My email was supposed to be a prayer request, but it started out sounding more like an apology. Although we needed friends to pray, I was hesitant to ask because I didn’t want my request to be a burden for anyone.
A few years ago my husband J.J. was having health problems and needed to have a liver biopsy. His doctor told us it was precautionary, so we weren’t sure if it would end up being anything serious in the end. And that made me hesitant to tell people about it. Yet I knew I didn’t want to walk through it alone or in my own strength.
Fifteen minutes after I sent my email, several friends started telling me they were praying. Not only did my friends pray – they thanked me for sharing what was going on and for letting them be there for me.
For someone who hates to impose on others, I need to remember that asking for prayer isn’t about putting burdens on my friends. Asking for prayer is about letting our friends walk by our side down a path that we were never intended to walk alone. {today’s post is a partial excerpt from my #AConfidentHeart #Devotional book}
Is it hard to ask others to pray for you?
Let’s stretch ourselves today and let others walk beside us in prayer by sharing a burden and then praying for one another. Briefly share one things we can pray for you by clicking “Share Your Heart” below this post. Then leave a prayer or say “I’ve prayed for you” under the request left before yours. Ready.Set.Pray.
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Alisa,
I prayed for your family and those that need the blessings and love of Jesus to touch their hearts. I pray for you also that whatever health problems you have may be healed in the name of Jesus and that he may give you continued strength and courage. May
God Bless You!
Please pray for me! I am a single mom and also work. I feel so overwhelmed, sometimes I would rather end my life, than go through these tough times. I am afraid of being a failure.. Please pray for me strength and wisdom to be a great mom and get through nursing school.
Terra,
I am lifting you up in prayer right now and will continue to lift you up. The Lord has great plans for you. He will be your strength and carry you through this season of your life. I understand the struggle of being a single mom. I am one, too. It is definitely the hardest thing that I have ever been through. However, through my situation I know that God is drawing me closer to Him. I’m sure He is doing the same in your life. You might not be able to see it now, but God is making you a stronger person every single day. Always remember that God is by your side, even if it seems like He isn’t. God has given you the ability you need to be the best mom for your child. He blessed your sweet child with you as a mom because God knows that you are capable of performing the task at hand. Don’t give up. There is light at the end of the tunnel. God bless you!!
Thank you Megan! It’s a relief to know I am not alone!
Praying that we all are trusting the LORD with all our hearts and leaning not on our own understanding and will acknowledge Him in all our ways and He will make our paths straight and that we will love the LORD with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength. May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we are trusting Him so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Please pray for my family that those who haven’t accepted Jesus as their Savior will and that we will have Him as the center of our lives. Also, i would appreciate prayer for my health situation-to know what doctor, tests, and treatments i should do and strength to do what i need to do-what the LORD wants me to do. Thank you!
Hi my name is Tammy, my primary requests r answered prayer revolve around a seemingly impossible family situation. My son and I finally started counseling yesterday with his physcloigist, begining with an hr and half of her taking background details from me, of his life including when I left his dad for dv the fact that even though its not physical with my son or I its still there. I’ve been back 2yrs and gods working miracles but its still hard. My son has special needs. It has brought up so much stuff in me. I only started a program to reduce prescription Tablet use and stuffed up.
I have to run, I’m praying for the top person I read on the list.
Wish I had more time
I really needed the word today and to remember to pray for others.
Bless u
I am struggling with control. I am working on releasing my feelings of anxiety, worry, less-than-others, and anger to my Father’s hands. I have always felt like I had control, but it’s really just a facade. I have a child who picks and pulls her hair out of anxiety – she is ADHD as well and the medication can exacerbate the feelings of needing to pick. I am scared for her. I am asking for prayer to have God help me take proper care of myself and to let Him have control of my life so I can let Him shine through me to my family, friends, co-workers and readers. Much gratitude…
A son and daughter-in-law that are not walking in the light of our Lord. They both know Him, but are trying to do life alone. It is breaking my heart.
