What is your opinion about prayer requests on Y/A?

Question

Is it now against policy to put up prayer requests as part of a question?

Would you pray if I told you I just received a call from my brother that his wife, who just had heart bypass surgery a couple of months ago, had a hear attack this morning?

Her recovery has been going perfectly so this is quite a surprise.

Do you think that asking for prayer for a need is a violation of policy?

Is this question a request for prayer and not a question?

Answer 1

I have nothing against prayer requests personally, but I suppose the fear is that they will clog up the board, and hide other questions that people want answers to. Really, there should be a whole category of questions called "Society and Culture - Religion and Spirituality - Prayer Requests"

Answer 2

Hairyfeet came up with a wonderful idea!

I have never had a problem with prayer requests, but I have to agree that there is the possibility that they may flood the forum. I disagree with their removal, because I often want to find out how things are going for the person making the request, and there's no way to learn anything when the post is deleted.

I hope that your sister-in-law makes a full recovery, and that your family is not unduly stressed by this unfortunate situation.

Your question is valid, with a bit of a prayer request tossed in for good measure. Nothing wrong with that. Wishing your family only the best, and a speedy recovery to your brother's wife.

Answer 3

No, not really, I have never asked for a prayer but my contacts have sent me them anyway because I haven't been well and its been a great source of comfort to know that others care about you, I don't think its a violation, and I send my prayers and best wishes to you and all of your family, losing anyone, no matter what age is always painful, especially if you are close to that person, all I can say is, stay strong for your brother, show him lots of love and support and just 'be there' when he needs you, I'm so sorry this has happened to your family and I wish you all the best, stick together and show love to each other and you will be fine, believe me, been there and done that many times, Goodluck to you and your family!!!

Answer 4

If someone requests prayer I will pray. As far as I know the First Amendment has not been rescinded. Since when is prayer a violation of community guidelines? Prayer is simply a dialog with the Creator. Isn't dialog what were doing here?
I Cr 13;8a
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I just read the guidelines and I see nothing that prohibits requests for prayer.

Answer 5

I think we should be perfectly ok with asking for prayer, but there should be a separate section for prayer requests. So what if it gets flooded with prayer requests???? Then you have to think....the asker has to pick a best answer...then the dilemma begins...how do you pick a best answer for a prayer? Are we to post our prayers for competition??? Naw....how 'bout they just make a prayer list section, so we can do that, then we can go pray for those on the prayer list,
no points included--the Christians just visit and pray when they want? BTW, I have prayed for your SIL and family, and hope all turns out well--remember it is in God's hands--give it to HIM and don't take it back.

Answer 6

I think that prayer requests are fine here because anyone can just ignore them. However, I feel more comfortable praying when I know that the prayer request is sincere and true.

Answer 7

very difficult question here.i think we must respect the decision of Q/A.its a hot potato.in an emergency a person could state,..This is a life or death situation(explaining the circumstances)and add is there any of you out there know anyone specific in a position to do something to bring change, that they can ask to help here urgently?if so then i need them to ask them.....,However i think. it is wrong to look for ways to habitually thwart /exploit loopholes in this or any system.Our duty is to be salt and light on line,and to report anything that might be harmful to the vunerable,and any sort of abuse.when someone on-line is suicidal the only lifeline i can through them is GODS word,so i hope they dot not rule against scripture verses being quoted.the Internet is being used to a great extent by the prince and power of the air.as Christian's we need to both make our presence felt as well as known so as to ensure it does not completely go to the devil.personally i would remember the verse about pearls,and only in an emergency would i post CHRISTIAN EYES ONLY.there are other people out there who do not share our faith,and we ought to be respectful of that,and their right to refuse our message.it cant be forced. john6v35ff very very difficult question with more than one delima in this present age.But i don't feel that we should attempt to turn Q/A into a church,but that should neither prevent believers communication

Answer 8

I posted a prayer request and Yahoo removed it because they said it communicated community guidelines. I wrote it in the form of a question so I coudn't see the problem. I will pray that your sister in law and brother recieve the strength they need to get them through this no matter what the outcome. Blessings

Answer 9

No. I think it is good for you to put prayer requests or ask for them on here. It's a good way to get people to help by praying.

Answer 10

I can see 30,000 prayer requests on a popular format such as Y!R&S.

This would bury legit questions. This is a Q&A format for questions about Religion and Spirituality.

I am not against asking for prayers but this should be done in a forum for prayers.

Prayer is very powerful and should not be taken lightly. In Matthew 16:19 Jesus said; And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
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It is very clear that Jesus was addressing Peter in this verse.

but in another verse Jesus states that group prayer will do the same.
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Matthew 18:
18
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
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But this must be in unity with God's will or purpose.

Atheists and non religious trolls post a great number of questions that have absolutley nothing to do with R&S. Christians generally ignore these and look for real questions.
Rarely are these questions reported let alone removed. This shows a great deal of tolerance on the part of religious folks of all religions.
DO NOT expect the same from the "other side".