Monday Morning Manna: Responding to Prayer Requests

The more social media responses I read of people responding to prayer requests, the more I realize how much we have failed in teaching people about prayer. When Bible Schools and Seminaries opt not to teach prayer in their curriculum, assuming that students already know how to pray and how to lead others to pray, they graduate ministers who are weak in prayer, who in turn are unable to teach or lead believers how to pray, and thus folks know not how to even respond to the prayer requests of their friends. I’m sure the requests are sincere, as are the responses, and I want to assume that responders actually pray, sending their prayers to God, not to the person making the request. Other than perhaps making the needy one feel good, responses that say things like, “Prayers coming your way” and “Sending prayers your way” and “Prayers going out” indicate a knowledge gap in the very basics of prayer. The Bible is clear that prayer is to be directed to God. “Call to Me” says the Lord in Jeremiah 33:3. The Psalmist records God saying, “Ask of Me.” You are to make the “desires of your heart” known to God (Psalm 37:4). You are to go “boldly to the throne of grace” (Hebrews 14:6). And in the end, you are to yield to God’s will by praying like Jesus, “not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39). And for goodness sakes, whoever decided, “sending good thoughts your way” was a substitute for prayer? We need to ask like the disciples, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1) and then teach us how to respond to the prayer requests of others. And while you are praying, pray that those in academic authority will allow proper biblical prayer it to be taught.

Dr. Dan Crawford, Senior Professor at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, is the WestCoast Baptist Association’s Spiritual Life & Leadership Mentor. Follow Dan on Twitter @DrDanRC and Facebook www.facebook.com/dan.crawford.