Do you ever get overwhelmed with praying for those in need?

I don't know how God listens to all the prayers of sadness. It must go on day in and day out w/out a break at all.

When watching the news, I need to pray for what is going on in the world. Prayers for those around me that are ill, and those that are online with life troubles too. It's not that I don't want to pray, it just gets so sad seeing all that is going on. Sometimes, I just want to bury my head and close my eyes and ears to what is going on....and sometimes, I do.

I love reading/hearing the outcomes of prayers. Usually they are so wonderful. I've had my own little miracles occur thru prayer which is so awsome! I glow with Gods gifts and I share my thanks. Those prayers are easy.

What do you do on those days that you just want bury your head? Do you ever even feel that way?

Thanks for your input. This has been something heavy on my mind for a very long now.

By Gammiejoan on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 10:11 am:

Dana, I don't really get overwhelmed with praying for those in need; but the need to pray is definitely on my mind a lot of the time. As soon as I opened my eyes this morning, several prayer requests came to my mind. I spent several minutes praying for some of the requests that have been on this board in recent days as well as for some family situations. Often during the course of my everyday activities, a situation will come to mind and I will say a quick prayer. I can be performing some household chores or doing something else such as driving along in the car when I just feel the need to pray. I think I have changed my view of prayer a lot in the past few years. At one time, I thought I had to pray out loud and in a very precise manner in order for my prayers to be heard. Now that I know that that isn't true, I find myself praying more often in situations that would not be conducive to my old ideas about prayer. I also realize now that my prayers don't always have to be lengthy ones in order to touch God.

By Dana on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 10:17 am:

It's not the size or time of praying, its the endlessness of it all. The sadness of all that is out there is overwhelming. Not sure if I am able to explain how I feel. It has just been nagging at me, so I thought I would put the topic out there to see if I can find peace with it.

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 10:28 am:

I wonder, Dana, if what is overwhelming you is not the praying for those in need, but that there is never-ending need, and it seems to be growing exponentially in the last few years (though really, I think what is happening is that because of TV, radio and the internet we are just a whole lot more informed). Some people go through life choosing to be totally oblivious of what is going on around them and in the rest of the world, living a sort of "I've got mine" and that's all that counts to them. You obviously are not that kind of person. And knowing the kinds of evil and sad things are going on can be so very upsetting and frustrating when you know that all you can do is pray for them.

But praying really is doing something - if it doesn't do anything else, prayer offers up your concerns for those of God's children in need of prayers. I doubt that God ever tires of hearing the prayers of those who are praying for others in need - clearly not a selfish or trade-off prayer (you know - if you do this for me, God, I'll - whatever). I rather think that the unselfish prayers of people who pray for the needs of others must be a special kind of music to God.

By Happynerdmom on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 10:33 am:

I understand how you feel, Dana. There really is so much pain and sadness in the world. It sounds like God has given you a gift for praying for others, for intercession. That's a wonderful thing. You are sensitive to the needs of others for a reason. Sometimes God will put a specific problem or situation on our hearts so that we will pray. There is nothing wrong with our hearts being broken, weeping before God on behalf of someone or a situation. But, ultimately, we're told to leave our burdens with God. Pray for the need, then thank God that He is going to handle it. We are not made to handle the burdens of all the world, but God can handle it. One way to keep our perspective is to have a heart of thanksgiving. Start looking for things to thank God for, to praise Him for. I'm really glad you posted. I'll be praying for you...then leaving it in His hands! :-) (((hugs)))

By Amyj on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 11:01 am:

I try to say a little prayer when ever the thought comes to mind. Maybe in the shower, driving down the road... I also keep a prayer journal. In the evening before I go to sleep I write down a few prayers that are on my mind. I try to also write down when those prayers are answered. This has really helped me to see the power of prayer and the beauty in how they are answered. Not always in the way I had been thinking of, usually better! I only try to write a few so I don't feel overwhelmed and I don't worry if a few days go by and I haven't written.

By Pamt on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 03:35 pm:

Dana, I sometimes feel that way too. Last year when DH and I went on a mission trip to Nicaragua the poverty was overwhelming. There were many, many people who came to Christ while we were there. That was our goal, but I got so upset and worried about what would happen when we left. Who would follow up with these people, get them a Bible, etc.? It just seemed so big and overwhelming. DH reminded me that we serve a living God big enough to take care of those things without my help . I also was reminded of the scripture "He Who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it" (Phil. 1:6). God would be faithful to complete what He had started in the lives of these dear Nicaraguan people and that gave me such comfort!!

