Do you give details in your prayer request or not?

Question

I believe in the power of prayer, individual and corporate.
I also believe in having people lay hands upon the sick.
I know those 2 statements will come up, so I decided to address them up front.
Whether or not you believe in the above mentioned, my real question is:

Do you give details of your prayer request when asking for prayer? Or do you say that you have an unspoken prayer request?

I've struggled with this. I would love to give the details to people know exactly what to pray about, but on the other hand, I don't want to give 'birth' to that sickness by confessing it with my mouth. Plus, sadly there are those who use the details given in prayer as an opportunity to gossip.

Let's just say for now, that I have an unspoken prayer request for my son tomorrow. He's facing a serious doctors appt.

Can you help me with some scriptural backing as to why you do or don't?

thank you!

Answer 1

I completely understand what your concern is!!!

The scripture that comes to mind is:

Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."

I also do not share intimately with very many people--as I find that prayer groups are often a huge source of gossip in the average church. I don't want what I share to be talked about--I want the true prayer warrior praying about it.

Simply state something like this:

I am asking for prayer for my son--he needs healing.

If anyone asks for further details--you can always say you'd rather just have that be an unspoken prayer request.

If someone is immature enough to push you and doesn't respect your right of privacy (even with in the church body) then they are definitely not mature enough to know further details.

It's all about discretion. If you know of someone who is a prayer intercessor (they are often older women in the church--who are sometimes quiet and NOT gossipy) then you could seek that individual out. Just listening to a prayer group pray you can often discern who is mature in God and who are the prayer warriors.

My prayer for your son:

God,

I ask in Jesus name that you give your healing, health and restoration to each and every part of this lady's son. I ask that you give wisdom to the health care professionals who are taking care of him. Please help this mother to be strengthened in her faith towards you. I thank you that where two or three agree upon anything according to Your will--that you will do it.

I also thank you for the discerment, wisdom and guidance that you are giving to this lady to walk in discretion and with understanding.

May God Bless You and your Son,

In Jesus name.
Amen

Answer 2

I don't have any scriptural backing for this, but it entirely depends upon the situation, and who I am asking the request of.

Your prayer request here I think is plenty of information for this forum - God is all knowing, so he knows the specific details of your request. (And I will say a prayer for your son and for you this evening regaring the appt. tomorrow).

This is the same amount of detail I would email to my church friends - I haven't seen that we have a gossip mill at our church - but the potential of course is always there. Again, the amount of detail given here would be more than sufficient for a church mailing list.

To my very close family and friends - those who probably are already aware of what's going on - I would give all the details and specifics possible. No special reason, other than these are the people I know without a doubt I can trust - so I don't hold back, and also because these are the people I lean on for emotional support, so I'd be talking out my concerns with them anyway.

Hope this helps Bella!

Answer 3

I just prayed here are some hugs for youooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo You are very honest and sincere about prayer and I respect and admire you for that. Matthew 6 is a good help there are times for corporate prayer Internet prayer church prayer and private prayer ask the Lord to give to discretion and discernment
what do say what not to say wisdom is from the Lord. Peace be with you Quella Bella be sure to keep us posted OK? Let us all know how things are going? Peace E4G

Answer 4

When I am interceding for another, one of the key ways that I know that I'm hitting the target, so to speak, is if I am praying in details. I find that the Lord supplies me with details (sometimes details I wouldn't have a way of otherwise knowing) as I go, and this is one of the clearest messages I get that my prayer is causing movement somewhere, if that makes sense. I think that God very much responds to detailed prayers; I have no idea how or why that works, but many of the greatest pray-ers I've ever read about prayed *very* detailed prayers.

If you're interested in reading more about this topic, I have a great book recommendation:

Praying Hyde: Apostle of Prayer by E.G. Carre

http://www.amazon.com/Praying-Hyde-E-G-Carre/dp/0882705415/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-1359383-9447047?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189649702&sr=8-1

I sincerely hope --- and pray! ---- that everything goes well for you and your son tomorrow.

Oh dear, I see I read your question wrong. In regards to having others pray for me, I don't usually give too many details. I don't believe that it is speaking death into a situation --- I find that theology to be shaky at best; but rather that it can often compromise the person that we're praying for --- that information isn't mine to give a third party.

Sometimes I think it *is* important to give details to others about prayer requests that only pertain to you; it is a way of being transparent, and I think this is a good way to pray without ceasing ---- it's like living confession with our actions, if that makes sense.

Answer 5

Sometimes I give details when there's something specific I would like to have or if i'm praying for a unhealthy habit someone I know might be struggling with.
but sometimes you have to let go & let god, god knows what to do with our prayers and will only bring about good things especially when something is beyond us, something only the holy spirit alone can handle. I think it only asks us to make our needs & desires known; I also believe in laying hands on the sick & have personally witnessed it's results. I've even had unspoken prayers answered.

Christ said to pray in his name & to ask in order to receive, I think it's okay to name the illness to diminish it's power--for example say "in the name of Jesus Christ lord rebuke" & state the name of the illness; sometimes I might get a stress headache, I'll say "in the name of jesus christ I rebuke this headache" I haven't taken anything for hdaches in 2 yrs.
I pray that you & your son will be well

god bless you & your family

Answer 6

I have found that SPOKEN prayers work better.
The other thing is to put your "spec sheet" out to the universe for fulfillment.

I have two methods... one is the Prayer of Jabez (get Wilkinson's short little books).

The other is simply asking for "the most benevolent outcome" in each circumstance and open-endedly ALLOWING for the best to manifest. For example, "the most benevolent outcome" for finding a parking space may not be the one closest to the door, but perhaps one that either allows you to run into a friend in the parking lot, or keeps your car from getting bashed. This works great for doctor's appointments because it can reveal whether you have the right doctor or not.

Answer 7

I'm not God, but I don't think he needs details. Asking for details is OK, if we ask the person we are praying for..most of the time we talk gossip about that person without them asking for prayer. Simply put our thoughts are conceived fruits of our inner spirit....you cannot serve two spirits only the holy spirit. Example...please pray for me....give details if you want. The bodied assembly of Christ should know this. What gives someone the right too ask a hurting person for more details? No one has that right, but if they publicly announce...look im hurting..my feet hurt please pray..then details are given by permission, just because you know something that person has burdening them, this doesn't give you gossip rights as prayer reporters. Be thankful God hears your prayer and let him do his work in you....

Answer 8

I can't give you any scriptural backing, but I can give you some background as to what I believe. When I'm praying for someone, I believe that God already knows what is needed without my having to know or say what the actual problem is. Know that you are both in my prayers tonight. May God bless you and your son and give you strength to handle all that may come your way.

Answer 9

Give detail... prayer is very strong and using a name and reason for the prayer seems to strengthen the prayer.The New Testament has tons of info on prayer. Goodluck..I will pray for you and your son, that you find peace in whatever happens tomorrow, and that you will also find an answer to this question.

Answer 10

I am not going into scripture, it is not necessary. We all know that God already knows your needs, better than you do. So when you pray, you go into detail because you are communicating with God the Father. The word, " ABBA " in the Bible means, " Daddy. " You are to look to God as your Daddy. But when you make request for prayer, you need to leave the details out for the very reasons you mentioned.

God be with you,
Evangelist, William M. Butler
Grace Evangelistic Ministry

P.S., I will pray for your son, God knows the details.