Dear Terri,
Let’s pray together – Father God, please shine your light in Terri’s son’s and daughter-in-law’s lives. Let them experience a whole new relationship with you – one in which they feel unconditionally loved and full of hope, even on the not-so-great days. Show them they can rely fully on you and you will walk along with them and guide their hearts. In jesus’ name, Amen.
Much peace to you, my friend.
Kristin
My sister at age 56 is battling bladder cancer. It is high grade which means it is invasive and recurring. She just started treatment this week. We are worried that the cancer has spread. She is about at her wits end. I try to remain up beat and positive but at times I become afraid for her and what the outlook is for her. Alone, I cry. With her I can’t. This treatment does not always work so after 6 weeks she may find out there is no cure. My family would be devastated.
Lord You alone are our strength. Please be with this precious family. I lift the sister with the bladder cancer to your sufficient hands. I lift the sister that is afraid for her to your strength, Lord. Comfort and fill them both with your perfect peace. Thank you Jesus.
Praying for you ladies. God bless you and your friends and family.
I have a prayer request. My family and I are in need of at least two more vehicles so that my stepdad can get to work because his ride is finding other employment and my big sister needs transportation, she has two babies (2 mth and a 2 year old) and she needs transportation to get them back and forth to the doctor. My grandmother is still suffering from a stroke she had earlier this year I’m praying that she gets back in a God fearing, God teaching church so she can see the work of God in her life. I myself am in need of employment/transportation so that I may be able to financially help my church and family and get my ducks in a row.
Dear Chasity,
Father God, please watch over Chasity’s family and provide transportation opportunities they can continue to take care of their family’s needs. Place your hand on her suffering grandmother and let her know that are with her in her struggle and the joy. Guide Chasity’s path so she may find gainful employment and let her light shine to others.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Heidi, I have prayed for you and as a mother and aunt know your concerns. Please pray for healing for my husband. He has multiple medical conditions which have led to behaviors that is destroying our marriage and our family. I need prayer to stay strong for me and our kids.
Dear Trudy,
I can empathize with you. I am not certain if your husband is struggling with alcoholism/addiction – but if so, I’ve been there. If he ( and you and your family) is dealing with chronic illness behaviors I hope his doctor is aware of it.
Let’s pray together, Father God, Please gather up this struggling family and lead each one of them to a special relationship with you. May each one KNOW that he/she can turn to you in times of despair and celebrate with you in times of happiness. Please remind Trudy that it is not selfish to take care of herself in these times as well — some quiet time with you, a walk, a warm cup and a pen & paper. Give them strength to keep their marriage commitment and grow in their own paths.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
I have a prayer request for my step-mother who will soon be 95. I have placed her in a Christian Nursing Home, where she is able to attend church, be visited by the pastor, and is getting great food and care. I ask that you please pray that she will adjust to her new surroundings and I need the patience for each time I go in and she asks to go home. Since she is legally blind, and has a hearing problem, she can no longer take care of herself.
Dear Pat,
Father God, please look over the needs of Pat’s step-mother as she enters into this new stage of life. Please place this frightened woman in the hands of loving and God-Filled caregivers who bring out the best in her and help her feel welcome. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Peace be with you, my friend.
I have prayed for each of you. I also struggle with asking for help or for prayers. Please pray for my 10 year old daughter, who has been having some emotional and health issues and has lost a dramatic amount of weight. I am so concerned for her, but we haven’t found a doctor yet who will help her and search for a cause of her problems. Please pray that she will be healed physically and emotionally and will know God’s constant and unending love for her.
Heidi,
As a mother, I feel your concern and pain for your precious little girl. Prayers are being lifted for her and peace and wisdom for you.
I would appreciate extra prayers right now for my marriage and my husbands parents. Seeking restoration in my own marriage and my in-laws are in the middle of a divorce (that my husband is in the middle of). It’s not easy right now.
I covet your prayers for my son Ryan. He is is 31 years old and struggles with addictions. He has accepted the Lord as his personal Savior but needs to live a life that is pleasing to Him. Thank you.
