The Never-ending Prayer List

[Dave G]

This is actually a serious concern of mine. Have you ever had so many people who ask you to pray for them when to avoid being a hypocrite, you have to say, "I probably won't remember that." Or do you say okay and let the chips fall where they may? Or maybe pray once and quickly and then forget about it? I remember in college people were asking for prayer if they stubbed their toe, and so on. The prayer requests could be quite ridiculous.
There are many people who just as a blanket request say, "Pray for me."
How do you know when to stop, if ever? Is that something that the Holy Spirit will let you know?
Also in college I remember a Campus Crusade leader who barely knew me told another member that I was a "prayer warrior." I immediately hid myself away and started praying in order to make this reputation true. The honest truth is, I am not and have never been a "prayer warrior."
So let me know...how do you handle your prayers, and are they in a list?

[Gideon Brown]

I like the topics you start, Dave. :smile:

Anyway, yes, I have an actual list of people and things to pray for (only way I can remember 'em all!). Sometimes I don't use it and I forget stuff. :doh:

If I hear of a prayer request that sounds, you know, trivial or whatever, usually what I try to do is make sure I pray for it right then and there so I don't forget later on. (Or rather, even if I forget later on, I still prayed for it once, at least.)

This is also one reason why I try not to ask people to pray for things for me unless it's something I really care deeply about.

[Rahab]

This is actually a serious concern of mine. Have you ever had so many people who ask you to pray for them when to avoid being a hypocrite, you have to say, "I probably won't remember that." Or do you say okay and let the chips fall where they may? Or maybe pray once and quickly and then forget about it? I remember in college people were asking for prayer if they stubbed their toe, and so on. The prayer requests could be quite ridiculous. That's a good question, Dave. If I happen to be face to face with the person, I will suggest we take a moment to pray together. I find it to be very comforting to them and it seems to have the immediate effect to soothe whichever anxiety or fear or distress they were experiencing.Usualy, I will offer some degree of guidance if it happens to be a topic I am familiar with from life experiences. If necessary, I can also refer them to someone I know is equipped to provide wise and productive counseling.

In the case of a "stubbed toe", I'd most probably suggest common sense type of action to help that toe heal! To include seing a doctor if the toe in question looks all blue and swollen.



There are many people who just as a blanket request say, "Pray for me." Sometime, Dave, folks will use that "blanket request" because they are also looking for simple human to human communication. Only as they find someone who will make himself/herself available, do they share more details allowing for both prayer on the spot and some degree of guidance. Sometime, the person himself/herself devoting time and attention is the answer to prayer.



How do you know when to stop, if ever? Is that something that the Holy Spirit will let you know?
Also in college I remember a Campus Crusade leader who barely knew me told another member that I was a "prayer warrior." I immediately hid myself away and started praying in order to make this reputation true. The honest truth is, I am not and have never been a "prayer warrior."
So let me know...how do you handle your prayers, and are they in a list? IMO, the Holy Spirit expects us to use our gifts. Some of us may be good listeners and have the discernment to help someone rid off negative emotions which often impair clear and common sense based reasoning. Some are encouragers and motivators. Others are compassionate folks who partake in someone else's pain or grief. I hold the belief that we pray in accordance to our gifts.

I do not have a list. I do not have a set prayer time. I sort of "take the pulse" of other folks and let myself THINK to God.

[Dave G]

I like the topics you start, Dave. :smile:

Anyway, yes, I have an actual list of people and things to pray for (only way I can remember 'em all!). Sometimes I don't use it and I forget stuff. :doh:

If I hear of a prayer request that sounds, you know, trivial or whatever, usually what I try to do is make sure I pray for it right then and there so I don't forget later on. (Or rather, even if I forget later on, I still prayed for it once, at least.)

This is also one reason why I try not to ask people to pray for things for me unless it's something I really care deeply about.

Thanks Tuck. :highfive:
That is actually what I do...I pray then and there. It was the only way I could think of to guarantee I would pray, I find it very difficult to remember all the things people need.

[Dave G]

That's a good question, Dave. If I happen to be face to face with the person, I will suggest we take a moment to pray together. I find it to be very comforting to them and it seems to have the immediate effect to soothe whichever anxiety or fear or distress they were experiencing.Usualy, I will offer some degree of guidance if it happens to be a topic I am familiar with from life experiences. If necessary, I can also refer them to someone I know is equipped to provide wise and productive counseling.

In the case of a "stubbed toe", I'd most probably suggest common sense type of action to help that toe heal! To include seing a doctor if the toe in question looks all blue and swollen.

Sometime, Dave, folks will use that "blanket request" because they are also looking for simple human to human communication. Only as they find someone who will make himself/herself available, do they share more details allowing for both prayer on the spot and some degree of guidance. Sometime, the person himself/herself devoting time and attention is the answer to prayer.

IMO, the Holy Spirit expects us to use our gifts. Some of us may be good listeners and have the discernment to help someone rid off negative emotions which often impair clear and common sense based reasoning. Some are encouragers and motivators. Others are compassionate folks who partake in someone else's pain or grief. I hold the belief that we pray in accordance to our gifts.

I do not have a list. I do not have a set prayer time. I sort of "take the pulse" of other folks and let myself THINK to God.

Good response, Rahab. I find it very mechanical to have a prayer list, and to go through the "five types" of prayer. It can be quite the legalism. I have yet to have a set prayer time, although I have tried to in the past. However, being mentally ill for 9 years has made that pretty impossible.

