Thought I'd share a perspective about prayer requests. I recently saw a comment about someone asking for prayer for her pet. And I think someone may have responded inappropriately. I don't recall where I saw it or who they were so I thought I'd just offer my input in general about prayer requests in the off chance that they see it.
Philippians 4:6 says to ask God for things. I don't think anything is too big, or too small to ask.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 - pray without ceasing
Ephesians 6:18 - pray always
With these verses in mind I think we are welcome to ask God for all things, but I do think they should follow God's moral law. And some things I will ask God for, but may not feel comfortable asking others to pray for.
For example, I don't want to ask God to help me commit a sin, and I wouldn't feel right asking God to help me hurt someone else, etc. Some things may seem small, but may not be to someone else. Pets to some are their family members they love. And I think they are gifts from God to allow us to have that unconditional loving attachment and feeling of joy. So, I understand how people want to pray for them.
I also respect that others may feel differently. Some have been terrorized and attacked by dogs for example and that could be hard for that person to genuinely pray for someone else's dog, for example, so I think that person simply should pray for other things instead. I personally don't feel right praying for material things or anything that can easily become an idol and puts an emphasis on treasure on earth, rather than treasure in heaven.
I feel more comfortable praying for a strengthened relationship with someone's family or to learn how to trust God more. Etc. So, I think in some circumstances if I cannot genuinely pray for a certain thing then I simply pray for those I can and maybe someone else is willing to pray for someone's specific challenge.
Also, some want their exes back, but I instead pray for God's will. God bless.
I am happy to pray for many requests, but, like you say, some appear to be "worldy" desiring material comfort. Even so, we do not know a person's actual needs, so I still try to pray with discernment. Some requests I leave for others to pray for, but I do try to respond to as many as I am led to pray for. We have not heard from Grace lately. She is such a good prayer warrior. I hope she is o.k. There are others who we haven't heard from for a while. I wish we could contact them. But hopefully, we'll hear from them soon. I pray for them even though they do not submit a request.
I know that I have a burden to pray for people. So I do. Not only here at this site.
There are many coming here searching and the care and concern we show for them will push them to Christ or away from him.
There are some who are returning to the faith. We want to love them and restore them to the father.
I'm going to keep praying for people.
I am currently trusting the Lord for some big big things cuz I don't serve a small God! So I know that the "enemy" will be attacking me as well. But I'm rejoicing and I WILL pray through it! God is good and he wants us to bring everything to him. Even a hangnail. He just wants us to fellowship with him and cast all our cares upon him.
I don't want to make anyone feel like they can't bring some things to the Lord. He cares about everything! So I find a way to pray for every request.
I did have to stop responding to every one individually because all I've got to work with with is a giant heart full of love and faith and a teeny tiny cell phone. Lol. And my eyesight isn't what it used to be.
Plus I've got kids and grandkids and mom and pets and homeless etc to care for. I do a lot of my praying in the middle of the night when everyone else is sleeping.
There are a lot of y'all I pray for without seeing your request. People that God has put on my heart. Like LaTonya, April, Mason who lost his grandma awhile back, David who's family members names I know by heart and I call them out no matter what his daily request is. Then there's E , and someone who's a regular that asked for prayer to find that land to build a home. I pray from my heart for y'all. And Charles Robert Northup.
This community has been such a blessing to me during my return to the Father. I learn from you. I let you pray for me. So that means I've learned to trust again. God is so good. And I'm growing in my knowledge of the word and faith.
I was caring for my elderly mom who had come down with an illness so I was asked by her to come and stay in her home to care for her and her two dogs.
Then I was asked by my sister to watch a new puppy for a couple days. My mom says "it's ok watch him here at my house". But I wasn't told the puppy wasn't potty trained and I would have him for 5 days. My mom has no yard and doesn't want me taking the puppy out for fear that someone would cause trouble for her. (Her upstairs neighbor is openly anti Christ and he brags about his voodoo doll. He bashes Jesus, the Bible, and Christians openly. And doesn't have a problem saying so to my face.)
So the puppy is peeing and pooping everywhere, around the clock, and I'm doing my best to care for everyone but feeling pretty overwhelmed.
Then I get a call my loved one has a court date and because I'm a Christian and his mom, I want to be there and it's very stressful but I'm trying to keep it all together, it's up a huge flight of stairs and my Athsma flares up plus now I have to find someone to watch the puppy so I can go home and shower up for court.
And all that was only the second day.
I'm feeling pretty exhausted and overwhelmed but I'm praying a lot, reading my bible, and trying to keep a good attitude. Loving Jesus and his people.
I go to my happy place, where I feel like the Lord CALLED me to pray for others. I am Grace. That's my nickname. I had not even been able to check my email until things finally calmed down yesterday. Days later. Now I've picked up a little lung bug. Not feeling well. And I see see 5 or 6 responses from a Christian brother followed by one that feels a tad bit explosive. And it stabs me in the heart a little bit. And it feels like my world crumbles a little bit. Because someone thinks my request is petty and offensive.
I swallow the lump in my throat, Wipe the tears from my eyes, and thank the Lord. God bless.
Donna, ok. Just was wondering. Grace is a lovely nickname. My given name means "mighty with the sword." So, it reminds me to use the Word of God correctly, because of its power and authority when used rightly
Amen. From my understanding, the main ingredients to an effective prayer is faith ( Matthew 21:22) and pure motives (or pure heart). ( James 4:3). I think some miss the 2nd category- God knows our heart.
