How to Request a Prayer

Praying for one another is part of our faith walk in Christ. God wants us to pray for one another as brothers and sisters in Christ and bear one another’s burdens (see Galatians 6:2). As you are here searching for how to request a prayer, know that such a humble act draws the grace of God to lift you up in whatever situation you are in and whatever request you may have in mind. As you ask for other believers’ prayers, the Heavenly Father knows your heart’s desire, and He will listen to His people’s prayers according to His perfect will and purpose.

So how do you request a prayer? The answer to that question may depend on whether you are asking for a prayer request face to face, by email, or through a direct online message. As there are many online ministry websites offering intercessions for prayer requests, the way you request a prayer must be written so that it can be read and clearly understood by the website’s moderator or assistant. 

1. For a Christian ministry website, page, or direct message, you can write your prayer request in this manner:

Opening/Introduction:

Name of Ministry or Minister,

My name is (insert your name). I am from (you may put your country). I am writing a prayer request, as I have seen on social media (or where you have heard the news) that you are accepting prayer requests. First, I thank the Lord for your lives, as I have someone to help pray with me and agree with me in my prayer request. May the Lord bless you even more as you help pray with and for people.

Your prayer request:

This is my humble prayer request:

(State the specific prayer request, such as healing, the salvation of a loved one, deliverance, a financial breakthrough, blessing, conception, miracle, etc.)

Closing remark:

Thank you so much, and I am looking forward to God’s answered prayer. May God bless you. Sincerely, (your name).

2. If you request a prayer face to face with a friend or a connection you know, it can be done with a simple conversation. Usually, you will want to build rapport before offering your prayer request. If you have time, you can catch up with each other and, from there, share whatever you may be going through and state your prayer request. If you ask for a prayer request from your close circle, you can be comfortable and direct with them when asking for a prayer request. 

What do you say when asking for prayer?

When asking for prayer, you should state your request honestly and simply; be open to those with whom God leads you to share your prayer requests. It is vital to be led by the Holy Spirit when choosing people to pray with you and agree with you in prayer, as you don’t want someone praying something else or disagreeing with your prayers. 

You should tell them humbly and openly about your prayer request; you can add a background story if you wish, but if you don’t have the time to do so, you can simply state your prayer request. For instance, if your prayer request is about healing a loved one who recently underwent surgery, you can make your prayer request in this manner:

Friend (name of your friend), can I ask for a prayer from you? My dad recently underwent heart surgery. Please pray for his speedy recovery and healing for him, in Jesus’ name.  Thank you so much, and may God bless you as well.

How do I request a prayer from God?

When making a prayer request of God, it can be done in the same way you’d ask a very dear friend. God wants you to be as conversational and natural as possible when offering your prayer request to Him. 1 John 5:14-15 says, And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Jesus also said in John 14:13, And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Whatever you ask in the name of Jesus, He will do it according to God’s purpose and glory. 

When your prayer requests are aligned with the will of God and Word of God, and when it pleases Him, He hears your prayers. You can be confident that God will answer your prayer request, and as Jesus said, He will do it as you ask in His name. 

For instance, if you are requesting a job promotion for your spouse, you can pray to God in this manner:

Heavenly Father, thank You for always being so faithful to my husband and me. Thank You for all the daily provisions and supplications for my family. You know all our needs, and I thank You for answering my request for my husband’s job promotion, as we are a growing family with bigger needs. You are greater than our situation, and I trust in You always, for You are faithful. Thank You for who You are, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Whether you are asking a friend, a connection, or God Himself for prayer requests, know that the Heavenly Father hears them and sees all your needs. He is faithful to answer them, according to His divine will, and He will never fail you in this lifetime. Keep trusting in God, keep praying, keep requesting and keep believing, in Jesus’ name.