Yesterday I read a post on a message board by a woman who, as a member of a prayer circle, requested prayers for herself. When she was asked why, she replied that she was going through a rough time but would prefer to keep the details private. The other members of the group seemed miffed that she wouldn't give an exact reason.
I was very surprised by the number of respondents who said, basically, "If you can't tell me exactly why, then I don't feel I should have to pray for you."
To me that sounds like, "I'll pray for you if you pay me for it with some juicy details."
What do you think? Can you pray (or send positive thoughts to someone if you are not a believer) without knowing the details? Or must you be given a specific reason?
2007-10-23 05:17:58 · 14 answers · asked by LKeri 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I agree with you, seems to me that the prayer group just wanted to hear the dirt on why she's having a hard time.
I think that's pretty crappy...I pray for people all the time without knowing their specific burden, in fact I pray for people without them even asking me to.
My answer is yes, you can pray in general for a person...God knows their trials and tribulations, there isn't any need for nosy people to know them as well.
2007-10-23 05:33:24 · answer #1 · answered by Blossom 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
you can pray for someone who chooses not to reveal the reason. Many people have asked me to pray and will not share details- and that is ok, because you know why, prayer is not about me it is about God, and how He takes care of His children- God does not need details from us, to know what people are going through, they just need willing hearts to bring them to His Throne. If anyone says, they will not pray unless they know the details probably use prayer requests as a form of "gossip"- they are more interested in knowing the details then bringing them to God. Pray for that person, God will answer, and He will honor you.
2007-10-23 12:39:22 · answer #2 · answered by AdoreHim 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the Bible it tells us to make our requests known to God. Asking for elders in the church to pray for you is the only prayer request in the Bible. NO, you don't need the details so you can gossip about them with others. You pray for people as God puts them in your heart. Read 1 Timothy 2, the whole chapter.
2007-10-23 12:28:41 · answer #3 · answered by gigglings 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely! Sometimes people just need to feel the prayers of others. We don't have to have specifics to pray for God to be with someone and to comfort them in a time of need. He knows what that person is in need of and that's all that matters. Sometimes we just want to be nosy!
2007-10-23 12:22:29 · answer #4 · answered by patsworth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes you can pray for some one with out knowing their problems. no one has to pray for others but those women in the prayer circle were not christian. we should pray for each other always no matter what the need.
2007-10-23 12:23:21 · answer #5 · answered by Mim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can pray for someone without details. God knows the details and that's all thats needed
2007-10-23 12:25:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catholics pray for the atonement of sins for those in the whole world, when we pray the Divine Mercy. Therefore, I don't see why not. That's why we have formal confessions, some things that are going on in our lives are maybe to embarrassing to be exposed publicly. She has every right to her privacy. That's my opinion.
2007-10-23 13:25:20 · answer #7 · answered by Brenda M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God knows what they're going through. You don't have to know the specifics of a situation to pray that God's will be done.
2007-10-23 12:23:27 · answer #8 · answered by sdb deacon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes you can pray for anyone with out knowing the reason.. God knows the situation and we don't need to know,. i can pray for you the person that ask the question and God knows who I'm talking about.. them ppl that didn't want to pray for her till they knew what was going on just wanted to get in her business some things are personal and ppl don't want them out but God already knows before we do whats wrong with us..
2007-10-23 12:25:06 · answer #9 · answered by revbill_ussery 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Praying is for believers. You don't need details to pray for someone.
2007-10-23 12:27:52 · answer #10 · answered by just a man 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