How To Ask Someone To Pray For Me

As Christians and followers of Jesus Christ, we all belong to the Body of Christ. We are brethren—brothers and sisters in Christ and a family of God in His Kingdom. We need each other and should be there for each other, loving one another and shining the light of Christ in unity for all the world to see. Being new to Christianity and its way of living may take a while to process, fully embrace, and get used to, especially when you come from another culture of belief, theology, or practice.

As you are here looking for a way to ask someone to pray for you, in whatever case that may be for you, know that God is glorified and delighted when we pray for one another because it is His will. 1 Timothy 2:1 says, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.”

To ask someone to pray for you, you just have to be humble enough to admit the area of your life that needs prayer and respectfully approach that trusted person. Being able to ask someone to pray for you teaches humility, transparency, and compassion for one another. And when two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name, His presence is in their midst (see Matthew 18:20).

If you are going to do it face to face, just make sure that you are approaching the person at the proper place and time so that he or she isn’t distracted by something or someone. If you are going to write a message via social media or email, you may say it directly that you are kindly asking for a prayer request regarding the matter, and you may choose to open up about your struggle for better understanding and wisdom on how they may pray for you.

As you see that this person is free and available, approach him or her and build the communication first, such as, “How are you?” And as you see an opportunity to share and open up as the conversation flows, you can then tell this person, “Can I ask for a prayer regarding this matter?” Or if you are close to this person and you already have a deep relationship with him or her, you may go straight to the point as you confess what struggle or area of your life requires prayer. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for guiding me to the right person to entrust a matter of my heart. As I make my prayer request, I thank You, for You have already heard our prayers. Your hand of blessing is upon me, and I am expectant of Your answer in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Is it okay not to ask for prayers from anyone at all?

As mentioned earlier, God commands us to pray for one another. While there may be times when we don’t need to ask others to pray for us, there will surely be days or a season when we will find ourselves in need of prayers, and we must accept and admit we need that help from our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

While it isn’t wrong to refrain from asking others for prayers, especially if you don’t have a particular prayer request at the moment, the danger of embracing and getting used to the concept of not asking for prayers from anyone at all, even in your most difficult times, is welcoming pride into your life. Anything that we do that is not aligned with God’s Word is pride and arrogance before Him. And James 4:6 says, “…Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” There may be reasons why a person may not want to ask anyone for prayers even though they are in need. It can be a broken trust, betrayal, or disappointment, which can all lead to the decision of isolating oneself even in difficult times. God knows every detail, and He hurts for such a person. 

God wants us to walk in humility and compassion toward one another, which is why it is a command that we are to pray for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18 says, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

And James 5:16 says, “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.”

God’s perfect will is for us to walk humbly, pray for one another, and bear one another’s burdens. If you don’t have a prayer request for the time being, pray for other people. And if you go through a difficult season, be humble to admit you need the help and prayers of others because God gives grace to the humble. 

God bless your heart as you ask someone to pray for you, and may He grant the desires of your heart as You delight in Him, in Jesus’ name!