[Just Some Dude]

I tend to forget to pray if I don't have set times to schedule (not hyper-strict times, but general). I suppose others don't forget as easily as I do.

[Soyeong]

Prayer has always been one of those things that I intend to do more, but will probably not happen more until I actually carve out some time to set aside for it. When I tell someone I'll pray for them, I usualy say a prayer then and there and then whenever I see them or that thread next.

[BodyUnityDOTorg]

Bless you Dave,

Yes I say "yes." When they ask I say yes, and sometimes try to shoot a quick one off for them there, especially if they are physically there then I can lay hands on them comfort them with any Rhema scriptures that God gives me. But I almost always write it down just their name and what they need. That way I can go back later and commit to praying for them. Yes, the Lord is in control and leads me if I pray aright, He will remind me of people and it's like remember that one person, then I just follow God's leading. Elsewise, JSDude is right in saying, have a set time daily. I think Luther had 1-3 hours daily, if I make one consistent hour to meet with God and get in His presence and not only petition but also adore and listen to Him, it is a good day.

Hope it helps and isn't too late for this Word!

-Richard.

[Crow]

This is actually a serious concern of mine. Have you ever had so many people who ask you to pray for them when to avoid being a hypocrite, you have to say, "I probably won't remember that." Or do you say okay and let the chips fall where they may? Or maybe pray once and quickly and then forget about it? I remember in college people were asking for prayer if they stubbed their toe, and so on. The prayer requests could be quite ridiculous.
There are many people who just as a blanket request say, "Pray for me."
How do you know when to stop, if ever? Is that something that the Holy Spirit will let you know?
Also in college I remember a Campus Crusade leader who barely knew me told another member that I was a "prayer warrior." I immediately hid myself away and started praying in order to make this reputation true. The honest truth is, I am not and have never been a "prayer warrior."
So let me know...how do you handle your prayers, and are they in a list?

I've gotten some pretty ridiculous prayer requests too. The craziest I recall is when someone asked for prayer that her cat's upcoming litter consist of specific colors and a specific proportion of males to females. Are some things too foolish to pray about? I kinda think so. I didn't say anything, but the look on my face must have, because she went away.

I don't have a prayer time. If I have something specific I want to say to God, now is as good a time as any. My prayers aren't formal. More often than not they're a simple "thank you for ____" or "please help me to figure out what is best to do here." I hope the Lord isn't offend by prayers offered up while mowing the lawn, making jewelry, passing medications, or while driving, because he gets them from me in all of these situations. When I feel I need to set time aside, I do then. But it's not that often. I guess you could say that my personal style of prayer is more like an ongoing conversation than a soliloquy.

[BodyUnityDOTorg]

Brother nothing is too foolish to pray about but some things are more important then others. I hear you, sometimes I can't keep up with it so I flake and forget about them too if I don't write it down. Thank God always, Amen! and Just like brother Lawrence had a consistent communion with God, you also are doing right in that. I did read Juanita Bynum's the Threshing Floor, an excellent book that allows for a pattern of praying through the tabernacle. But honestly, patterned or not, Brother Lawrence notes that it's not about art or science but about a pure heart that is loving on God. We don't want our time with Him to be too trivial though, or common right? I call on Him all day long just to get by, but when He knows that every morning for a little while I'll make time it's like meeting a friend. If He needs me to pray for someone He can count on me to be there, and He shows up too. Just a thought (or 15). Be blessed in it though!

[Crow]

Um....I'm not a guy.

And I draw the line on some prayer requests. Cat gender/color requests are one.

I guess at the heart of it is my belief that God does not exist to be Santa Claus. I believe that He's not the god of finding carelessly misplaced items, (although I'll admit to having tried that) or the god of passing exams you chose not to study for. Nor do I believe that He's the god of Ted's Tornado to win in the sixth when the odds against it are astronomical.

Thinking on it more, I unconsciously triage prayer requests. They go something like this--

1. Needs. These always get prayed for, even if it's a quick one. Health. Employment. (unless it's something like "let me quit my good job here at the post office and get one as a studio wrestler.") Safety.

2. Wants. The "help my kids to want to apply themselves in school" prayers are a good want. I would pray for that. Help me or whoever gain understanding of God-- good one too.

And then there are.....

3. Over the top wants. Gender and color selection in cats. Hit the lottery so I can take a Carribean cruise. Get selected as a contestant on (name of your choice) game show. Who wins the football game, and with what point spread. I don't pray for stuff like this when asked.

[BodyUnityDOTorg]

I apologize sister, be blessed in it all the more my misunderstanding.

I do agree with the situations you said. If I'm allowed to interceed, I tend to simply pray forth the will of God First, then I try to pray according to His Word and His will as He already said it in His Word, So I'm praying verses in situations that I believe the Spirit of God is backing me on. I do believe that we should call Him on everything though, because it shows intimacy and it agrees with Him that He is so in love with us and concerned with every single aspect of our lives. For the cat gender colour thing...ummm....well I could tell them to stand in faith and pray it forth themselves, and then leave it in God's hands. That's a hard one, sorry you were placed in that scenario. and yes ma'am, I thank you for your fellowship!

Be blessed sister crow and that in all good things now in Jesus' Name, Amen.

-Richard.