The scope of prayer is boundless, being limited only by the qualifying statement "according to his will" (1 John 5:14).
Granted that provision, and prayer is without limit of place ("everywhere" - 1 Tim. 2:8); without limit of time ("always - Luke 18:1); without limit of subject ("everything" - Phil. 4:6; "all things" - Matt. 21:22; "whatsoever" - John 16:23).

Such words as "everything," "anything," are associated with prayer (John 14:15; 15:6). Nevertheless they will be governed by the qualifying clause:"in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ."

Here are examples of some things for which we are invited to pray.

For men in authority that we might live a peaceable life: "I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

For Israel: "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved" (Rom. 10:1).

For the peace of Jerusalem: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee" (Ps. 122:6). "I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord keep not silence, and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth" (Isa. 62:6-7).

For laborers in His service: "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His harvest" (Luke 10:2).

For the extension of the gospel: "Pray for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel" (Eph. 6:19).

For conversions: "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men . . . For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:1-4).

For enemies: "Pray for them that despitefully use you (Luke 6:28; Matt. 5:44). "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge" (Acts 7:60). "I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge" (2 Tim. 4:16).

For pardon of transgression: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). "I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Consider!" (Ps. 32:5).

For character-building: "I cease not to pray that ye may know ... the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power" (Eph. 1:16-23). "I bow my knees unto the Father, . .. that He would grant you ... to be strengthened with might by His spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith ..." (Eph. 3:15-16). "I pray that your love may abound yet more in knowledge and in judgment; that ye may try things that differ; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness . . ." (Phil. 1:9-10). "I do not cease to pray . . . that ye might walk worthy of the Lord" (Col. 1:10). "The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: to the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness ..." (1 Thess. 3:12-13).

For knowledge: "I cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him" (Eph. 1:16-17). "We do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding . . . increasing in the knowledge of God" (Col. 1:9-10). "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5). "From the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words" (Dan. 10:12; 9:23).

In trouble: "Call upon Me in the day of trouble" (Ps. 50:15). "In the day of trouble I will call upon Thee! for Thou will answer me" (Ps. 86:7).

For Protection: "In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, even into His ears . . ." (Ps. 18:6). "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 0 taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him" (Ps. 34:6-8). "Ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children. My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him: for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth" (Heb. 12:5).

For Salvation: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:13). "Arise, O Lord, save me, 0 my God" (Psalm 3:7).

For others: "Without ceasing, I make mention of you in my prayers" (Rom. 1:9). "Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy" (Phil. 1:4). "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word" (John 17:20).

For Confession of sin: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). "And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, the Lord also hath put away thy sin" (2 Sam. 12:13).