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
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Hi Renee,
I am so glad to hear that everything turned out okay for your husband, and that he is doing much better!!
Thank-you for encouraging us to put our prayer requests out there… I am in desperate need of answered prayers right now, and if it’s okay, I will share a little about what’s been taking place….
Please be praying for my Dad and I. My parents divorced when I was 9, and I’m now 46. There have been more situations and events that have led to hurt feelings and frustrations than you could ever imagine. There are 4 of us kids. I have a real sister, a half brother and a step-brother, and almost the entire family is “broken”. We desperately need prayer & healing!! PLEASE be praying for the family of TOM HICE in Oregon!!
I need prayer for my emotions, have anxiety and depression. Thank you for praying
> A1528 : Emmener se dit pour des choses qui se déplacent d’elles-mêmes ( le canal emmène l’eau) ou pour des véhicules (le chauffeur emmène sa voiture). Pour des choses que l’on porte avec soi en s’éloignant, il vaut mieux dire, en effet, emporter.Néanmoins, le TLFI n’est pas si catégorique et cite Cèi;ne:«J&rsquolemméne tout le pèze dans ma poche (CÉLINE, Mort à crédit, 1936, p. 516).»
please pray for my daughter today in surgery to try to find out why her health is deteriorating. They have tested her for everything … everywhere … She Wants God to Get All The Glory!
My husband and I have been trying to start a family for 4 years and we cannot seem to hold the pregnancy. I’ve had 4 losses and I’m starting to really feel loss of hope. Please pray that we can get pregnant and have a successful pregnancy with no more miscarriages.
My husband is applying for the police department and so far has passed all the steps. Please pray with me that he gets a reply soon that he has been accepted to the academy please.
Thank you and God bless.
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I am feeling The Lord prompting me to lead a small group for women in my church . Please pray i would be lead by the Holy Spirit as I step out in this area. If feel drawn to “A Confident Heart” because so many ladies struggle in this area . Area there any lesson plans or a work book available to use for group study ?
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I struggle daily to ask myself, IF I need to ask for prayer. I am nearly bedbound due to chronic disease with not cure. My ability to walk just a few feet sends me into panic attacks because of the swelling of my body. Thank you, Renee, you are an angel.
Dear Jesus, I lift Rose and her precious husband up to You to comfort during this trial, and to give them Your special peace that can come from no other hand, than Yours. Bring her friends and family around her, for the physical love and support she needs right now. Be near, Lord Jesus!!
Dear friends, please pray for a broken relationship between myself and my sister. We need the light and truth of Jesus in our communications, and past hurts, and real forgiveness for the future.
I’m praying for you and your sister, debbie!
God, please help debbie and her sister feel your presence as they try to move past some tough things that happened between them. Please help them to take your guidance and begin to see each other as you see them. Please help them and each of us to see that we are all broken people who have hurt others, but that those who reach out and sincerely want a connection to be repaired can do so with your help. There is nothing you cannot repair. Thank you for being the great restorer of souls and relationships. Amen.
For my own family, please pray for guidance financially, as my husband and I are trying to figure out how to support ourselves and our two children in the bay area without sacrificing time together as a family, given that our bills are more than half of our income as educators. Thank you!
My husband has been extremely I’ll since October and we have been in the hospital with multiple surgeries and ICU stays! I am there! I hesitate to lean on my friends for prayer because I have asked for so many and yet I need them to walk with me in this journey and to be God’s hands and shoulders for me! Thank you for this assrance in this! God is good, all the time God is good!
Thank you again for the inspiration!!
Thank you for this, Renee. My husband and I are walking through health issues right now and the prayers of our people have been more than I could ever ask for.
I need prayer for my shoulder. I fell October 30 and broke my shoulder. I had surgery in November it failed. In February I had surgery to repair it but infection was present and it couldn’t be repaired. I was sent home with IV antibiotic ever day with nurse coming twice a week to check level of antibiotic. In April I went back for third surgery.The same thing happened infection was still there.Sent home with IV antibiotic the same as last time. I have two weeks more of antibiotic then May 31st I go back to surgeon to schedule the fourth surgery. I’m believing that infection will be gone and shoulder be repaired. I believe in healing.
