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Prayer Requests

             Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:8) 

For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Matthew 6:32

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (I Timothy 2:1-2)

 

I have heard the complaint or accusation that if we believe that God is omnipotent and loving, we should not ask Him for anything more than once. The verses from Matthew 6 are sometimes used to argue this. Even more, we should never ask anyone else to pray for us or for some need. To ask others to pray is to try to strong-arm God into doing what we want by collecting a posse. And I can see where those criticisms can be accurate, but are not necessarily and universally true.

The first reason we should ask others to pray for us is that Scripture commands it in verses like James 5:16 and 1 Timothy 2:1-2. The second reason we should ask others to pray for us is humility. We are not sufficient in ourselves, and confessing that to others is healthy and wise. The third reason we should ask others to pray for us, and that we should pray for others, is because the prayers (whether for us or from us) are acts of love.

For us to ask for prayers is not begging for love. It’s like suggesting ideas for presents you might like. It gives options to the person who loves you and doesn’t require that they play guessing games, for which you will judge them when they err. It is also because praying for someone is loving them that those who scoff at "thoughts and prayers" being lifted up by those who aren't in a position to to something while the scoffers wait for government agencies or charity organizations to do something are not only wrong, but hateful.


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