Category Archives: Requests

Answers, Bible, Hearing, Prayer, Requests, Scripture

PRAYER REQUESTS

ROMANS 1:10

“always in my prayers requesting if perhaps now, at last by the will of God, I will succeed in coming to you.”

I often ask waitresses or waiters at restaurants if I can pray for a request they may have. I did that this week at a Waffle House here in the Knoxville area. The waitress really shocked me when she said, “Yea, pray my husband can find work so we can stop living in the tent.” I agreed to pray and did as we blessed our meal. (I also left her a generous tip.) Prayer requests should be made knowing the Lord hears and will answer.

Paul wrote this letter to the Romans from Corinth hoping to visit them after he delivered a gift to the Jerusalem church and on his way to Spain. Paul uses a Greek word for “requesting” that goes beyond just asking. HELPS Word studies says, déomai (from the root deō, ‘having deep personal need, to be in want,’ see also déēsis, ‘felt-need’) – properly, to feel pressing need because of lack – hence, to make urgent appeal; to have deep personal need causing one to beseech (make earnest, specific request).” Spiros Zodhiates, a Greek scholar I knew personally, emphasizes the middle voice of this word. It’s a personal felt-need that drives Paul to make this request of God.

APPLICATION

In Luke 5:12 we see this same word used. “While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged Him, saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’” Of course, we know what happened. Jesus was willing and healed him. Look at the next verse there. “And He reached out with His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ And immediately the leprosy left him.” Why would Jesus not do the same for us when we beg Him like this?

When Paul appeared before Agrippa, he was still begging, not for his life, but for Agrippa to hear him clearly. “…I beg you to listen to me patiently.” Have you begged someone to listen to you? I meet with men all the time. I beg them sometime to listen to His Word, not the world. I beg them to get quiet and listen for God’s voice. I beg them to put aside any impurity in their lives and walk with Jesus.

I am begging you today. I implore you today. Listen to the words of Christ. Get into His Word and see for yourself what He will do for you, if you just obey. I am begging God for you. And like Paul, I am asking the God of heaven to allow me to see some of your faces soon.

Father, I know You hear every request we make. Help me show this personal heart-felt need to come to You daily on behalf of others.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Perseverance, Prayer, Requests, Scripture

PRAYER IS ESSENTIAL

EPHESIANS 6:18

“With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints,”

I recently read a quote from Corrie Ten Boom that said, “Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it.” Pretty good advice, right? Martin Luther allegally said, “I am so busy today, I only have time to pray four hours.” What?! When is the last time you or I prayed for four hours? Prayer is the key to our intimate walk with the Father.

Paul ends his discussion about the armor with today’s verse. Many people end the discussion with verse seventeen about the helmet and sword. But without prayer, the armor isn’t complete. The word Paul uses, both the noun and verb form, means an exchange of wishes. It’s an expression from us to God. And Paul tells us to “pray at all times in the Spirit.” In other words, pray intently according to how the Spirit leads. He is not saying to get all out of control. The Spirit always leads us toward God.

APPLICATION

Then Paul gives us two applications for this prayer. We are to “be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints.” I really like that Greek word which is translated as “be alert.” It is agrypnéō (from A, “not” and hýpnos, “sleep”). It means no sleeping, staying vigilant (alert, attentive), without any unnecessary time off. (HELPS Word studies). Have you ever fallen asleep sleeping? Well, I have been guilty of that.

This word is used in Luke 21:36 where Jesus says, “‘But stay alert at all times, praying that you will have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’” When we are praying, we are literally in the presence of God. We are in His throne room. So be alert with all perseverance (which means to be steadfast).

The word used for “requests” refers to specific requests. As I lead Every Man A Warrior’s Prayer ministry, I am constantly asking our men for specific ministry related prayer requests. Why? Because I want to pray specifically for them. Nice, general prayers are good, too. But here in today’s verse we are told to pray specifically. Have you done that today? Why not now?

