My question is this: Are we to pray for specific little things in our everyday life? My niece attends a Bible study and they always ask for special prayer requests. She asked them to pray for my teeth situation, that the new bridge will fit comfortably. I have never prayed for that, although, since May of last year I have not had teeth to chew with and have had to grind my food. I have had lots of oral surgery and now finally am working with a dentist who can’t seem to make the bridge comfortable. It seems to me that things like this are just a natural part of life. Then, one of my neighbors remarked that she had lost her keys and prayed that God would help her find them and He answered her prayer.
It got me to wondering if I have the right attitude about prayer. My thinking is that God has given us intelligence and expects us to take care of our own selves. My prayers for others are not for a specific thing. I ask Him to see your needs and to bless you according to His will.
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My “off the cuff” response:
Romans 8:26-27 testifies that Paul included himself when he said WE know not WHAT to pray for as WE ought. He does not say we do not know HOW to pray, as we ought. Thus, whether we know what to pray for or not, we are not left without help. The Holy Spirit is there to supply that need.
He says we know not what to pray for AS WE OUGHT. This informs us that we should not be satisfied to be ignorant, but “ought” to know what to pray for. We have some searching to do.
Certainly the Lord wants us to pray for the eternal things, which are necessarily of utmost importance. At the same time he also commands us to pray for some temporal things. In the Lord’s prayer we are commanded to pray for daily food (Matt. 6:11). All the other parts of that prayer are for spiritual eternal things. Of course, if we already have food, there is no need to ask for more. Matthew 6:34 tells us that we should ask for things for the day we are living – sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. We can and are commanded to ask for anything that concerns us. Matthew 6:25-33 tells us that we are not to be concerned with WHAT we will eat or drink, or for the clothing we need. The Lord makes the promise that we will get that (Matthew 6:33), but he also instructs us to ask for those things (Matt. 6:11). Because of his promise, we can ask in faith and ‘expect’ to receive it according to this promise. We might pray for other things, but we can’t expect them unless what we pray for is his will (1 John 5:14-15).
As for general health: without health we are not able to serve him as well as we could with good health. Thus, if we were to ask for equipment that worked well so we could do more for him, it is likely that it would be his will and he would hear.
Several years ago, a brother said: “God looks after those who look after themselves.” This is a strange statement. If we look after ourselves, do we need his help? We should do what we can, and then, ask the Lord to do what we are not able to do. If we have ability to earn a living, but don’t, and pray the Lord will provide, he is liable not to supply what we need. Why? Because he has commanded us to work so we can supply what we need to serve the Lord and also help others in need (Eph. 4:28).
It seems to me that teeth that do not work well would be a detriment to serving the Lord. As for praying for a parking place, etc., these are rather mundane and maybe a little bit self-serving. At the same time, if we have a deadline to do some work for the Lord, it would be expedient to ask for a parking place if that is necessary to meet the deadline.
Asking ‘in faith,’ is asking for something stated in the word of God. Why? Because, without the word of God, we can’t get faith. Faith comes by hearing the word of God. Thus, if we ask ‘in faith,’ we ask for something he has promised, like food and clothing, or spiritual growth, or wisdom, understanding and knowledge, etc. Anything else we ask for, is asking in hope that it will be God’s will to answer the prayer (1 John 5:14-15).
It can’t hurt to ask for needs other than what would be to spend on our earthly desires (James 4:1-3). Anything we ask for which will help us serve the Lord cannot be wrong, even if he doesn’t give us what we ask. Serving the Lord is what the Christian life is all about. Again, it seems to me that would include teeth that work.
I am not sure what examples would be best, but here are some suggested scriptures that might help.
Matthew 6:9-13 – Asking for daily bread might be considered specific
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
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.
Matthew 7:7-11 – He gives us examples of specific requests for spiritual things
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 – praying for the Gospel to spread and that wicked men not hinder the work
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.
Romans 15:30-31 – Paul prayed to be delivered from evil men and the brethren would accept the money he brought from Corinth and Macedonia
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;
2 Corinthians 1:9-11 – The Corinthians prayed that Paul would be delivered
9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
1 John 1:9 – Confessing specific sins is required
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 8:28 – We need to keep in mind that God works everything together
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Ephesians 1:11 – Again, God is the One who works everything together
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
James 4:13-15 – God determines not only whether we live but what we do
13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
In this case, we can’t look after ourselves because we can’t ordain whether we live or die. In this scripture indicates God at least has to give permission before we can accomplish anything – whether we ask or not.
1 Peter 5:6-7 – God does care for us and can answer any prayer we pray
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
—Beth Johnson