So many to pray for....How?

[Kitty2kat]

Don't know if this is the right place, but lately I have been personally asked to pray for so many people that I'm not able to do it. There are those, for whom I feel led by God to pray for and I pray in earnest for them, and then there are others that I put into a lump prayer knowing that God will know my heart. Has anyone here ever have this happen? I mean everyone I know is either sick or knows someone who is sick or dying and they need prayer. At times I feel a little overwhelmed. I feel a bit guilty when I cannot remember everyone or if I just don't have the will to do so. What does all this mean?

[Jiggy37]

:bump

I think this would be better suited for Christian Chat, but I'd like to know an answer to it as well. The most important people to me in my prayers are, well, everyone I know... so I usually just say "I pray for all my friends" because I'm sure God knows what I mean, but I suppose it'd be nice to have confirmation in one way or another that that's not an "incorrect" way of praying (if there's such a thing as an incorrect way, that is). :confused

[Budgies]

... lately I have been personally asked to pray for so many people that I'm not able to do it. There are those, for whom I feel led by God to pray for and I pray in earnest for them, and then there are others that I put into a lump prayer knowing that God will know my heart. Has anyone here ever have this happen? God knows what we need even before we ask (Matthew 6:8), and the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we pray (Romans 8:26).Mat 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. I don't think our prayers need to be perfect for God to honor them. :D: (:gossip I say blanket prayers, too.) The important thing is that we pray unceasingly (1 Thess. 5:17) and fervently (James 5:16).1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Jam 5:16 Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.And, of course, we can't go wrong if we follow the pattern of prayer that Jesus set out for His disciples:
Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.
Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

(See also Luke 11:2-4.) :thumb

[Jael]

Most of the time, when I am asked to pray for someone, I pray immediately...that way I don't have to remember later that I promised to pray. The effectiveness of prayer doesn't depend on praying a long time, or praying in a kneeling position, or any of the rituals we sometimes attach to prayer. So if I pray while sitting in church or sitting at my desk or sitting on the Metro, and I pray in faith, I trust that God hears. Later when I devote more time to prayer, I will ask the Lord to bring back to my remembrance those he wants me to intercede for and He often does so. There is also nothing wrong with praying more general prayers...I often pray for all of the saints who are incarcerated, everyone suffering persecution, everyone dealing with the loss of a loved one, etc.

[D'Light]

Yes it can get overwhelming...to the point..I have not even been good about praying the past week.

But on the norm, I do a combination; some short prayers thu the day, evening prayers; I sometimes group them, like praying for soulls to be protected and save, family members and or friends, then healing prayers, which can be alot when ya include church members, and then situations, such as finacial, marriage and stressing times for families, prayers for guidence in others lives. I do these in blanket prayer, but dh, family and urgent needs I do separately.

God know our hearts, even if just for a moment during the day our heart goes out to someone, in kind thoughts...God knows!

[AllieCat0817]

I also pray immediately when I learn of someone's predicament. When I read the As We Struggle forum, I say one blanket prayer for everyone on there (as well as the whole board really!).

[antsinmypants]

One can always keep a list of people, and their needs, and read them over and ask YHVH to minister to everyone on the list, as he remembers all of their names and needs, and that His will be done.

We keep a prayer list at my congregation in this manner, and on Shabbat, and on the Thursday nights that the prayer team meets, we do this.
Also, we have an email list that prayer requests and praises are sent to each of us to pray or praise over, and often i read it and pray.. and forget from there.

If one promises to do something, it's a solemn vow. I'm bad about promising and forgetting and even I need to be reminded... don't promise on what you don't intend to do.

:hug

Just say "I don't remember the names or all the needs, please though- you know them, let your will be done".

Simple as that. :):

[MarkD]

I also say some "instant prayers" when someone asks me to pray for them.

However, I also carry around a small "prayer book" with me. It's a little 3 inch by 4 inch composition book that I bought at CVS pharmacy for a buck. I have written in there all of my more pressing prayer needs (salvation of certain family members, protections and blessings for my family, some personal issues, etc.) with specific prayers and verses to go with the requests.

Usually once a day (either in the morning or in the evening) I will do a quick read through to keep it fresh in my memory and also add any new prayer requests.

I keep this book in my pocket. It's small enough not to be cumbersome, but big enough that it's a constant reminder and when I am reminded I send up a quick "Lord hear the prayers that are in this book".

Anyway - that's how I try to keep from being overwhelmed.

[lbevis]

I keep a prayer list in my Bible. I try to be quick to pray when a concern or need arises. Also, as I think about something or someone I will say a prayer. And, as I am certain to forget some subjects on which I need to pray, I ask that the Lord be with each and every soul on the face of this earth and provide for their needs. God knows our hearts, our needs, and most importantly His purpose for our lives here. Ultimately I pray that the Lord's Will be done.

[blitzkreig]

God knows what we need even before we ask (Matthew 6:8), and the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we pray (Romans 8:26). I don't think our prayers need to be perfect for God to honor them. :D: (:gossip I say blanket prayers, too.) The important thing is that we pray unceasingly (1 Thess. 5:17) and fervently (James 5:16).And, of course, we can't go wrong if we follow the pattern of prayer that Jesus set out for His disciples: :thumb Very very good answer. AMEN ! :clap

[Slippery]

Most of the time, when I am asked to pray for someone, I pray immediately...that way I don't have to remember later that I promised to pray. The effectiveness of prayer doesn't depend on praying a long time, or praying in a kneeling position, or any of the rituals we sometimes attach to prayer. So if I pray while sitting in church or sitting at my desk or sitting on the Metro, and I pray in faith, I trust that God hears. Later when I devote more time to prayer, I will ask the Lord to bring back to my remembrance those he wants me to intercede for and He often does so. There is also nothing wrong with praying more general prayers...I often pray for all of the saints who are incarcerated, everyone suffering persecution, everyone dealing with the loss of a loved one, etc.
this is tight. Very practical.