Father, let me never take prayer for granted. It is a joy and privilege to pray steadfastly and specifically.

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Accountability, Asking, Bible, Calling, God's Will, Prayer, Requests, Scripture, Talking

YOU’RE IN MY PRAYERS

EPHESIANS 1:16

“do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;”

For years now I have been praying for a list of friends, family, fellow missionaries and ministries. I am pretty regimented in my list. I have a daily prayer list, a weekly prayer list and a monthly prayer list. If I did not do that, I would definitely leave someone out of my prayers. But I also try to pray spontaneously when someone asks me to pray for them, either in person or through text or email. It doesn’t take but a second or two to bow your head and lift up a prayer to our Father.

Paul loved these believers in Ephesus. He knew he was probably not going to see them again, so he wanted them to know how grateful he was for them and that they were in his prayers. When someone tells you they are praying for you, that means a lot. I am sure when this letter was read to the church, they all smiled, picturing their beloved teacher and fellow believer. They knew the power of his prayers. This brought them comfort.

APPLICATION

Who are you praying for? Who are you praying with? I have to confess something. The one person I don’t pray enough with is my wife. Sure, we pray at meals and once or twice a week before we go to sleep. But I mean we don’t spend that extra, consistent time we need as a couple praying with and for each other. Forgive me, Chris. Encourage me to do better.

Okay, I had to say that.  They say confession is good for the soul. I bet you are not much different. We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing. Paul uses the adverb, adialeiptós, three other times in Romans 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 1:3 and 2:13. Adialeiptós means to not allow any interval of time to separate. We should always be in a spirit of prayer. Prayer is our way to communicate with God. Why would we ever want to stop talking to Him?

A.W. Tozer said, “The key to prayer is simply praying.” It’s not that hard. There are no magic words, just open hearts. Pray for your family. Pray for your friends. Pray for people you know who are lost and need Jesus. Keep praying. Don’t stop. He hears each and every prayer you offer. He will answer in His time, in His way.

Give me knees that are calloused from bending in prayer before You, O Lord.

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Advocate, Asking, Attitude, Bible, Boldness, God's Will, Requests, Scripture

SPEAK UP

ZECHARIAH 3:5

“Then I said, ‘Have them put a clean headband on his head.’ So they put the clean headband on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the LORD was standing by.”

Have you ever been watching someone build something and see something missing? If you are like me, you can’t help but speak up and suggest it. In my ministry, there have been times a thought would cross my mind in a discussion with a team about something that would just be the answer. Once it was mentioned everyone agreed that it was just what the group had been looking for. I attribute those thoughts to the Lord. He is the giver of all good things.

Zechariah is standing by watching the angels dress Joshua with the festive robes (see yesterday’s blog) and notices something is missing. Aww, the “holy crown upon it and the plate of prate gold, on which was graven, Holiness to the Lord” Exodus 28:36-38; Exodus 29:6. You see, this “crown” was to be worn by the high priest before the Lord. Zechariah suggests this in a prayerful tone, and his request was granted.

APPLICATION

The part of this verse that struck me is that Zechariah was bold enough to speak up, and his request was heard and immediately acted upon. We need to speak up. We need to let the Lord know our requests. I love Psalm 40:1. “I waited patiently for the LORD; And He reached down to me and heard my cry.” The Lord wants to hear our voice.

Notice Zechariah wasn’t asking for himself. He was praying on behalf of Joshua and the nation. When you see a brother or sister in need, stop right then and give God a shout out. Speak boldly. Come before the throne of grace on their behalf. We are commanded to pray for one another. Do that today.

In my daily Quiet Time, I pray through a list of people daily, weekly and monthly. These are friends and family. Some are fellow missionaries I have known for years. What a joy to hear back from some of them thanking me for praying. Ask your friends how you can pray for them and then do it. God is listening!

I know You are always listening, Lord. Your ears are attentive to my cries for mercy.

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