How do you handle prayer requests?

This will say a lot about your relationship with God.

When you get a prayer request what is your first reaction? 

Here’s the thing, your first reaction followed by your action says a lot about you and your relationship with God. 

When I see or get a prayer request, details or not. My immediate physical reaction is to lift them up in prayer to the Lord and my first emotional response is empathy.

Simple as that, empathy, love, concern and knowing the power of prayer.

Now I’ll tell you something, despite what I write about, what I think about doctrines, denominations, etc. That all goes away at that moment. They are a person just like me, worthy of my love and God’s love, I don’t care about anything else or our differences.

The only thing I’m caring about is that they asked for prayer because something is going on and they are seeking God.

Don’t sit there and first debate their prayer request in your head, or place judgment before you pray, you have no right to do that. They didn't ask you for that, they asked for prayer.

I don’t believe it is ever our right to give unsolicited advice, comments or judgment when there is a prayer request. 

Advice for that situation will come from God.

Unless that person asks for advice, don’t offer it, and don’t question them, especially if you do not know that person well.

Whatever is going on is personal and they have the right not to share anymore details then they wish to, they also have the right not to be questioned, condemned, or judged by you in their moment of need.

Because in that moment they are going through a storm and reaching out to God, they are the ones that know full well what is going on, not you.

Respect that willing and amazing choice they made to seek out God.

Isn’t that what we are all supposed to be doing? Going to God together as His church in unity of faith, belief, support, and love?

Watch your words, you have no right to make their storm worse. You have been through your own storms. Remember that. 

Remember that you to have once reached out for supportive non-judgmental prayer while you felt like everything was crumbling, while scared, sick and hurt.

Never assume anything, no one is perfect and that person reaching out for prayer requests is seeking God, it is not your place to condemn anyone for seeking God or getting in the way of that. 

© Jane Isley

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