action Item: Say this prayer during a family or marriage-focused service.
Prayer 25: Intercession for the Grieving Church Family
“Lord, comfort our own church family as we remember those we’ve lost.”
This intercession applies communal grief specifically within a congregation.
Action Item: Say this prayer during a memorial or remembrance service.
Prayer 26: Intercession for Renewed Faith
“God, renew the faith of those who have grown distant from You.”
This intercession lifts up believers who have drifted, without judgment attached.
Action Item: Say this prayer for someone who hasn’t attended church in a while.
Prayer 27: Intercession for Gratitude
“Lord, fill our hearts with gratitude for the gift of the resurrection.”
This intercession shifts the congregation’s posture toward thankfulness.
Action Item: Say this prayer at the start of an Easter service.
Prayer 28: Intercession for Boldness in Witness
“God, give us courage to share the hope of the resurrection with others.”
This intercession asks for boldness in speaking about faith beyond the church walls.
Action Item: Say this prayer before an outreach event.
Prayer 29: Intercession for the World’s Weariness
“Lord, bring fresh strength to a weary world.”
This intercession names global exhaustion broadly, covering needs beyond one category.
Action Item: Say this prayer as a closing line before moving to personal prayer.
Prayer 30: Intercession for Unity Among Believers
“God, unite believers across denominations in the shared hope of the resurrection.”
This intercession lifts up unity across the wider body of Christ.
Action Item: Say this prayer during an ecumenical or joint service.
Prayer 31: Intercession for Those Facing Death
“Lord, give peace to those approaching the end of life.”
This intercession applies resurrection hope directly to mortality and dying.
Action Item: Say this prayer for someone in hospice or nearing the end of life.
Prayer 32: Intercession for Financial Hardship
“God, provide for those struggling financially this season.”
This intercession names a practical, often unspoken need within a congregation.
Action Item: Say this prayer during a season of economic hardship.
Prayer 33: Intercession for Wisdom in Leadership
“Lord, give wisdom to leaders in our communities and nations.”
This intercession widens prayer beyond the Church to civic and national leadership.
Action Item: Say this prayer during a service that includes prayer for government.
Prayer 34: Response Prayer of Intercession
“Lord, in Your mercy — hear our prayer.”
This is the traditional congregational response used after each spoken intercession.
Action Item: Say this response together as a congregation after each request.
Prayer 35: Closing Intercession of Thanksgiving
“Risen Lord, thank You for hearing every prayer we’ve lifted up today.”
This closing intercession ends the list in gratitude, trusting the prayers have been heard.
Action Item: Say this prayer as the final line before moving into worship or benediction.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good example of an intercessory prayer?
“Lord, bring peace to places torn apart by violence and war” is a clear example, since it names a specific need on behalf of others rather than personal requests.
What are some good intercessions for this Sunday?
Intercessions for the Church, the suffering, families, and world peace are commonly used and can be adapted to any Sunday service, not just Easter.
What are some intercessory prayers for Trinity Sunday?
Prayers often focus on the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, asking that the Church reflect that same unity in its own community and mission.
What are some intercessory prayers for Bible Sunday?
These typically ask that Scripture be understood, shared, and lived out, such as “Lord, help Your Word take root in our hearts and communities.”
What are some good opening prayers for intercession?
An opening line like “Risen Lord, we come before You in the joy of Your resurrection” sets a tone of gratitude before moving into specific requests.
What is the great intercessory prayer?
This traditionally refers to John 17, where Jesus prays for His disciples and all future believers just before His crucifixion.
What are some good intercessory prayer points for Sundays?
Common points include the Church, world leaders, the sick, the grieving, and personal family needs, all of which are included in the 35 prayers above.
What are some short, powerful Sunday prayers?
“Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer” is one of the shortest and most widely used lines in intercessory worship.
What are some intercessory prayers I can say for my family?
“Lord, bring unity and peace to my family, and strengthen us in our faith together” works well as a short, personal intercession.
Sophia Bennett is the founder, author, and content researcher behind StGertrudePrayer.com. She shares meaningful prayers, heartfelt wishes, and inspiring blessings to help readers strengthen faith, find encouragement, and celebrate life’s special moments with spiritual guidance and hope.