Is "Pray For Me" A Deception?

[Edward]

I put this in this forum because it's related to prayer requests, but if the mods think it's better suited in the lounge feel free to move it.

Is asking others for prayer a deception or hindrance? Let me explain, lol.
In John 14:12 we see that we have been given authority to do all that Jesus does and more. Are we instructed in scripture anywhere to ask Brothers & Sisters for prayer?

We are instructed to pray for others. We are instructed to pray for ourselves. One time I was even directly instructed by God to pray for a board member that needed help...

Sickness, tribulation, spiritual attacks...could be the enemy, could be God lovingly chastising His sons & daughters to teach us endurance, patience and contentment, or just the world's corrupt ways attacking the Christian to induce suffering, as is prophesied in scripture.

We've been given the authority in Christ to deal with these things ourselves. If we feel as if we need help from Brothers & Sisters to pray for us...Is this our own lack of faith, unbelief?

Don't get me wrong, Ill gladly pray for my Brothers & Sisters who need it, for when two or more come together in agreement, it shall be done...I'm just chewing on the meat of the matter.

 

[Eugene]

.
Morning Brother Edward, Paul requested prayer in the following manner.

Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Eph 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the

Col 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
Col 4:4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

2 Th 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2 Th 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

His requests seemed to always be for the benefit of spreading the Word of God.
When it came to prayer for personal deliverance He went straight to God.
2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2 Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

.

 

[Obadiah]

This is actually a subject I've thought of a lot, especially when I see those prayer lists read off in church and wonder why those particular people get special treatment when I'm sure just about anybody in any congregation needs God's help for something or other in their lives that is important to them even if it might not seem or be important to someone else. However I really don't find anything in scripture saying we can't or shouldn't ask other believers to pray for a particular need we may have and as Eugene has pointed out there are even examples of this being done in scripture. I'm a firm believer that if there is no scripture prohibiting something (either directly or in principle) then it is fine for us to do if we have the desire. God told us of things we aren't to do. I don't believe God is forgetful so if He didn't want us to ask another brother or sister to pray for us, I firmly believe He would have told us so. This doesn't seem like an oversight on His part.

But one thing I do question is motivation especially when it comes to specific requests such as for a personal problem to get solved, etc. And of course, only the person making the request can truly know their motivation, and even then many people don't put out the effort to honestly evaluate their reasons and motivations for a lot of what they do or say. But sometimes I really wonder how many "prayer requests" are really just a cry for attention or sympathy. As you have rightly pointed out, we can pray for ourselves, and we should certainly do that along with or before asking others to pray for us. But maybe sometimes people just like or get comfort by the idea that their situation is being noticed and is on the mind of others. Putting it in the form of a "prayer request" comes across as more noble than just complaining about your own personal problem. Another thing I wonder about is how many "prayer requests" are really more a matter of a person saying "I don't have enough faith to believe in God's ability to answer my prayers, but you seem to have that kind of faith so could you just pray for me so I can get what I want right now rather than me having to put out the effort to build my faith enough to pray for myself?" This is simply a selfish request for someone else to do for us (build and use faith) what we should be doing for ourselves.

Sorry to be rather cynical about this, but I actually speak from my own experience from times when I was simply crying for sympathy or lacked faith myself. One thing I've learned over the years is that the prayers I've seen answered, and answered in the most sure and dramatic ways pointing to God's glory, are those that I prayed for myself through my own faith in God, not the ones where I have asked someone else to do it for me.

 

[smaller]

I learned a lot of faith lessons early after being saved. One of those lessons was that no one else is "really" capable of helping out other than in very minor ways. Another was that no one can really relate to what another might actually be going through. Another was that not even the individual knows what God may have planned for them in the future. Another was that other believers imaginations were not helpful when it comes to "rosily optimistic prayers."

All of these things tend to force us into a corner, where it is only ourselves and our Maker involved, to try to work things out over the long haul of life. In the end it really is just the believer and God in Christ, who will prove Himself Sufficient for the tasks, whatever that may be.

I read a long time ago in Acts 11 and 21 of the prophet Ababus, who SEEMED to be giving a warning to Paul of what was going to happen if Paul went to Jerusalem:

11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

In this event the Holy Ghost showed Paul the future. How Paul took that factual information could have been very different. He could have took the advice of the other believers in vs. 12, but he didn't, and went anyway. And what the Spirit said would come to pass, did. There are many other spiritual lessons behind "Paul in chains" that came forth from all of those events.

When the Holy Spirit tells a believer something dire, it may be best to head that direction! Not run away.

And this would be perhaps the kind of "accurate" information I may pay more attention to, personally.

Seeking the wailing prayers of "oh, brother, please pray that God would bless me" is not really what I might be after. Tell me the bad stuff and let's get after it.

 

[Edward]

.
Morning Brother Edward, Paul requested prayer in the following manner.

Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Eph 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the

Col 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
Col 4:4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

2 Th 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2 Th 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

His requests seemed to always be for the benefit of spreading the Word of God.
When it came to prayer for personal deliverance He went straight to God.
2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2 Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

.

Ahh, excellent scriptures Brother, thanks.
Your scripture 2 Th 3:2 seems to support what Obidiah is saying below (and me)

 

[Edward]

This is actually a subject I've thought of a lot, especially when I see those prayer lists read off in church and wonder why those particular people get special treatment when I'm sure just about anybody in any congregation needs God's help for something or other in their lives that is important to them even if it might not seem or be important to someone else. However I really don't find anything in scripture saying we can't or shouldn't ask other believers to pray for a particular need we may have and as Eugene has pointed out there are even examples of this being done in scripture. I'm a firm believer that if there is no scripture prohibiting something (either directly or in principle) then it is fine for us to do if we have the desire. God told us of things we aren't to do. I don't believe God is forgetful so if He didn't want us to ask another brother or sister to pray for us, I firmly believe He would have told us so. This doesn't seem like an oversight on His part.

But one thing I do question is motivation especially when it comes to specific requests such as for a personal problem to get solved, etc. And of course, only the person making the request can truly know their motivation, and even then many people don't put out the effort to honestly evaluate their reasons and motivations for a lot of what they do or say. But sometimes I really wonder how many "prayer requests" are really just a cry for attention or sympathy. As you have rightly pointed out, we can pray for ourselves, and we should certainly do that along with or before asking others to pray for us. But maybe sometimes people just like or get comfort by the idea that their situation is being noticed and is on the mind of others. Putting it in the form of a "prayer request" comes across as more noble than just complaining about your own personal problem. Another thing I wonder about is how many "prayer requests" are really more a matter of a person saying "I don't have enough faith to believe in God's ability to answer my prayers, but you seem to have that kind of faith so could you just pray for me so I can get what I want right now rather than me having to put out the effort to build my faith enough to pray for myself?" This is simply a selfish request for someone else to do for us (build and use faith) what we should be doing for ourselves.

Sorry to be rather cynical about this, but I actually speak from my own experience from times when I was simply crying for sympathy or lacked faith myself. One thing I've learned over the years is that the prayers I've seen answered, and answered in the most sure and dramatic ways pointing to God's glory, are those that I prayed for myself through my own faith in God, not the ones where I have asked someone else to do it for me.

I don't see cynicism in your post Brother. Sometimes the truth hurts though, so it's good to discuss these things for the edification of all. We do know that the Lord dislikes murmuring, iirc that was the very reason that God let the Israelites wander the desert for 40 years.

Thinking back, those times I posted prayer requests, it was at a time when my faith was lacking. I've been thinking though that, those times may have been when I should have been finding contentment like Paul suggested, or even suffering in tribulation as Christ said...so that we, having shared in suffering, may also share in glory. I have been hesitating of late to post requests for these reasons.

I wonder...could we accidentally reduce our treasures in Heaven by having others pray for us? (If indeed our troubles were in fact a chastisement or lesson that the Lord was trying to teach us)

We are called to be strong in the Lord, Ephesians 6:10-12 ...not weak.

Hmmm.

 

[reba]

this depends on the heart of the people involved... which is what i read the answers/replies here to say....
telephone prayer chains are just ugly... calling a sister/brother in Christ to pray with you is wonderful
it only takes one or two people to destroy a prayer meeting...

 

[Edward]

this depends on the heart of the people involved... which is what i read the answers/replies here to say....
telephone prayer chains are just ugly... calling a sister/brother in Christ to pray with you is wonderful
it only takes one or two people to destroy a prayer meeting...

Exactly. We need to stand up to adversity and take authority over it while continuing to praise God.

Bless you, Brothers & Sisters. I wasn't sure how this thread would be taken, but this is important so did it anyway. I'm glad I did.

 

[Eugene]

.
Edward, I wrote the following excerpt which is a very important, if not the most necessary part of “The Armor of God” posted at:
http://www.christianforums.net/Fellowship/index.php?threads/the-armor-of-god.51558/

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. Oh the blessings we receive when we love our brethren as ourselves, and many times we can see our brother struggling and easily pray for them, but then forget to have that same integrity toward our own spiritual walk. Our faith weakens and we find ourselves in the far land feeding swine, and in want. Now we remain the son, and our Father never leaves or forsakes us, but we soon find ourselves in want. What to do about it? Run to our Father Who will run to meet us, put our ring back on our finger, the robe of righteousness, and slaughter the fatted calf to honor us. Faith? Hebrews 12:2. "Look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." We cannot do it, but God can. Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
.

 

[Edward]

"...but then forget to have that same integrity towards our own spiritual walk..."

Amen Brother! It seems like I'm constantly reminded of Lazarus & the rich man. Our life is but a vapor, and sufficient for the day is enough. Glory to God, in the midst of little, I feel rich.

 

[Roro1972]

Jame 5:14
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
maybe Acts 4:31
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.