Author Topic: Question about prayer requests (Read 897 times)

MariaCatherine · « **on:** March 25, 2014, 09:47:30 PM »

I think everyone here should take advantage of the opportunity to ask for prayers, since it exists, and even a single prayer could be all that was needed to save a soul. I haven't done it because frankly, I don't want to burden anyone, and also I'm not sure of the best way. I'm inclined to ask for some special intention and leave it at that, but I'd like to know what you do in the same situation.

I'm on an e-mail prayer request list and receive about 8-10 requests every week. When it started I was far more diligent about helping, but lately I've just skimmed through the request to determine exactly how many people are in need, and offering that many prayers. I don't like that I do this, but I also don't think it's really necessary for me to know the exact reason for the request. I think most of the people on the list know one another, and it's a way of keeping up to date. I only know a few of them, and although usually only first names are used, I often feel like I don't want to know the details because they seem to overwhelm me somewhat emotionally.

What kind of prayer requests do you appreciate receiving, and does more information make you pray better? Are there other things I should be considering too?

Mabel · « **Reply #1 on:** March 25, 2014, 10:42:01 PM »

I'm more likely to pray a novena for someone with a serious need. If I visit a shrine for a certain cause, like St. Peregrine, I will say an extra prayer in addition to my daily ones for people with cancer, for example.

I personally keep track of my friends who are expecting and pray for a happy delivery.

poche · « **Reply #2 on:** March 25, 2014, 11:31:05 PM »

I include the prayer requests with my daily prayers.

Sigismund · « **Reply #3 on:** March 29, 2014, 10:11:53 PM »

So do I.

MariaCatherine · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2014, 11:03:33 AM »

OK, thanks. But what kind of prayer requests do you appreciate receiving, and does more information about the situation or intention make you pray better? Does anyone here receive several requests every week for prayers for people they don't know, and just skim the messages to determine how many prayers are requested, and then offer that many? Would a person who does this, and wonders if it's right, be scrupling, or would they be lazy or uncharitable?

IYO.

:thinking:

poche · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2014, 10:43:45 PM »

Quote from: MariaCatherine

OK, thanks. But what kind of prayer requests do you appreciate receiving, and does more information about the situation or intention make you pray better? Does anyone here receive several requests every week for prayers for people they don't know, and just skim the messages to determine how many prayers are requested, and then offer that many? Would a person who does this, and wonders if it's right, be scrupling, or would they be lazy or uncharitable?

IYO.

:thinking:

I pray for whatever the person feels that they need prayers for. Sometimes I say AMGD which is Latin initials for Ad majorum Gloriam Dei or in Englis All for the greater glory of God.

Nadir · « **Reply #6 on:** March 31, 2014, 02:27:14 AM »

There are some more recent requests that I remember, and I find it helps me to remember if I know the intention as well as the person I am praying for. But also there are many people I have promised to pray for, so many that I cannot keep them in my head, so I pray "for all those I have promnised to pray for and for those who have asked for our prayers." (they are not always the same people, but there is some lapover there. That way every one is covered and God does not forget!

Sigismund · « **Reply #7 on:** April 02, 2014, 10:13:40 PM »

I never rally gave any thought to the possibility that knowing more about a situation might make my prayers better. God knows everything that needs to be known, in any event.

Stella · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2014, 04:44:56 AM »

I pack a loaded Rosary, and heap on the intentions at the beginning. They are called "blanket prayers," as they cover a myriad of intentions. Here is one:

"for everyone who has written to me or emailed, at home or at work, in the last year, that they will enter the Catholic Church, confess their sins, and die in the state of grace."