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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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
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Come With Me, I Love that ! What a wonderful way o express our prayer needs. Truly given to be a blessing. Thank you. t.
Dear God, Thank you for the call you have placed on Myrinda’s life and for her boldness to share. I pray that you would fill her with hope, joy and peace in this calling on the days to come. I pray that you would reassure her that fear does not come from you. I have struggled with fear too and I pray that you would fill us both up with so much of you that we have no room for fear. God I pray that you would fill her with wisdom and show her your path along each step as she needs it. God I pray that she would lean on You throughout this journey You have caller her to and that she would trust in You. God please pour out your favor, protection, and blessing on her. In Jesus name, Amen.
Thank you for righting this Renee and giving us the opportunity to pray for each other and ask for prayer.
I would like to ask for prayer for my business. It has been going backward some days and it can be discouraging. I know God has brought me to this and couldnt let me get it out of my mind. Please pray for me that God would bless my business and turn things around in a mighty way and that I could help my family and other families. Please pray that I would be bold when needed and caring when needed. Please pray that I would be the leader that I need to be and trust for God to bring the increase. Thank you so much!!!
Myrinda I am praying Romans 8:15 for you:
“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.””
You can do all things through Christ!
Please pray for protection for my great nephews – Marc (12), Christian (9) and Jordan(6), to be kept away from their grandfathers family – they do not have a Godly legacy.
I want to start by saying THANK YOU for your obiedence in God in Sharing your stories with us & inspiring us to walk into our calling.
I was never a big reader & I’m trying my best to make reading a habit. I know that I’ve been called to lead not just at work but also called to lead in the Kingdom of Gods Minisrty and I let fear set in before I begin.
I’m praying for WISDOM, knowledge & great experiences from God as I go forward in my journey! I bind the spirit of fear before it begin! In the name of Jesus
I want to thank you for being a teacher Elaine. It is such an important job. I will pray for the end of your school year and Luise.
I would appreciate prayer for my left ankle and foot. They have have been sore since October. I work 12 hour shifts as a nursing assistant. I
It is such a blessing to be able to share our fears, concerns, needs, and joys with others. I have a wonderful Bible study group and even though we are not meeting now, we got together 2 nights ago and prayed for our dear sister Luise who will be having a hysterectomy because of endometrial cancer. It was a special time of crying, hugs, love, and peace.
I pray that God will bring healing and peace to her and for her family.
As I come to the end of the school year, I pray that God will give me strength and wisdom and peace as I do reports and end my time with my precious little ones.
Sandy, praying God will be close to you and meet your needs. I need healing.
Praying for the needs above. God is our Healer, he restores, he comforts he guides he leads. He is awesome and yes I needed to read this. I’m the first person who will pray for everyone but at times feel shy to ask for myself. I think I have to be strong how can I ask for help then that makes me weak or lacking in faith. Silly thoughts. But today I have a huge burden and need everyone to help me storm heavens gates. I have a job interview this Friday and I so need this job. Financial struggles will always be but I know I can depend on God. He has always been my provider. I am working as a contract employee but I’m applying for full time permanent. I love the company and would be so happy to land the job. Please help me pray God gives me grace before the panel interviewers. One of my greatest weekends is interviewing. I’ve never been a job hopper and selling myself are not my strong points so I really need your prayers. Thank you in advance.
Renee,
This is a blessing. I so enjoy praying as an intercessor. I have never looked at it from their point of view. As I read your words that they might be left out of the joy in sharing I knew I was guilty. Obviously I was reading for a reason. I don’t like to share mine, just in case. Being private has a purpose but not to that point. I always remind people to allow me to bless you when they refuse to accept.
I will not keep my needs to self anymore. Wow, I could have been blessed and blessed someone.
Thank you.
Marsha
Patricia, praying for your nephew. Praying for healing and for peace for the family. My mother had Leukemia and I know the pain. God is our Healer and hears our prayers.
I need prayer for a dear friend who is suffering from kidney stones after just having surgery for gall stones. She is out of sick days at work and feels the need to keep working. She is in extreme pain. Please pray for quick healing and peace from the strain of working. She has two children at home which makes it difficult to come home and rest after a tough day at school.
Thank you for your prayers and for reminding us how important it is to share our needs as we would want others to feel free to share with us.
I still have this original email from back in April flagged. I have a very hard time asking for prayers on myself. Today I really needed this reminder to ask for myself and it be okay.
I need prayer for my nephew who has leukemia he resently had a relapse and we are starting back with hard chemo the last time he had bad reactions to the meds and was put in the ICU . I know prayer is strong and God will heal him soon. I also wanted to thank my cousin who shared this her son went in for surgery and there were huge complication he is doing good now prasie God thank y’all for all y’all do
I know I am extremely hesitant to ask for prayers for fear of being criticized which has happened to me twice from these supposed prayer groups you see on TV. So now, I shy away from asking for prayer. When I am going through a storm of life, the last thing I need is someone whose job is to pray instead criticizes me and makes me feel so inferior. I am not perfect and these prayer warriors need to know that everyone is not perfect like they are. I know right now I desperately need a prayer for me but I will not ask for one.
I need prayer for a guy friend of mine because we both like each other but there’s an age difference between us. He’s younger than me and he’s worried about what people will think. Will you pray that he gets a new perspective because we love each other and want to be with each other. Thank you.
At best, we all are needy people in some respect. Thanks for sharing. Blessings and comfort to all who shared.
Father please help Alisa’s family who do not know you to come to understand who you are and want you in control of their lives. Please meet the health needs of her and family members who need that. Only you can…and you can! Thank you for your blessings.
Please help me to trust you through difficult circumstances. Help me not to fear but to focus on you.
Thank you for praying women!
Lord, thank you for giving Renee the words we needed to read today. For the reminder to ask others to pray for our needs just as we pray for their needs. Father, I lift up Alisa family that they may hear Your sweet voice to turn to You. Touch those who are sick and strengthen them. Father, please open my son’s eyes and heart to the truth that I have always loved him and for him to let go of his anger towards me. Amen
Thank you for your devotion. I have many things weighing on my mind. Please pray for me to know what My family and I should do. We are very unhappy with the church we are in. We love the church family but don’t agree with several things that the pastor has said. We need guideness.
Dear God I pray for Alisa and her family who aren’t followings. Also, dear Gid I lift her family up to you to heal them. Thank you God. In Jesus name. Amen.
Thank you for these encouraging words. It is so true in my life. I am guilty of denying others the opportunity to share in the work of God because of my own insecurity. My prayer request is for my family, unsaved loved ones and discernment in dealing with difficult situations we are facing. Thank you for praying!