As I sat in the hospital last week, discouraged over a large and stubborn case of cellulitis that didn’t seem to be budging, I felt it was time to ask for prayer more publicly. I had emailed a few friends when the situation began. But now I felt I needed to share the burden a bit further.
And then I asked myself why.
Did I think prayer was more likely to be answered the more people prayed? Was prayer a spiritual vote?
Well, no, it doesn’t work like that. God sometimes says no despite prayers from all over the globe.
Did I feel other people might have more faith than I did?
In my low moments, a little. When the paralytic’s friends brought him to Jesus for healing, mention is made of their faith, not his. (Luke 5:17-26).
However, Jesus said we only need faith the size of a mustard seed.
Yet somehow, we’re helped when others pray: “We have put our hope in him that he will deliver us again while you join in helping us by your prayers” (2 Corinthians 1:10-11, CSB).
We are told all through Scripture to pray for each other. Paul’s epistles give many examples of specific ways to pray. So it is right to ask for prayer from brothers and sisters in Christ.
Others’ prayers help us to rejoice: “Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance” (Philippians 1:18-19).
Others’ prayers draw our hearts together: “And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you” (2 Corinthians 9:14).
Others’ prayers expand thanksgiving to God: “You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.” (2 Corinthians 1:11).
Others’ prayers help us in our struggles: “I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf” (Romans 15:30).
Of course, asking others to pray is not just about getting my desired outcome. I cringe at language like “storming the gates of heaven,” as if we can force God to do our will. He’s more concerned with conforming us to His will.
Sometimes God says no to one request to provide for a greater need. Sometimes He wants us to learn humility and patience while waiting in prayer or to grow our faith. Fellowshiping with others in prayer helps with those aspects, too.
Whether I pray in person with others or they answer an email or text to tell me what they are praying, my heart is touched first by the fact that they care about me as a sister in Christ, even if they don’t know me well. Then I am instructed as they pray for aspects of the situation or have a perspective of it that I hadn’t thought of. I am amazed that another’s prayer can sometimes reflect a depth of understanding of the need far beyond what I shared. I don’t know whether that comes from their spiritual maturity, or the Holy Spirit’s leading in prayer, or both. I am also encouraged by sharing the load a bit with others.
Sometimes it’s hard to know when to ask others to pray and how much to share. I had an acquaintance years ago who almost could not say anything to anyone without asking for prayer. I was never quite sure if that was a good thing or not. But we can ask for God’s leading even in this. Whether we share with one other person, or a group, or everyone we know, God can use us in each other’s lives through the ministry of prayer.
(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)