Jessica, I have prayed for you. Let me also say that I have also had more than my share of health issues and I am only 37. Throughout the health issues, I found myself battling depression as well. In the midst of it all, God called my baby girl home before she took her first breath. He blessed me one year later with a son (now 12 going on 20, it seems). 6 months after he was born, I was served with divorce papers. I have since remarried and am so thankful for the blessings in my life but I still struggle with health concerns that plague me with emotional highs and lows.
I share all of this with you to let you know you are not alone. I know how difficult it can be to ask for prayer but it can also be difficult to accept prayer. Thank you for sharing your story and I will continue to pray for all of you!
Thank you for this assurance, Renee. I do always feel I’m burdening or worrying if I tell it like it really is. I often feel guilty to ask for prayers, because maybe then I’m complaining or someone might think I’m feeling sorry for myself. So I’m stepping out to ask for prayer to cope with chronic illness and to keep focused on Jesus. I wrote a blog post today about the struggle -http://freedtofly.wordpress.com/2014/03/13/but-i-will-remember-his-miracles/#comment-498
God is confirming it to me lately that being “real” is opening up blessings.
It is also very hard for me to ask my friends for prayer but recently they have reinforced what you have said about it is not a burden on them and that they are glad to help. My prayer request today is that I struggle alot with panic and anxiety. I was doing really well after a very dear friend of mine who is a mighty woman of God had prayed over me for these issues but today has been really hard. I am getting hit this year really bad. I should be celebrating but I can’t seem to fine the joy that should be in these moments. My daughter is getting married in August to a very fine man and my son graduates from high school in June and then in probably either going to West Virginia or Georgia to school which leaves my husband & I with an empty nest. This is so hard for me. My kids are my world and I am just having a hard time of letting go. I stayed at home with them from the time they were born. I just ask for God’s peace to cover me and to relieve me of this panic and anxiety. I want to be able to enjoy this time with my kids and not dread what is to come.
Kris, it does sound like you and I are sharing in some of the same things. I, too, suffer with panic and anxiety. My oldest moved away in 2011 and is now married. I sufferd with depression really bad after he left home. My middle son is graduating high school in May and will be living on campus at college. In a couple of years, our youngest will be gone as well. I know that I will have a hard time dealing with the empty nest thing, but I am sothankful that the Lord is slowly easing me into that stage of my life.
I am praying for you, sweetie. Just remember that you are not alone.
To Kris, I was anxious and panicky my whole life until age 50 and finally accepted that God works through medication too. I have been on meds for 21 years and am at peace and happy. People take meds for all types of other issues but shun help for emotions. The brain is an organ that sometimes malfunctions as do other organs. God provides help in many ways.
I have a hard time asking for prayer because it exposes alot. I have struggled with many health problems for over 25 yrs ab I am only 35. I don’t ever remember what it feels like to be well. January 2013 I got a Vagas Nerve Stimulator implant that was supposed to help with 2 issues but the side effect of the device are horrible and I felt duped in to a surgery that cannot be reversed. I became very depressed asI have many times in my life. I was angry and I didn’t know who to direct it at so I began to ignore God and the enemy took over and thoughts of suicide began to plauge me as have happened before. Please pray for all of these things and restored faith and trust of Gods love.
Jessica,
I am praying for you spiritually, physically and emotionally. I pray the Lord will wrap his loving arms around you like a warm blanket and that you will feel His peace.
My youngest daughter , who is 11 started having seizures this past January. Just this past week she was finally diagnosised. She has partial complex epilepsy. Please pray that the medicine that she has been on will help her and that she will get caught up in school.
Melissa,
I pray that the doctors have diagnosed the seizures correctly and that the medication that they have prescribed will help your daughter. I pray that, at her young age, there are friends that can go along side of her and encourage her. I pray that there will be someone who will come forward to encourage her. I also, pray for your patience and loving guidance.
I know just how you feel. I don’t want to burden others. So here I go: I have started a new position in July 2013 at my job. In September I had a head on accident and was out of work to the first of the year. I have notice that my short term memory has really been affected. I write a lot more down and have to refer back to it. I take care of my mom which is wheelchair bound. Thank God for my husband that stays at home and has taken up most of the load. I am the sole financial provider now. Please pray God will give me the calmness to regain my confidence in my job and show God in everything I do.
I have prayed for all.