The Purpose of a Prayer Request

[Coexist]

Hello to all of you beautiful people!

First question that has been on my mind recently: is the purpose of a prayer request misinterpreted?

What I mean is, why do people pray for each other? I understand the meaning behind it as far as giving the asker a sense of comfort because others are thinking about them in their time of need. HOWEVER, why should the prayers of others alter a situation they are not involved in? Every day I hear and see prayer requests (i.e. "Please pray for my sick father," "About to head out to my interview... pray for me!" "Trying to find peace and love in my heart, prayers appreciated").

Isn't what really is going on here "please think about me" ?
Because the idea of God keeping a tally of how many prayers he has gotten for something does not seem to follow the ideals God has set forth about Himself in His Word, or what I feel Him to be in my heart.

Any thoughts on the topic of prayer requests?

Thank you

 

[lforrest]

It is instructed that we should do so:
1 Timothy 2:1

I would also refer to the parable of the persistent widow: Luke 18:1-8.
Then think about how much more annoying a bunch of people can be.

There is also the humility and faith that comes from asking. It is possible that God wishes to first teach someone a lesson in this area before the answer to the prayer is given.

 

[Coexist]

Thank you, Iforrest, for your reply! The concept is still a bit blurry to me, but this made it a bit clearer. The humility and faith aspect was a good point.

 

[rand]

remember one time when Daniel prayed and while he was still praying the angel showed up to give him the answer to his prayer? If you read thru that prayer it must have taken about 3 minutes to get it all out. Now, waiting three minutes would be easy even for the most impatient Christians. But what if they had to wait three weeks? Like Daniel did a few Chapters later. He prayed and fasted for 21 days before the angel came to give him the answer to his prayer. However, this time it took so long because the angel was held up by a demon in the spirital realm. But notice that both times Daniel started to pray, God gave the order to the angel to go give Daniel the answer. So, I don't think it's God holding out the answers for our prayers, I think He gives the order as soon as we begin our prayer.

What would have happened if Daniel stopped fasting and praying on the 20th day? What if He just gave up? Would he have gotten the answer he was praying for? I don't think so, I think that is what the enemy was trying to make happen. I think this is why Jesus told us to be presistant, not because God may not give right away unless we bug Him. I think Jesus was telling us that God is better than that to us, and not like this evil judge.

That's what I think anyway