SEARCHLIGHT
Are you hesitant, shy, or embarrassed to ask believers to pray for you?
SCRIPTURE
Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon. Hebrews 13:18,19 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
Why do Christians not ask for prayer as the writer of Hebrews did? Perhaps they are embarrassed about the need. Maybe they have been unwise and got themselves in a big jam. Perhaps they are private people. They do not want others to know their “personal business.” Maybe they do not think their prayer need is significant or important enough to request prayer when there are so many greater, pressing needs elsewhere. Possibly they may think they do not deserve other believers praying for them because of how they have acted or some past sin. Then there is the possibility they may not utter the words, “Pray for me!” because of pride. They believe they can handle life situations by themselves.
Paul often requested prayer from believers. He humbly said, “As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.” [2 Thessalonians 3:1] Here the Apostle specifically requested prayer to be able to preach, teach, and reach many people for Jesus' honor and glory. He made a similar prayer request in Colossians 4:3. However, in his first letter to the Thessalonian Christians, he made an appeal for prayer without specifying the need. [1 Thessalonians 5:25] Another time, Paul had faced fear, despair, and danger to the point that he thought he may die. [2 Corinthians 1:8,9] He testified that the prayers of the Corinthian believers had greatly helped. [2 Corinthians 1:11] This man of great faith was very intentional in letting believers know that he needed prayer and that their prayers were powerfully influential in his life. One of the reasons he accomplished so much was because God’s people interceded for him.
You should be encouraged to ask believers to pray for you and you should also be encouraged to intercede for those in need of prayer. God’s power is greatly released when believers band together to pray over certain needs. Whether it be participating in a prayer meeting or prayer chain, God hears the prayers of His people. In addition, when you ask for prayer, your faith will increase because you have just publicly declared through your request that there is only one true God who hears and answers prayer.
James taught about the prayer of faith in James 5:13-16. “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Calling the elders to pray is a very public request for prayer.
ASK PEOPLE TO PRAY FOR YOU. Do not expect people to be mind-readers about what your needs are. Get over any hesitancy about asking people to pray for you. You need to invite God’s people to pray. Tell them. Request prayer. Praying people open wide the door to God’s will being done here on earth as it is in heaven, Satan’s purposes being thwarted, and personal Holy Spirit empowerment. You will receive answers to prayers and great encouragement from knowing that people are praying for you. Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, asked for prayer. [Jeremiah 37:3; 42:20] Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to join Him in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. So should you!
SOMETHING TO DO
Maybe you need to learn to pray for people other than yourself. Perhaps you may not ask for prayer because you feel guilty since you do not pray for others. Paul had no hesitancy to ask because he regularly prayed for other believers. See Romans 1:9,10, Ephesians 1:16, Philippians 1:3, Colossians 1:3 and 1 Thessalonians 1:2.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, from now on, I will ask people to pray for me more often when I am facing serious situations. And I will also pray for others with more sincerity and intensity because I realize the importance of doing so. AMEN!