Thoughts On Unspoken Prayer Requests
A Facebook friend asked the following question:
How in the world do you pray for “special unspoken” prayer requests? If we don’t know what we are praying for, how can we effectively pray? I just don’t see unspoken requests as something that is Biblical. Is it? Are there any examples of this in the Bible?
This question caught my eye because I have struggled for a long time with unspoken prayer requests.
Growing up, we attended a church that would ask for prayer requests before the Wednesday evening prayer meeting. Every week, there would be a number of “unspoken” requests, many times from the same people week after week. Whether they always had the same need or just never felt like they could share their needs publicly, I don’t know but I confess that I was never able to bear their burdens because I did not know what their burden was.
I will not go so far as to say there is never a need to ask for prayer when you’re unable to disclose the reason you’re asking, and there are times that I do pray for unspoken requests if made by someone I know, but I will say that it is much better, when possible, to find someone that you know will pray and explain to them exactly what you’re going through. Make sure it is a legitimate prayer need and not just an excuse to gossip about your spouse or your children but, if you truly have a burden or something in your life you’re struggling with, it’s good to open up and know that someone is standing with you and sharing your load. They may also be able to give you some Biblical counsel that God will use to help you or your situation.
It is not a sin to ask prayer for an unspoken request or a private matter, and I do realize that God knows your need whether you tell another soul or not, but, as someone who is a strong believer in prayer, I am more likely to pray for a person who has shared a specific request. I will not pass that request on to another person without permission but I will pray.
If you are one who asks prayer for unspoken requests, I am not condemning you. I can’t say that I would never post a vague prayer request but, if you’re able, it is helpful if you can give some description of the nature of the prayer. Sometimes, for me, it may be as simple as I’m struggling with something, I’m discouraged, I need wisdom on a decision, etc. If I can give any information without airing dirty laundry about me or someone else, I will. If I have friends who are going through marriage trouble, I may be really burdened for them but I won’t ask others to pray if I can’t share the situation. Instead, I will intercede for them. Many ask for prayer and never pray themselves. That is not the point of prayer at all. If you are not willing to pray for this need yourself, don’t use “prayer requests” as a way to get sympathy. If you have a relationship with God, your prayer is as effective as anyone’s. Don’t underestimate that but, if you have even one friend standing with you in prayer, it is even more powerful (Matthew 18:20). It does not need to be a room full of people praying for a need they don’t know and may not care about.
I think sometimes people just want to know people love them and feel some support. These are times to maybe admit “I’m struggling or going through a difficult valley. Would you pray for me?” This is similar to asking prayer for an unspoken request but it still gives the intercessor an idea of what to pray for.
Scripture talks a lot about prayer, the importance of bearing each other’s burdens, lifting up those who are weak, etc. I do not take these things lightly. Interceding for others is a tremendous privilege. But the Church needs to be the Church. We need to let others know that we care. We need to stop gossiping about our Brothers and Sisters who are down and out. Maybe then more people will feel like they can share their needs and believe that God will intervene in their situation or at least give them strength to go through it.
These are my thoughts on the subject, but I am happy to hear yours. Regardless of ones who have unspoken requests or ones you can freely share, don’t stop praying. God loves you and will answer in His time.
I agree that unspoken prayer is sometimes problimatic, however, having been in ministry for over 35 years, I have come to understand why sometimes unspoken prayer request are better. I’ve seen mother’s praying for their children have done things to bring shame to the family, so the unspoken request allows the church to pray without bringing more embarrasment to the family. That is just one example. There are more, but I think you get the picture.
I love your articles.
Have a blessed day!
Good Article.
I will just add this verse for thought.
Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Though not exactly unspoken requests, there have been times when I felt compelled to pray for someone specifically, though I did not know why. I just know that in each case God put it on my heart to pray for that person at that particular moment, and I did. I have never learned what the issues were when that happened but I know that God knows what they were and that He wanted me to pray for them at that moment and that is sufficient for me. I felt blessed to be used in that way!
God definitely does that. I received an email this week from a friend who said God laid me on her heart at 2 a.m. What a blessing! I’m grateful for people who are in tune with God and willing to sacrifice their time (and sometimes sleep) to intercede for others when God prompts them to do so.