Recently, I heard the replay of my conversation with Kathi Lipp on her podcast where we talked about asking for prayer and I wanted to invite you to join us! Welcome if you’re visiting from Kathi’s page. I’m so glad you’re here! I would love to pray for you today, and have us all pray for each other. I’m also giving away my new favorite prayer journal. Keep reading to find out more.
It was supposed to be a prayer request, but my email started out more like an apology. I needed friends to pray, yet I was hesitant to ask. I didn’t want my burdens to burden them.
They already had so many problems of their own: illnesses, a job loss, death of a loved one, relationship strains, overwhelming stress, and overloaded schedules.
I questioned whether my need rated high enough on the urgency “Richter scale.”
Was it really bad enough to ask for prayer, or should I wait to see how things turned out?
The first sentence in my email went something like this: “I hate to add to your list of burdens, but I need prayer for JJ.”
A few years ago, my husband had a routine check-up and blood test results that caused his doctor to be concerned about his liver, which led to a biopsy that week. We didn’t know whether it would be anything serious in the end. I just knew I didn’t want to walk through it alone in fear, denial, or my own strength.
Within fifteen minutes of me hitting “send,” friends who were on their computers started telling me they were praying. And not only did they pray, they thanked me for sharing what was going on and for letting them be there for me.
One friend shared how someone she knew had been through a similar situation. Another asked questions and made some great suggestions. Then another cracked a funny joke that made me laugh, which I really needed to do!
The night before we went to the hospital, my friend Amy sent an email saying, “I’ve been lifting prayers heavenward for your family since your last email. Know that you’ll be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow. Let us know as soon as you hear results. We’re all in this with you, friend.”
As I read her last sentence, I could almost feel the softness of her hands gently squeeze my shoulders and hear her saying, “We’re all in this with you, friend.”
And then it hit me, what if I had not shared our need?
I would’ve missed the comfort of having friends “with me” and peace that came through the power of their prayers.
They would’ve missed out on a chance to be the “body of Christ” by guarding our hearts and minds with God’s promises and the power of prayer. And they would have missed being part of what God was doing, the joy that came when medical tests went well, and the recovery that was quick. And as we waited that week for biopsy results that ended up coming back normal, their prayers and God’s peace were constant companions.
Are you are carrying a burden today? Don’t listen to doubts that make you question the validity of your need. Even if, like me, you hate to impose on others.
Asking for prayer isn’t about putting burdens on our friends.
It’s about letting them walk by our side down a path we were
never intended to walk alone.
Lord, thank You for never seeing my prayers as a burden. Help me remember the power and purpose of prayer in my life and in my friendships.
Let’s walk together and carry each other’s burdens this week by sharing a prayer request and praying for each other in the comments by clicking “Share Your Thoughts.” I’ll be praying for each of you! And would love if you could leave a short prayer for the person who shares their need in the comment above yours!!!
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Come to Me {journal} by Renee Swope
Jesus invites us to come to Him: to receive, rest, be renewed, and remain in His love. Experience the power of God’s presences and rejuvenate your soul with the living water of His word as you are reminded with the truth of who God is and who you are in Him.Filled with inspirational quotes and prayers, this journal will help you position your heart to receive God’s peace, plans, perspective and purpose for you each day. 6×8 Hardcover, 144 Pages
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Thank you for this devotion. Please pray for my family who aren’t following the LORD and for family and myself who are having health issues. Thanks! Dear LORD, i lift Sandra up to You . She would like to have self control and walk in the Spirit. Please help her to hear You voice and give her wisdom in the choices she makes. May she give You the glory in all she does! In Jesus’ name i pray!
Lord, you are good and we know that it is your will that Alisa’s family would be saved. Lord, I ask that you would come near them now. Open their eyes and their hearts to the truth of your word. Lord, I ask that you would meet their innermost needs and provide an opportunity for each of them to hear the gospel message and come to a saving knowledge of you. I pray also that you would heal Alisa and her loved ones in body, mind and spirit. I pray that you would come alongside them and give them strength and courage. Guide the doctors hands lord and give them wisdom in treating these health issues that weigh on her heart. Lord Jesus, would you please lighten Alisa’s load today, that she may walk with a renewed sense of your loving presence. Above all, Lord, I ask that your will be done in her life. That she may live for you and glorify you here on the earth. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Thank you for these words of wisdom! It was what I needed today.
Thank you for sharing, prayers for you and your family. I would appreciate your prayers for me, to have self control and walk in the Spirit not the flesh. Thank you so much!
Im fearful to ask…there is shame that I carry at times This shame is overbearing for me and I worry about what other will think. I know better but the feeling is still there. So many times I rely on myself to speak and pray with GOD in these matters
Renee, thank you for sharing this! I would like to ask prayer for wisdom as a parent and blogger. Thank You!
I’m bad about asking for prayer because i know so many other people struggle with things far more important (i fear) than my needs. But you are right, just knowing, feeling that we are being supported helps that burden feel not as heavy. Next time i feel like i need prayer, instead of hesitating, i will hit the send button and ask for prayer.
Praying for my marriage
My prayer request is for my husband. He is having terrible pains in his side. He’s already had his appendix out (the pain is in the same area). He’s been rechecked by the surgeon quite a while ago. Last week he went back to our primary dr. They are scheduling more appointments with the original surgeon and an urologist. It difficult waiting, I’m not sure if we will end up in the ER. He’s not one to complain so I know it is really bad. Thank you.
My mother had Alzheimers. It was difficult, But, God is so faithful and so trustworthy. He will be with you always every day.. He cares. I am praying for you and all prayer requests.
