How to Write an Effective Prayer Request

 

A written Prayer request can either be a request written to someone or a group to seek for prayers concerning a particular matter or it can be an individual or group writing out the desires of their heart. Whether it a written request for prayers or writing out of one's desires, there are things to note and understand to ensure that the request can get the desired results.

It is not wrong to write to someone or a group asking for prayers as regards a particular matter. In fact, from the scriptures, this is a good Christian practice as it shows faith in prayers and harmony among the saints. The Apostle Paul in his epistles was fond of writing prayer requests.

Romans 15:30-31

[30]Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

[31]That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints.(King James Version).

The above scriptural reference is from the book of Romans which was an epistle Apostle Paul wrote to believers in Romans. It should be noted that Apostle Paul wrote out the request specifically and was clear about what he wanted the Romans to pray for.

Ephesians 6:18-19

[18]Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

[19]And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.(King James Version).

Again, from the above scriptural reference, the Apostle Paul added a written prayer request to his epistle to the believers in Ephesus. In verse 19 above, Apostle Paul was also specific about his desire and he was very clear in stating what he wanted the Ephesian believers to pray about.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2

[1]Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

[2]And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. (King James Version).

It is written in the Bible that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, a matter shall be established (2 Corinthians 13:1), so from the book of Romans, Ephesians and 2 Thessalonians, I have established that writing of a prayer request is not wrong and is scriptural.

Whether a prayer request is written to people to join you in prayers or it is written to specifically spell out your desires to God, here are a few things that must be put in place.

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1.   1. Establish Your Prayer Request on God's word

Your prayer request must be established in God's word. Prayers will only be effective if they are said in faith. At the same time, you can only believe God for what is His will. Every prayer request that is not in accordance to God's will is an impossible request. The Bible in 1st John 5:14 tells us of our confidence in God, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, he will hear us. To paraphrase a bit, we could say we are confident that any prayer request written is in accordance to His will, shall receive answers. As believers, we must know that faith that gets or produces results when the will of God is known; and there is no better place to know God's will than His word (the Bible). Therefore, when you want to write a prayer request, whether the request is to spell out your desires to God or ask other people to join you in prayer, ensure the request or what want you want is in accordance to God's will and can be established from God's word. This means that, when you have a request, you should sit down with your Bible and diligently seek out what the word of God says about the issue. 

 

2. A Prayer request must carry a need or want

A request is not complete if it does not carry a specific need or want. From the three scriptural references given above about the different times Apostle Paul requested for prayers, every request carried a specific need or want that the Apostle wanted to receive answers for.

Prayer is actually communicating your needs, wants or desires in words. When you pray and it is a prayer of request, there must be something that you desire to receive or get. If there is nothing you desire to receive or get, it cannot be called a prayer of request. Let's see something that Jesus said about prayer:

Mark 11:23-24

[23]For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

[24]Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (King James Version).

The above text is from Mark's account of the gospel. Jesus was talking to his disciples and he vividly described prayer: it is communicating with your mouth what you desire in your heart. Therefore, a prayer request is writing out what you desire in your heart so it cannot be called a prayer request if it does not carry a specific need or want.

 

3. A Prayer Request should be clear and Specific

When you are writing a prayer request to a person or group so that you can be joined to pray about something, you should be as clear as possible. It is good that the request be clearly specific. The prayer requests of Apostle Paul are good examples of this, all his requests were specific and straight to the point. This also applies to a person who is writing a prayer request to spell out a need or desire.

The use of prayer requests is not wrong neither is it unscriptural. However, whatever request will be written must be in line with God's will and God's word. Any request that cannot be established from God's word is an impossible request and thee is no need writing it out.