Unspoken Prayer Requests

Yes, we are all human, but, thankfully, not all pastors related private counsel. I didn't even disclose events to my wife.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Jim,

We are of the same mind. I thank God for a godly pastor who taught me early on about the importance of pastoral integrity in the matter of handling such issues.

 

Uh-oh, we're agreeing here and i haven't even had any kool-aid:laugh:

 

Amen, Sister -- you are so RIGHT ON!

:godisgood:

 

You probably hit the nail on the head with that one.

Thanks,

Larry

 

And yet again you take something said in conversation and twist it to the extreme. I just don't get that.

Anyhoo, I'm talking about people who just say "I've got an unspoken" and that's it. I mean come on, that's crazy. It's awkward. That is what I'm talking about because that has been my experience with these kinds of things.

Now it's completely different than saying "Hey I've got a bunch of stuff going on and could use some prayer over ______" and speak in generalities. There is no need, imho, to get explicit about stuff that could either glorify the flesh or create schism in the community.

My other point, about not being able to trust your church is important though. You should be able to trust your church. Its your spiritual home. In this home you should have the safety to speak your heart. If you don't have that safety go somewhere where you can find it. I'm pretty serious about that too.

How many people have a group, probably a small one, where they hold each other accountable and do cover the intimate details of life. If you have this it negates the above issue. In these groups you can find a tremendous level of spiritual growth, nuture, and support. In these groups you can't say "I've got an unspoken" because that isn't what these groups are about. Most of the people I've met who do the awkward "unspoken" requests don't have these kinds of groups...yet Scripture compells us to find such accountability.

 

That's fine and I've addressed it.

It's completely ungenuine. It's like saying "Hey there's something wrong", well what is it? "No there's just something wrong."

If you want prayer come forward and we'll pray for you. You never see anywhere in the New Testment Paul, Peter, John, or Jesus saying "Hey pray for us...but its not important what its about." You never see it.

Rather Jesus' whole model for prayer in groups is being transparent and honest. Sitting there holding back isn't authentic nor transparent.

James 5:13-16 is pretty explicit about being open and honest with each other. Holding back and just saying "I've got an unspoken" and that's it does nothing to foster trust, encourage the Spirit, nor adhere to Scripture.

I'd like to see a place in Scripture where people were okay with someone not sharing honestly.

Please go back and read my statement. In an open group I'm not talking about gory details, I'm talking about honesty and openness. Your community in a local church is built on these, and several other pillars. When you hold back you fail to receive and give honestly and openly.

I don't know what you're going for here but the situation was dealt with tactfully and prayed for earnestly. If you want to impugn my character and ministry that is fine but I'd recommend backing off because you weren't there. I used a recent illustration. I didn't need to include the result. Suffice to say the situation was handled well but still created an awkward moment that was unnecessary. I could just as easily recount times in my youth group growing up where the same person would raise their hand and repeat "I've got two unspoken prayer requests" every week for over two years. It does not foster community, trust, or authenticity.

Seriously read the above passage from James, read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; read 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; read Ephesians 6:19-20; read 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8; read Colossians 4:2-6 and show me where I can hold back sharing honestly with those I trust in Christ.

How do you know this didn't happen? Seriously you're pretty eager to impugn my character but I would ask you hestitate at the point that the issue was resolved.

I didn't say the person was crazy, I said approaching it in this manner is crazy. The idea that we can live isolated, spiritualist lives is so against the goals of Gospel.

Again, you weren't there you might want to back off this line of criticism. My point and example was how this kind of spiritually selfish practice stifles community and honesty. That is my point. I don't need to explain to you my pastoral method or practice. It is, frankly, not your business anyways.

The greater point is that if someone is dealing with something that is holding them over and bringing them down we as a community can pray more effectively for them as they are honest with us. Now the first part is finding an accountability group to express deep concerns with. The second part is trusting your community with important information. There is a delicate synthesis there that needs to be maintained.

That said feel free to show me a place in Scripture where unspoken prayer requests are kosher and I'll relent.:thumbs:

 

This is a misrepresentation of unspoken requests and the reason they are asked for. And there is no scriptural mandate that forbids such. You would have to reach higher than heaven to create one.

 

Show me a scripture where a pastor is to maintain privacy. There are plenty of things and events not covered by a specific scripture.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Show me a scripture that allows a pastor to blab to anyone he pleases about another's personal problems.

 

No, you stated people get laughed at in your church if they have a private prayer request between them and God, but want other beleivers to pray for them also. People are just nosey and want to know everyone elses business.

not in the least, people have a right to privacy, and y ou won't ge tit in churches. Certainly not when people find prayer laughable.

Tell that to them not me.
I spent a couple of years working with women's ministry, and know a lot of peoples secrets, and have never spoken of them to anyone. Yet this has not been my expereince with others. Several times I've heard talk of something I said in private, or they spoken of it to me in front of others, thereby telling my secret to everyone.
I don't tell anyone anything anymore.

jim, are you saying it's alright for a pastor to not keep things he learn from epople secret. I mena, supose I go in to talk with the pastor about something, maybe it family, maybe it's a persoanl struggle, is he to keep it secret or not? If not then isn't it gossip?
Just want to be clear on what your saying.

Doesn't exsit.
I've also expereinced this. Don't trust pastors anylonger either, they talk about you behind your back.

 

I believe it falls directly under the heading "he must be without reproach"