At what point did taking prayer requests become the equivalent of asking for a medical report on the family and friends of all present?
I don't mean to sound heartless. But would it be possible for us to stop being so fixated on the physical to the sometimes (oftentimes?) COMPLETE neglect of the spiritual?
Is my experience the same as yours?
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14 comments:
Simple answer... YES
It's very strange but I notice this as well.
At the hospital, we pray for physical healing of course, but you hear us pray more for the spiritual and emotional well being of ones health. Without one, the other is really no good.
It's great to intercede for others and their physical state. If we pray for uncle jacks sore arm...is that going to get him right with God? Not really. Do we wish his pain to go away, absolutely. I would wish more to be celebrating with him in Heaven.
and yes again.
I struggle with this same thing. I have intended to blog about it ever since last summer when something I read, forever changed my understanding of prayer. I'll try to post the excerpt of what I read soon. It's powerful stuff and brought me closer to understanding that Jesus came to heal us spiritually first. Physical healings had their place but were not His goal. I'm learning to pray for the spiritual development that this trial will bring rather than for the trial to go away. I sometimes so easily forget that our battle is not against flesh and blood and pray just for the flesh. Thanks for the reminder! Good stuff Shane!
I think, many times, it's easier to admit that there's something wrong with us physically than to admit to a spiritual weakness. We all desire to appear to know what we're doing and where we're going. We like the illusion that we've got it all together... whether it's safe to hide behind that or if it's pride that keeps us that way... that is my observation.
and mentally, and emotionally, and spiritually...
Excellent post brother.
Keep up the great bloggin!
I agree.
Sometimes our prayers sound like they are announcements we are making to God giving him location coupled with directions as if he didn't know what room in the hospital they are in.
Dude, are you ready for this? You can delete if you need to, but I got an email recently from a lady who asked me to pray specifically for her daughter's left breast! Yep, seems the new mom was having a hard time with nursing and to make a long story short ... I struggled with asking the Lord for a blessing on a new mom's left breast.
So today, my church has sent out 2 different prayer request emails (usually we have one that goes out on Monday, then one later in the week)
We have 19 prayer requests for something health related, NOT including all of the homebound members that are on the list for health reasons.
Amy - and how many for spiritual concerns? I'm interested in the ratio.
Trey - Good thing she didn't ask you to come over and lay hands on it as you prayed... ; )
Most of the names don't have a "published" concern next to it, usually that just goes into our prayer room, unless they say "I want everyone to know what's going on.
45 Names on the list total. 19 definite health issues. 3 families (multiple people) for bereavement, 1 job hunt, 4 for family situations. And if we assume that the rest are spiritual concerns that leaves about 10.
Most of the health concerns listed are cancer/extreme illness or surgery.
I agree with you whole heartedly! How many blessings are we missing by not just praying thanksgivings! Or praises! Or even praying in such a way that we express that we ALREADY know that God is working in ANY area. How about praying God's promises from scripture? After all, WE are the ones needing to pray rather than God needing our prayers. Our wills need to align with His, rather than us trying to change His will.
Have you thought about how much the "physical" affects the "spiritual"?
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