How do you remember to pray for someone after you promised them prayers?
By stary1
@stary1 (6612)
United States
September 11, 2011 2:29pm CST
I use a pray list. Some people say prayers as soon as they make the comittment. I used to do that but some time ago it occurred to me to have a prayer list. There were so many requests on various boards and I wanted to follow through and not just pray once.
My prayer list is just sheets of lined paper and I merely write the person's name or avatar in the case of myLot..and I make a brief note for the reason for the prayer. I keep all my lists and review them. I wonder if anyone else has other suggestions. TY
4 people like this
15 responses
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
11 Sep 11
I'm very bad with lists. I tend to say a prayer right after I hear about the need, and then I trust the Holy Spirit to bring that person's need back to mind if necessary. The Bible says in one place that a lot of repetition isn't necessary. If it appears this person has an ongoing need, I put it on my computer calendar "to do" list, but I don't always consult my calendar. That's why I always pray once when I first get the request, or right after I promise someone.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
11 Sep 11
Wow, that is more or less what I said, but you said it better..lol
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
12 Sep 11
That's also in the Bible in one of the parables Jesus told, that even the unjust judge will finally give in to a woman's pleas if she keeps bothering him. This is in Luke 18: 2-8. The part I mentioned above is in the Sermon on the Mount, right before the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6: 5-9. This is when he is rebuking the Pharisees for their long prayers on the street corners to show how religous they are. He tells people to go to their closets to pray in secret, and not to use vain repetitions as he heathens do, for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. He says our Heavenly Father knows our needs before we even ask him.
I will admit that this context may not be talking about continuing to pray for the same thing. We do know that Paul prayed repeatedly for his thorn in the flesh, whateve it was, to be removed, but this prayer did not get a positive answer.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
11 Sep 11
I usually pray for them when I receive the request as here on my lot. What Ihave difficulty is that I do not know the name of the one to pray for if it is a mylotter. So I have to look on the profile. II try to put a picture of that person in my mind, and I do pray for those in difficulty. Not much in keeping lists as my writing is rather illegible, but I do try to get a picture in m mind. I am getting a memory course, because sometimes I forget names.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
12 Sep 11
I do remember people who have similar names to my relatives. I did try association, but sometimes that does not work as I also have to remember the association as well. Funny I can remember faces but have to see the person again and again to get the name right and sometimes that does not work especially if the person looks like someone I know. For instance because my older son looked something like my brother, I would often refer to him by my brother;s name. But fortunately both my sons started to gain weight and started to lose their hair while my brother remained skinny so that problem was overcome.
I did have a broken wrist a few years ago and after it was fixed, I never could write as well again. AFter about ten minutes my hand got tired. And it could not move as well.
1 person likes this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
11 Sep 11
That's a good idea. I've done that before at work, on scratch paper I taped onto my radio for a month or so. And I always pray when people come to my mind. I read about a man who kept a book like yours. He would write the date and the prayer request and then later, he would write the date of a resolution to the problem. It became a great book to thumb through and see the power of prayer and answered prayers.
1 person likes this
@stary1 (6612)
• United States
11 Sep 11
There is something 'extra' special about writing down requests, isn't there? I use 3 ring binders for everything I do on single lined paper. I have quite a few of them lol. It's easier to use single sheets for me for the prayer list and keep them close to the computer.
Interesting that the man you described wrote the resolutions..that must make for great reading..especially when people want something and receive something better. That would make a great novel and movie
Was this a published book?? Do you happen to remember the title??
Was this a published book?? Do you happen to remember the title??1 person likes this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
11 Sep 11
Not a published story. Just a prayerful man who carried a notebook with him everywhere he went and wrote down prayer requests from friends, family and co-workers. I guess it would be like a prayer diary.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
11 Sep 11
I use to make lists, but I just don't have the time anymore. Now when I see someone needs prayer, I send up a quick prayer at the time I tell them I am praying for them..Then if I remember before I go to sleep, I can add to it, if not, that's okay, because I already sent my request before, just now in as much detail.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
12 Sep 11
Thank you..I actually got this idea from my mentor, who had passed away a year and a half ago. She told me when we were on the prayer chain at the church we were going to, that she'd pray as soon as she got off the phone, instead of writing a list..
