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!!!
Enter to WIN
I’m giving away my favorite prayer journal! Leave a comment or prayer, you’ll be entered to win.
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
Order a journal for yourself, or a friend, by clicking the image below to order on Amazon!
I do not know if it’s just me or if perhaps everybody else encountering issues with your blog.
It seems like some of the written text in your content are running off the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know if this
is happening to them too? This may be a issue with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
Kudos
Good morning, I came across this study off of Right Now Media.mi am a follower of Christ and love Hom and His word so deeply as well. After times I to feel defeated by life sercomstances and listen to often to the lies of the enemy.,so I thank you for this study of being confident in Gods word. And claiming victory for sweet Jesus. I pray for lol out there who might be feeling pressure of doubt and worthlessness to hear Gods calling them in His loving voice , saying you are my beloved, who I created and love fully.
Please pray for me in this area as well. Thank you. And amen, yes we have confidence in God alone.
Remarkable issues here. I am very happy to peer your
article. Thank you so much and I’m taking a look forward to contact you.
Will you please drop me a mail?
I am at Urgent Care trying to get to bottom of abdominal pain & pain in back. Have tried to get into my doctor for over 2 weeks but not happening. Please pray for answers to what is happening.
Prayer for my lower back as God had brought healing but two events in less then a week and I’m feeling the pain. Jesus Your my healer! Touch every woman going through this study. In Jesus Name. Amen.
I am at Urgent Care trying to get to bottom of abdominal pain & pain in back. Have tried to get into my doctor for over 2 weeks but not happening. Please pray for answers to what is happening.
I am sorry as I thought I was posting my request. I will pray for the removal of the pain in your lower back & a return to your peace. God’s blessings to you!
Fantastic web site. A lot of helpful info here. I am sending it
to several pals ans additionally sharing in delicious.
And certainly, thanks on your effort!
Please pray for my grandson AJ who has been diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome (kidney disease in infants), high blood pressure, an enlarged heart, and asthma at the age of one. I ask that he be healed if it be God’s will an that he can live a normal healthy life. I also pray for Sarah to overcome her fears and walk in total confidence with her head lifted high knowing who she belong to. She is an heir to the kingdom of God and worth more than rubies. May you touch her dear God and let her know that she is your child and that she doesn’t have to feel anything but the power and love from you. In Jesus Name I pray Amen
Please pray for me to overcome my fears of rejection and lack of confidence. This is my first time asking for prayer here. I’m sometimes embarrassed to let anyone know how I’m feeling, so please pray for me.
Sarah you don’t have to feel embarassed we all have experienced these thoughts and feelings. Know that you are not alone, you just have to find ways to build up your self-confidence. You are a child of the most High God and he does not give us a Spirit of fear, but of love and a sound mind. Matthew 6:33 says to Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all things will be added unto you. Walk in this verse, knowing that with God all things are possible to him/her that believeth.
God has brought me here tonight. I usually don’t ask for prayer because so many passes judgment without knowing the full story. But God wants me here so here I am. please pray for me to trust in God. My life is falling apart all around me and the devil has been on the attack. I feel like I am drowning with no one to help me. So please say a prayer for me.
I was listening to the radio and herd the story about Renee and went to the web site proverbs31 and I was reading a few thing on the site that I could relate to and then I read about the prayer situation and I feel the same way about adding burdens so I’m asking for prayer for me and my family. I’ve been released from state jail about two weeks and my mind and others telling me all these things I need to do but I promise God that I was going to summit to him and I’m finding this hard to do with all the things I need to do for myself and my 15 year old son without a job and a home. for right now I need strong men and women of God to help keep my promise to God. please pray for me
I need prayer for my confidence. It is wavering and is most times null and void. I’ve been this way all of my life. It has become very comfortable to be insecure and have no confidence in myself. I am reading the book A Confident Heart. I’ve only read the first chapter and I am already blessed by it. I cannot wait to continue.
I thank God for you and the tirkbyou are doing to encourage believers to pray.
From what I have read on this website , I belive my prayer life and hence relationship with God will be greatly enhanced got your prayer journal. I tend to struggle with prayer. I would like to have it please.
Thank you for sharing Renee! Your work has brought me so much more closer to God!
Would love the prayer journal! Forever grateful!!!!
My husband is starting a new job and the first couple of months are going to be hard financially. Pray that we can trust the Lord in all things.
I ask for prayers to lead me out of the pit I am in. My husband of almost 18 years (together for 22) left 2 months ago. I found out from a family member yesterday that he says its for good an there is no hope of reconciliation. I have been with him longer than on my own. We met in high school and I went from living at my parent’s to his house. I don’t know any other way in life. We also have a 17 yo son who I know is confused in this time. On top of this I suffer from MS and I’m not sure what my insurance situation will be in the next few months.
I have made it to the point that I just want to give up. I cry out to Jesus constantly. I am so tired of the tears and don’t know how much longer I can go on like this.
I thought this post was fantastic! It really amazed me how well you (Renee) did not walk through this struggle on your own.
I need prayer as I prepare for a BIG phase in life at my local church: being an on call minister/prayer partner. Please pray that I will keep things confidential and that I will love on those who need prayer after the first service. Please also pray that when someone asks for prayer regarding threats or suicide, that I will go to my leader and call 911 right away. This job is a BIG leap of faith from just being on the prayer team online. God has apparently entrusted me with so much MORE in the church as I work to help and be the “hands and feet” of Christ Jesus.
Thank you,
Tatiana Grubb
Thanks , I’ve recently been searching for info approximately this subject for a while and yours is the best I’ve
discovered till now. But, what about the bottom line?
Are you certain about the source?