How We Can Pray When Someone Asks
3 ways we can respond to prayer requests
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Do you pray for people you know?
Do others ask you to pray for them?
Most requests for prayer come to us because of a need someone has.
It is likely a physical need, such as health, or finances, or a job, etc. It is very common for folks to ask for us to pray for them when they have a big problem (in marriage, with children, at work, and so on), when there is a big decision to make, or an opportunity and they are hoping it will turn out in their favor.
Why do others ask us to pray for them?
Feeling helpless - recognizing we are unable handle something ourselves
Feeling unworthy - to ask alone or our faith is weak
We see it in Scriptures, and are taught in church to pray for each other
Whenever there is a request, we refer to these as a “felt need” from the person asking for prayer. This felt need may be a sickness and they request prayers for healing; they have lost a job and request prayers for a new one; they have a child in trouble with school or the law and request prayers for them.
Why should we pray for them?
Praying for others is important because it fulfills a New Testament command—we are to pray for all people (1 Timothy 2:1). As we carry each other’s burdens, we will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
Remember, the apostle Paul requested prayer for he and Timothy from the Corinthian church (2 Corinthians 1:11), and for prayer from believers in Ephesus (Ephesians 6:19).
Certainly we note that Jesus prayed for others—see Luke 22:32, and 22:40, and John 17:11 and 17:17 as examples.
How can we pray?
First. we respond by actually praying, and by praying as was requested.
The felt need is what prompted the request, so start there. Jesus responded many times to the felt need of the request. Here are three examples:
The centurion's servant (Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10): A Roman centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant, who was paralyzed and suffering.
The synagogue leader's daughter (Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56): A synagogue leader named Jairus asked Jesus to come and heal his daughter, who was dying.
The Canaanite woman's daughter (Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30): A Canaanite woman asked Jesus to heal her daughter, who was possessed by a demon.
There is nothing wrong with casting these cares upon the Lord, for he cares for us.
Other times the request is less a need and more a want: we want a new job, we want a better something, we want a parking spot in the shade, we want _____. Our response is the same: we can pray as requested.
So, pray as we are asked — that is, for the job, the health, the wayward teen, the difficult circumstances would resolve (i.e. at home or at work); pray for a favorable outcome that the requester seeks.
These are prayers for material blessings.
But that is not all we pray for them
Secondly, pray from the Scriptures.
As examples:
Ask for grace and peace be with them;
ask for wisdom from above;
may they be strong in the Lord and the strength of his might;
for the Lord to supply what is lacking in their faith;
for help in unbelief;
that they stand firm in all the will of God and be mature in the Lord;
that they know the fullness of the love of God;
to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man;
that they be sanctified completely, kept spirit, soul and body, and preserved blameless;
that they be filled with all joy and peace in believing, etc.
These are prayers for spiritual blessings; they are all according to the Word and the Father’s will—prayers that find a yes in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20).
One more prayer for others
Thirdly, that the Lord’s will be done—what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2).
This is especially so when the request is more of a want than a need. How many times does the Lord answer our prayers differently than we asked or expected? For many of us, we might say all the time!
Remember, the Lord is not obligated to respond to give us exactly what we ask, but He does answer for our good and for His glory—according to His will.
And for salvation
Perhaps the request is for a person who may not know the Lord, and so we pray for their salvation.
Remember, whatever the problem or request, what we most need is the Gospel!
We pray then: they hear the good news of Jesus saves and respond—that they fall under the conviction the Holy Spirit and repent and believe; that they become aware of their sins and believe they need Jesus and cry for his mercy; that they be transferred from the domain of darkness in to the light of Jesus.
Even those who are saved by His grace need to be reminded of this. I know I do.
What about you?
Do you have people ask you for prayers and what do you pray for them? Let me know in the comments, and feel free to send this to someone you know:
My dear sister read a book “Love to Pray” She taught me to always pray a “so that” I pray dear Lord for wisdom as I read your words so that I may understand your will for me. I pray to be patient and sweet to my husband so that he is happy he’s married to me today. I highly recommend the example about your spouse!
Thank you brother! This comes in very handy to all intercessors, such as myself so therefore I will be sharing all these points of specific prayers ! GBY and keep you, Amein.