As far as the prayer worries go, you might try dividing your prayer time up by days. For example, Mondays--world leaders, current events; Tuesdays--family; Wednesdays--friends; etc. I used to have one day set aside for nothing but praise and thanksgiving where I made no requests to God, but just worshipped Him and let Him speak to me. I've gotten out of the habit of that, but this post reminded me of it. Also, another thing my DH helped me with was being burdened with all of those friendly little "say a prayer for me" requests. I thought how can I keep adding people to my prayer list and never know what happened and I'll ultimately have a list 20 pages long. What I do now is pray once and pray well for that request (i.e., posts on the prayer board here), so when I say to someone "I'll pray for you" it's not a lifetime commitment. Also, remember that prayer does not change God's mind and we don't do it for what we get in return. The purpose of prayer is intimacy with God. We don't pray to change God, we pray because it changes us.

I also does think God's heart must break with the sorrow He views daily and what is brought to Him in prayer. He could stop it all right now, but the Bible tells us "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentence." (II Peter 3:9) Also, suffering is as much a part of life as also is death. It is usually through suffering that we learn more about ourselves and God, so in a lot of instances think about suffering as a means to an end. Phillipians 2 is devoted to the idea of Jesus as the suffering servant.

In closing, here's a song version of some of the questions you are asking. It's a song called "How Long?" by Chris Rice (he's a great contemporary Christian singer--one of my favs)

How long until You defend Your name and set the record right
And how far will You allow the human race to run and hide
And how much can You tolerate our weaknesses
Before You step into our sky blue and say "That’s quite enough!"

Am I naive to want a remedy for every bitter heart
Can I believe You hold an exclamation point for every question mark
And can I leave the timing of this universe in bigger hands
And may I be so bold to ask You to please hurry?

I hear that a God who’s good would never let the evil run so long
But I say it’s because You’re good You’re giving us more time, yeah
‘Cause I believe that You love to show us mercy
But when will You step into our sky blue
And say "That’s quite enough, and your time is up!"

Am I naive to want a remedy for every bitter heart
Can I believe You hold an exclamation point for every question mark
And can I leave the timing of this universe in bigger hands
And may I be so bold to ask You to please hurry?

Am I naive...
Can I believe...
And can I leave...in bigger hands
And may I be so bold to ask You, to ask You, to ask You

How long?

By Dana on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 05:15 pm:

Thanks for everyone's input. I will keep thinking over it. At least I feel there is some direction now. When I feel the worst is when I want to turn my head and not look at who is needing and requesting prayers. I just want to say a general "God, you know who needs you, please be there" prayer. I then feel guilty for not being personal in my request. Sometimes I just feel there is so much need out there.....and I just want to ignore it. Well, not really "ignore" just take a break from the worries. I'm sure I am talking in circles here. But thanks again for everyone's words. Each post gives me a little more to consider.

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 07:41 pm:

Oh, Dana, sometime that is the best prayer. Yes, God knows. And your saying "please be there" only adds your prayer to the prayers of so many others who care.

Does God every get tired of prayers - I don't think so. But yes, sometimes we - you and I and the others here and everywhere - get overwhelmed with seeing so much need. Then is the time to pray what I read in "Cold Sassy Tree" as the best prayer to pray - "God, give me strength."

Which, for a lot of reasons, is what I am praying right now. Oh God, please give me strength.

By Palmbchprincess on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 12:11 am:

Dana,
I can relate, my issue isn't so much for the prayers, I generally just ask for strength, health, or whatever else is needed for those I'm thinking of. I don't often pray on an individual basis, only because I get overwhelmed. My biggest issue is the pain I feel for all the horrible things that happen. If someone gets sick, or a tragedy happens, it weighs heavily on me, even if I am not close to the person. Does that make sense? If I am close to the problem, I have the overwhelming urge to try and fix it. I have a hard time stepping back. Sometimes I just feel like a child, I want to pound my fists because "Life's not fair!!!" The serenity prayer is probably the closest to my heart... and hardest for me to live by sometimes. So I pray that prayer for all of us, and try to set it free to God. He can handle it, it's his job...

By Bea on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 05:56 pm:

When I was a child in Catholic school, I had a nun that told us we needed to find a saint that others didn’t know. She said that when you prayed to this saint, he’d be sitting there by himself in his Barco lounger reading the Heavenly News, when his phone would ring. It would be you praying. He’d answer excitedly, because he’d be lonely. When you’d ask him to help you, he’d be so thrilled that you remembered him, he’d promise to try his hardest. Then he’d call God. God would be excited to hear from your saint, as He didn’t see him very often, and would invite him right over for lunch. Then your saint would tell God your request, God would listen intently and promise to work on it. Then she said to picture a saint like Peter or Jude who were very popular. They’d be deluged with prayers and bugging God all the time with long lists of requests. I thought that what she said made sense, so found my own forgotten saint in a book called “The Lives Of The Saints”. I found a obscure saint and made him mine. Each day I ask my special saint to intercede with God on behalf of all those on my prayer list. Then I close my eyes and visualize them chatting over a pita wrap and salad and I smile.