Hi Rhonda! Praying for you! I understand where you are more than you know. Praying peace and blessings will flood your life!
My prayer request is for me. I would like God to bring a special relationship into my life. After an abusive marriage and even worse divorce, I am tired of being alone. I would like to feel like an adult, desirable woman, not just a part-time Mom.
Thank you so much for sharing this today. I know first hand how tough it is to ask for prayers for myself and my family. However, today I am going to ask for prayers for my daughter and her family. They had a little boy about 6 weeks ago. He has not been sleeping and my daughter is exhausted. She took him to the doctor today and she thinks he has MSPI. Since my daughter is nursing, she now has to change her diet completely… no milk or soy protein. These are hidden is so many foods… She has also been trying to find a work at home job that she can do when her husband is home. Unfortunately, there are so many scams that she doesn’t know how to find something legitimate. If she doesn’t find anything in the next week, she will have to go back to her job and they are not “mom friendly”. I truly appreciate any prayers sent up for my daughter.
Abba Father, I lay Rhonda’s financial burdens at your feet. Guide her to persevere through this difficult hardship, never knowing how or when monies will make ends meet. Open her eyes & ears to see & hear your awesome power & love for her & her family.
Father God, my niece & her family need you BIG TIME today. The arrival of Henry Parker is a blessing & tough to handle. Precious baby has been born wt special needs. Prepare your little lamb & family for what’s ahead.
Philippians 4:13
Heavenly Father, we know that this sweet little guy was placed in this family for a reason. Be with each of them as they go through this time of adjustments, not only the lack of sleep and all that a new baby brings with it, but also with his special needs. Please give them the strength and the love that they will need to go through this. Thank you Sweet Lord!
Thanks for sharing, really needed this today. We are struggling very much with financial issues and need prayer so much. It is very hard to ask for prayer for this matter. I am totally leaning on God for every aspect of my life and thanking him for providing every month just what we need. It is still a struggle not knowing what tomorrow will bring or if we will have any money in 6 months and where we will be…just trusting God.
Please be in prayer for me…I am being attacked on all sides…financial, work, stress, family and relationship. I am a single mom of 4 (20, 18, 17, 14) who has been divorced for over 10 years…I have prayed for someone to come into our lives who would love me and be a wonderful male role model for me kids….I met a man in Sept. and things were perfect…we don’t fight…we were immensely happy and my kids were crazy for him as he was for them….he asked to slow things down at christmas (he has only been divorced about 3 years)…we did…and then we broke up in March….after a few weeks, we saw one another and realized how much we missed one another and things were good…not back together but better….now it seems we are drifting apart further and further…we both have a lot of things coming at each of us…I have been praying and don’t feel that this is over and not giving up….I pray that whatever Eric needs to work out to come back to me and this relationship he works out…and that he will find no peace, satisfaction, happiness until he has returned to me and this relationship….please join me in praying for this.
Suzanne, I pray for you right now and pray God will show you the right path to follow on all of your requests. Financially I definitely understand and pray he supplies your monthly needs . I pray on your mate situation God will either open or close that door completely. If he isn’t the right one just move on God has someone better for you. Father give Suzaane peace over all of this and comfort her during these struggles.
Thanks for this great insight. I would like a prayer journal to help me organize and get started and be consistent in my effort.
I have always been the one to pray for others. Out of pride rarely asked for prayer for myself. Feeling so hopeless and ashame that I take so many blessings for granted. My family is so in need of prayer today. From health issues to possible job loss it seems these trials will never end. Feeling broken with so much unbelief and hopelessness.
praying for you…I know the feeling of hopelessness…but it is not what God wants for us…nor is it of Him…Praying for strength and encouragement for you and your family….and that your faith is renewed…God is an awesome God and He is with you in the darkness….trust in Him