That's admirable you are praying for others so much and genuinely care. Thank you for sharing God's love and lifting others up. God bless.
I am the pet lady. He was a 3 pound chaweener. I have prayed for someone's cat that had a tumor recently. My first reaction was is this person being genuine? The Lord said yes. We have inside pets in our family that have been faithful friends and companions longer than some of the people in our family. They are blessings. Created by God for lots of purposes. I Thank the Lord for them
Philippians 4:6 says to ask God for things. I don't think anything is too big, or too small to ask.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 - pray without ceasing
Ephesians 6:18 - pray always
With these verses in mind I think we are welcome to ask God for all things, but I do think they should follow God's moral law. And some things I will ask God for, but may not feel comfortable asking others to pray for.
For example, I don't want to ask God to help me commit a sin, and I wouldn't feel right asking God to help me hurt someone else, etc. Some things may seem small, but may not be to someone else. Pets to some are their family members they love. And I think they are gifts from God to allow us to have that unconditional loving attachment and feeling of joy. So, I understand how people want to pray for them.
I also respect that others may feel differently. Some have been terrorized and attacked by dogs for example and that could be hard for that person to genuinely pray for someone else's dog, for example, so I think that person simply should pray for other things instead. I personally don't feel right praying for material things or anything that can easily become an idol and puts an emphasis on treasure on earth, rather than treasure in heaven.
I feel more comfortable praying for a strengthened relationship with someone's family or to learn how to trust God more. Etc. So, I think in some circumstances if I cannot genuinely pray for a certain thing then I simply pray for those I can and maybe someone else is willing to pray for someone's specific challenge.
Also, some want their exes back, but I instead pray for God's will. God bless.
I am happy to pray for many requests, but, like you say, some appear to be "worldy" desiring material comfort. Even so, we do not know a person's actual needs, so I still try to pray with discernment. Some requests I leave for others to pray for, but I do try to respond to as many as I am led to pray for. We have not heard from Grace lately. She is such a good prayer warrior. I hope she is o.k. There are others who we haven't heard from for a while. I wish we could contact them. But hopefully, we'll hear from them soon. I pray for them even though they do not submit a request.
There are many coming here searching and the care and concern we show for them will push them to Christ or away from him.
There are some who are returning to the faith. We want to love them and restore them to the father.
I'm going to keep praying for people.
I am currently trusting the Lord for some big big things cuz I don't serve a small God! So I know that the "enemy" will be attacking me as well. But I'm rejoicing and I WILL pray through it! God is good and he wants us to bring everything to him. Even a hangnail. He just wants us to fellowship with him and cast all our cares upon him.
I don't want to make anyone feel like they can't bring some things to the Lord. He cares about everything! So I find a way to pray for every request.
I did have to stop responding to every one individually because all I've got to work with with is a giant heart full of love and faith and a teeny tiny cell phone. Lol. And my eyesight isn't what it used to be.
Plus I've got kids and grandkids and mom and pets and homeless etc to care for. I do a lot of my praying in the middle of the night when everyone else is sleeping.
There are a lot of y'all I pray for without seeing your request. People that God has put on my heart. Like LaTonya, April, Mason who lost his grandma awhile back, David who's family members names I know by heart and I call them out no matter what his daily request is. Then there's E , and someone who's a regular that asked for prayer to find that land to build a home. I pray from my heart for y'all. And Charles Robert Northup.
This community has been such a blessing to me during my return to the Father. I learn from you. I let you pray for me. So that means I've learned to trust again. God is so good. And I'm growing in my knowledge of the word and faith.
Thank you all. God bless you today and always.
I was caring for my elderly mom who had come down with an illness so I was asked by her to come and stay in her home to care for her and her two dogs.
Then I was asked by my sister to watch a new puppy for a couple days. My mom says "it's ok watch him here at my house". But I wasn't told the puppy wasn't potty trained and I would have him for 5 days. My mom has no yard and doesn't want me taking the puppy out for fear that someone would cause trouble for her. (Her upstairs neighbor is openly anti Christ and he brags about his voodoo doll. He bashes Jesus, the Bible, and Christians openly. And doesn't have a problem saying so to my face.)
So the puppy is peeing and pooping everywhere, around the clock, and I'm doing my best to care for everyone but feeling pretty overwhelmed.
Then I get a call my loved one has a court date and because I'm a Christian and his mom, I want to be there and it's very stressful but I'm trying to keep it all together, it's up a huge flight of stairs and my Athsma flares up plus now I have to find someone to watch the puppy so I can go home and shower up for court.
And all that was only the second day.
I'm feeling pretty exhausted and overwhelmed but I'm praying a lot, reading my bible, and trying to keep a good attitude. Loving Jesus and his people.
I go to my happy place, where I feel like the Lord CALLED me to pray for others. I am Grace. That's my nickname. I had not even been able to check my email until things finally calmed down yesterday. Days later. Now I've picked up a little lung bug. Not feeling well. And I see see 5 or 6 responses from a Christian brother followed by one that feels a tad bit explosive. And it stabs me in the heart a little bit. And it feels like my world crumbles a little bit. Because someone thinks my request is petty and offensive.
I swallow the lump in my throat, Wipe the tears from my eyes, and thank the Lord. God bless.
I will continue to pray for you and the things you mentioned. Thanks for filling us in a bit on your siuation.
Also, are you saying that you and GraceAmbassador (who posts on here are the same person)?
That's admirable you are praying for others so much and genuinely care. Thank you for sharing God's love and lifting others up. God bless.
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