Unspoken

[John81]

Is there biblical grounds for prayer requests that are "unspoken"?

 

I know Scripture says we are to help one another with their burdens, and we are even to confess to one another. Both of these suggest openness, straight-forwardness and honesty.

 

While I've not done an exhaustive search, I've not yet found an example of "I want you to pray for me but I don't want you to know what I need prayer for".

 

 

[Standing Firm In Christ]

We are told in Romans that the Spirit prays in our place when we know not exactly hotw to pray. 

But to my knowledge, no mention of unspoken prayer requests. 

(This does not necessarily mean that it is wrong to ask people to pray concerning our needs.) 

The practice of unspoken prayer requests may have originated from this verse:

Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

[John81]

How can two be in agreement if one doesn't know what the matter of prayer is about?

[Standing Firm In Christ]

I caould agree that you are troubled about something and are in need of an answer to prayer... or vice versa

[John81]

That's hardly specific. Preachers often point out the need to pray specifically that way if your prayer is answered, you will know, can give God the glory and share that testimony. If I'm only praying, "Please help Joe", how am I to know if he's received help and glorify God. What if someone says your prayers for me were or were not answered, how can I know the truth of the statement if I were only able to offer a generic prayer because they didn't say what they needed prayer for?

 

I don't know, the more I think about it something just doesn't seem quite right about "unspoken" prayer requests.

[DaveW]

I think there is a difference between an "unspoken prayer" - which I hate the use of - and someone saying "please pray for me - I can't tell you why right now but I need prayer".
"Unspoken prayer" to me seems like a bit of an impersonal cop out, while a plea for prayer without specifics shows a more tender heart.

But this is my personal opinion only formed from OBservation of people asking for prayer - I have no Bible support and therefore no real authority to my view on it - it is a personal view, nothing more.

[AVBibleBeliever]

Now your catching on John81.

 

Unbiblical practices are many in todays organized (501, corporate style) church.  the more you seek the truth the more they will stand out.

[John81]

Why so few responses to this? I would really like to hear from others on this matter.

[prophet1]

'Unspoken' prayer requests doesn't seem like a doctrine issue, but rather a gossip issue.

[John81]

I don't view prayer requests as a matter of gossip. No doubt some folks gossip after learning of specific prayer requests, but folks also gossip after hearing of "unspoken" requests as they try to decide what's being kept a secret and why.

 

Folks gossiping over prayer needs is a separate issue where the sin of gossip needs to be addressed.

[Alimantado]

If we say you have to know 'specifically' what the other person is asking you to pray about, what if it is a disease you don't understand, or a legal situation that for whatever reason they can't go into? Do the prayers then not count?

[prophet1]

I don't view prayer requests as a matter of gossip. No doubt some folks gossip after learning of specific prayer requests, but folks also gossip after hearing of "unspoken" requests as they try to decide what's being kept a secret and why.

Folks gossiping over prayer needs is a separate issue where the sin of gossip needs to be addressed.

I think some fear giving details out publicly, because of potential gossip or backlash.

An example: a young adult lady in our church loves a young man, who has backslidden.
He has shacked up with some hoochi-mama in town, and she is heartbroken.
She knows she will get lectured or gossipped about, if she asks for God to restore him, when he is so rebellious, and has rejected her as well.
So she asks for prayer for an unspoken matter every week.

[John81]

Surely we know that if we don't know something we can't say what we don't know!

 

I don't think we have to pray in detail to be heard. The real question is if there is scriptural support for "unspoken" prayer requests.

 

If we are to be family, we are called to bear one another's burdens, to confess one to another and such, loving one another, then why would we not be open about our prayer needs?

 

Living in this small town I really wonder why anyone ever says they have an "unspoken" request because in a small town it doesn't take long before everyone knows everyone else's business anyway. Why not just be open to begin with?

 

It just seems if we want someone to pray for us we should let them know what it is they need prayer for. Ones prayers can be very different depending upon what is being prayed for.

 

Another point, if we are trusting God to deal with our prayer requests, shouldn't we be able to trust God with the outcome of our open making an open prayer request?

 

If gossip is a prOBlem, and if more prOBlems stem from such, that's something pastors and other mature Christians should deal with swiftly and clearly.

[Standing Firm In Christ]

God knows the need, even before we ask it.

That said, it does not hurt to have the Brethren to pray for undisclosed needs.  Just agree to pray for them or not.  If you agree to pray for them, just tell the Lord that something is troubling your Brother's spirit and he hasn't opened up to you what that is but that you are requesting that God meet whatever need that is.

Really shouldn't be a hurdle. 

Notice Paul's epistle to the Thessalonians...

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (KJV) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 (KJV) Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:25 (KJV) Brethren, pray for us.
1 Thessalonians 5:26 (KJV) Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
1 Thessalonians 5:27 (KJV) I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
1 Thessalonians 5:28 (KJV) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. The first epistle unto the Thessalonians was written from Athens.

Paul did not say, I am weak, pray for me.  He did not say we are needing finances, pray for us.  He didn't disclose what it was that he wanted the Thessalonians to pray for, only that they pray.

Undisclosed prayers requests should not be ignored. 
 

[John81]

Again, the question is, what does Scripture say about this?

 

Is there scriptural grounds for asking for prayer without saying what one needs prayer for?