I have a question, and I'm asking this very sincerely. What is the reason for asking others to pray for you? Is it in the Bible? I was raised that "I" prayed to God and he would hear my prayers. Is it, the more prayers the more God will hear them? Please, just answers that are sincere. Thanks everyone. And a p.s.....I don't mind at all prayer requests, I just need to be enlightened, I guess.

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), February 09, 2002

Answers

Good question, Annie. When you put it that way it almost makes one picture God as a Bob Cratchet character with garters in his sleeves and a green visor checking tallies or Jerry Lewis at Telethon time "going to Ed the tote board" to see if the goal has been reached. Somehow neither of those images fits my idea of the Diety.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), February 09, 2002.

The apostle Paul repeatedly asked the churches that he wrote unto for prayer for himself. Samuel prayed for Israel. Jesus prayed for his disciples(John 17.) I don't know that an answer to your question is spelled out in scripture, but we have some good examples. I prefer to err on the side of caution. Pray for me!
...........Because He lives; charlieS

-- charlie (charliesap@pldi.net), February 09, 2002.

James chapter 5: verse 16.."Confess your faults to one another, and pray one for another that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

James chapter 5 verse 14 & 15"Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him annointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." " And the prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up and if he have committed sins they shall be forgiven him."

First Timothy chapter 2 verse 1 " Exhort therefore, that,first of all, supplications, prayers, intersessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men."

I know there are more verses in the bible which speak to the act of praying for one another, but it's late..LOL....I'm sure there are others who will add to the list.

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), February 10, 2002.

I love the answers of Charlie and Leslie. Prayer is power.. God loves us and he does listen.

-- HV (veggie@ ourplace.com), February 10, 2002.

Romans 15:30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

-- Gary in Ohio (gws@columbus.rr.com), February 10, 2002.

I think that praying for others is a way of teaching yourself not to be selfish! Focusing on others needs in a heartfelt way keeps you from focusing on yourself too much. God knows what we need before we even ask, praying helps us as much as the person we are praying for.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 10, 2002.

Gary reminded me of my distant Roman Catholic upbringing in which you could say certain prayers and rack up "indulgence" points on the tote board! As an Altar Boy I once prayed for a stranger being burried. I asked the Lord to let this poor soul into Heaven, even if He had to subject me to punishment for the rest of my life. Praise God, that He wouldn't hold an innocent 10 year old boy to such a commitment!!!

I do view God as the head of the "Corporation". He seems to largely leave the matters here on earth up to us. Of course we must Honor Him, and He has already made the rules. He encourages us to bring recommendations to Him regularly. When we pray, I don't really think it influence Him one way or the other. It does keep us mindful of the people or matters in which we would like to see change. It allows for the communication of issues requiring prayer from one to others, such as the prayer requests here on this forum.

There is more private prayer, where we seek to have God's Holy Spirit join with our spirit, to submit to His Will, and to seek the Knowledge of what His Will is for us.

-- Rick (Soouthwest West Virginia) (Rick_122@hotmail.com), February 10, 2002.

I guess oftentimes there's nothing you can do to help someone other than pray for them. In that, there's good for both - we can actually DO something to help, and they know that someone's trying to help in any way possible.

I suppose also, if this might be a little closer to an answer, if you are sick enough, you can't pray for yourself, so others must take over that task of prayer for you. This is a wonderful question, I don't believe I have ever thought of WHY we pray for others!

-- Christine in OK (cljford@mmcable.com), February 10, 2002.

Annie-- I was not raised in a home that prayed--or knew God!!

I went through some really bad times in my life and as an adult I personally accepted Jesus as my Lord & Savior--- Well many years later---- I had many/many/many/many people say they had prayed for me---long before I knew anything about Salvation---or wanting God/ or Jesus as part of my life---those people had prayed for me /when I didn't know anyone in this world really even cared about me---- When I accepted Jesus as my Lord & Savior--I found there were many other people who believed the same/ as I did & they loved me /inspite of myself---- I found a "bond" with some one who loved me /when my blood family never gave "a-rats-behind" about me/ all the time I was growing up----

I finally found "a family"!!! They are my family in God /they are my Brothers & Sisters in Christ---- I have learned /I can share with them & pray with them & have found love /I never knew there was!!----Now I ask them to pray with me /as it is as "normal" as breathing --or eating or anything else--it is just my lifestyle!! And it is soo comforting to me /to have someone who understands me & loves me & cares about me & my needs ------ because they all have Jesus as their Lord & savior--- they understand- ----they pray & believe the same as I do------it is as much a part of our life as any other thing we do---- it is "normal" to us----it is just what we do---it is who we are---it is what we believe---- I could give hundreds of scriptures----but I don't think that is what you are asking----maybe I'm wrong---- I have tried to explain this from my heart----& I hope you can understand what I mean & maybe understand how I feel--- if you ever want me to pray about something for you---let me know --- as I would feel honored you trusted me & cared enough about me /to share me/ in your life & pray for you! I feel it is a true blessing to be asked to pray/ to my Father about a person/ I care about here on earth! I hope this answers your question----Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda in Ks. (sgbruce@birch.net), February 10, 2002.

Thank you all soooooo much. Sonda, you were right, your alls personal reasons were just the answer I was looking for. To explain a little on why I asked....this question was something that has bugged me for a long time. There's a sign in front of a building in town that has a number on it where you can call to pray with someone or have someone pray for you. I didn't get it. I guess I never really thought of the fellowship part, all I could think of was why would God listen to someone else more than another. I had honestly thought it was arrogant. Tunnel thinking, I guess. It helps me immensely to see the reason, hearing everyones personal response. I guess even though I'm 45 years old, I'm not too old to learn a few more things. I'll look at prayer differently now. Thanks.

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), February 10, 2002.