I would ask for prayer over my marriage and my husband. I’m in a very difficult marriage with verbal and emotional destruction. I believe prayer changes everything because hears us and sees all. Thank you.
I’m praying for you and your marriage. It’s a very difficult place to be-verbal and emotional abuse. I’ve been there and it is truly hard. God sees you and hears your prayers. HUGS to you.
Praying for all who are struggling and please keep my Mom in your prayers we are going through the journey of Alzheimers and I am truly struggling to cope and deal with it. Thank you and God Bless
I am struggling right now, and I confess I won’t ask for prayers except for one close friend for I am struggling with depression, and inward/outward anger. Maybe it is menopause, maybe its pride, maybe that the last two years have been such a struggle that I am slowly losing my mind. All, I know is this: I WANT OUT OF THIS PIT!!! I am afraid tomorrow I will go in and find I am fired for losing my temper at a co-worker just because he wasn’t doing things my way. (pride). Sometimes, I wonder about myself. I never doubt God is holy and righteous, but I haven’t been close t o either. I am finally putting to rest a sexual sin that I have been in and justifying. After all doesn’t the worst animal deserve to feel love? Well it wasn’t love on his part, but God loves me and can’t that be enough? God please change me from judgmental to encouraging, from demanding to asking, for strength to end this trial on solid rock, instead of my sinking further into my mire and mud. Forgive me Lord, Help me see nothing but good in everything you have made. In Jesus name Amen. Also, for those who are battling health conditions, bring your sweet whisper to their ears. In Jesus name Amen!
Stacey I will be praying for you depression is something I am familiar with. May the Lord help you throught your struggles for you are stronger than you think and you can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Thank you. I needed to hear this. I feel so vulnerable when I open up to others and ask for prayers. Even though I am always willing to help others and pray for others, I am such a private person that I use to keep everything about me and my needs inside of me. I am learning to ask for prayers and that I have many friends that want to help me but they have never known of my needs.
Thank you for your devotionals.
I like this:
Asking for prayer [ ] is about letting them walk by our side down a path we were never intended to walk alone.
My brother use to tell me I don’t believe in prayer when I said I would pray for him. I would answer back, I do. I wondered what I could say to friends, acquaintances or strangers. I found an answer.
Now I can say to friends that even though they do not believe in prayer I do. I cannot be with them in person but I feel like I am walking with them on their journey when I am praying.
I dont know why but I always feel guilty asking for prayers for myself, but not others. I really need to break that cycle, I can say this on here but honestly I have never told anyone that before. I have a chronic illness so I deal with everyday issues so I figure people may get tired of hearing it. There’s no cure, but I believe God can do anything! Praise him!!
I have sent prayers up to Heaven for all who are needing them. No one should feel as it they are alone or a burden we all share a Christian Heart. Whether your are praying for someone or asking for prayers for your situation know that you are never alone. God hears every prayer no matter who is praying.
We all struggle with so much that life is over whelming at times. People may have health issues for themselves, family member or friend, relationship struggles, financial, jobs, life changing events.
We need to be united in prayer no only for ourselves, family and friends but for this Nation.
God knows our trials and struggles most important he knows your heart.
God will make a way when there seems to be no way.
I believe it is so very important for me to realize that I AM SO VERY IMPORTANTIN GD’S EYES OF PRAYER that I can pray for myself to live, learn, love and/or care about someone else. And, I know my Awesome GOD loves everyone I pray about also. EVERYONE IN THIS OL’ WORLD IS VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR LORD. and now I know that burdens even bring myself and others closer/
It is okay to have “burdens” that we need help with.
Hey Kelly, I pray for you right now that you feel validated, and strong…to pray for yourself, and for others. Begin with “little steps- make little lists and then make each list alittle longer for yourself, and for others of what to pray about.” I know you can do it!! God does too!!
Thank you for this post, it is timely for me right now given that God has me on a journey right now. And it is hard to some times ask others to pray for me when I have asked them to pray for mom. Not that I can’t ask for more than one thing for them to pray about for me. I have struggled with pray myself for so many years thinking that GOD would answer someone else’s prayers before mine. I want to learn to do better with my prayer life. Thank you for post.
Charlotte, I was also going to ask for prayer to help me begin my day with the Lord. I will be praying for you as I am struggling alongside you on this. And I pray that our glorious Lord would surround you in His love both by his Holy Spirit but also through the hands and feet of Christians, His body, in your area. That he would bring godly relationships into your life who can love and support you. And if it is his will that one of those relationships might be a godly man who will walk alongside you as you serve Him.
I am asking for prayers for self-discipline and a hunger and thirst for God. I have been struggling spiritually for a few years and have been trying to be more consistent with a quiet time in the mornings again, but just feel so dry. Also, my husband and I have a business that has been our livelihood for the past 12 years and due to changes in healthcare and restructuring we have lost almost all our clients. Please pray for work to come our way, and if it doesn’t that we will know where to go find work. I have basically been a SAHM for the last 30 years except the little time it took to take care of the books, etc. My last daughter will be a senior in high school next year. I would love to be able to make it until she goes to college, but I don’t know if that is what the Lord has in store. Also, please pray that my husband and I will grow closer through this and find ways to work together instead of attacking each other. Thank you!
I so agree we need a good friend (or friends!) to go to when we need prayer. I am strengthened, encouraged and comforted when my dear friend agrees to go to the Father for me, and with me. And I don’t know of anything more important that I can offer someone in need, than prayer.
Thank you for this!