How can I pray for the people mentioned in the intercessions when I don't know who they are and what's the matter with them?
The same question applies when situations in the news are mentioned too, as we do not know all the facts or the people involved. But that should not stop us from praying for them.
The question can best be answered with another question: "Why do you need to know?" The thing is, these are the corporate prayers of the Church and not the prayers of separate individuals. In fact, a better name for this part of the service is "The Prayers of the People", for that is what they should be - the gathered prayers of the whole assembly. Of course, for the sake of good order, it is necessary for someone to lead and gather these prayers and he or she needs to have someone or something to pray about.
It does not matter whether the person leading the prayers or others in the congregation know the person being prayed for. What matters is that God knows and that the person being prayed for and/or the person who asked for the prayers knows. God does not need us to tell him what to do because, obviously, he knows already. By praying we are helped to align our desires and concerns with his will. The people being prayed for also gain great benefit because they feel supported and cared for. Most of us will know how much better we feel when we know people are praying for us. Time and again I have received messages of thanks from people who have been prayed for in church and they have said what a comfort it was.
People question the lists of names that are sometimes read out at the intercessions and wonder what is being achieved by them. The point is that each person mentioned means something to God and means something to someone in the congregation. These too are helped because they know their concerns have been heard and they are reminded that they are part of a praying, caring community. For this reason it is often better to hear the names spoken out loudly and clearly, or to see them written down in the intercessions book in the porch. That helps those being prayed for and us who are being asked to join in the prayers for them. Needless to say, this is not an occasion for the curious to wonder "Oh, what's the matter with her/him?" (or - perish the thought - to gossip about them in the hall afterwards!).
The intercessions are our opportunity, in confidence and faith, to support each other in love and to show our concern for all God's people, near and far, known and unknown (see James 5:13-16).
PMP