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
11 Sep 11
I think that's a great way to do it. We get a printed off list at church every Sunday that is handy, then u can add whoever u want. It was very long today, sadly.
When I pray for some help for something I try to remember to ask for help for everyone facing my same challenges.
@flowerfest08 (1677)
•
11 Sep 11
hi:)
oh that's so nice of you, I don't have a prayer list and when I say "I'll pray for you" for a friend, its just means I sympathize about him/her but not really pray for them " I guess that's my bad" perhaps I'll also try to make a prayers list:D
1 person likes this
silly me...I always thought it was literal and thought everyone else was...thanks for sharing that.
BTW..love your avatar
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
11 Sep 11
I think many people are like flowerfest and say they will pray for someone to indicate their wanting to help. I often wonder how many people mean it. I think some may mean it and not follow through because they forget.
@Celanith (2327)
• United States
12 Sep 11
yes having a prayer list is good and I have done that I pray at times right away but also pray later when I am ready for bed. My husband and I pray for people needing prayer and for other things as well and when we wake in the morning before starting our day we pray as well. It is good to hear when someone has had a prayer answered in a good way. We don't always know but we should pray for others anyway even if we don't hear how it turned out.
@Youreyes4Today (2356)
• United States
12 Sep 11
When I have seen that someone is asking for prayers for help, I will automatically start in a prayer for them. Even before I let them know I will pray for them. Some I don't even answer, I just take the time to pray for them.
I do know some need on going prayers because of the situations they are in. Lists like you have talked about seems good. I do know priests/pastors have them. What I do is say my prayers in the evening I ask God to please help all those I have prayed for that each needs his strength to get through the troubles, health, or life problems each day. Then those that I remember because of the long term problems I will say a prayer for.
I don't have a list, never have.. I do what I can with God's help.
@Youreyes4Today (2356)
• United States
12 Sep 11
I agree totally with you. If you are a person that prays, you will take the time in your own way. Each of us have our way of communicating with whom we believe in.
@orang13 (723)
• Philippines
12 Sep 11
I always believe that when others pray for others, its more effective than praying for yourself alone. So, i can relate to that. But for me, I have my own style so that I will not forget them. After they ask me to pray for them, I directly close my eyes and try to find peace in me. Then with the sign of a cross I start praying to God. Its very cool. Its just like talking to someone.
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
12 Sep 11
Yes anytime I promise a prayer I stop what I am doing and do say my prayer then. I do not write lists and do like your idea. Generally I do remember but then I also include in my prayers to also bless anyone I might have not mentioned, especially all of myLot's wonderful members. Sometimes when I do say this instantly some names begin to be remembered.
@Lauriedk (49)
•
11 Sep 11
I like your solution. I know that keeping lists of things I am likely to forget even though I want to remember them helps me to feel like a more effectiver person and often leads to me finishing things that I set out to do that wouldn't have been finished with out my lists. I encourage you to continue praying and know that you will be blessed for your efforts.
1 person likes this
@janevi (888)
• Philippines
12 Sep 11
I always mentioned them at the last part of my prayer intentions with a line that says," for the intentions of people we have promised to pray for'. I guess that suffices. :-) Whatever their intentions are, it is included by this general intention .:-)
@cow_boy29 (236)
• United States
12 Sep 11
hem i am sometime fogot to pray someone that i promised to pray them so i make a remember using my phone or my laptop and put it into the screen.
@vandna236 (35)
• India
12 Sep 11
promise is promise and commitment is commitment ,if u promise to prayer for someone then it is neccessary to keep on your words,and if i do this,then i am allways remeber this thing,becaeuse it is very exceptional case for me,when i promised to someone for anthing,and if i do this,then i prayer for him from my heart,because he is allways kept in my mind
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
11 Sep 11
I usually stop at that minute to pray, and then make a written list to review later. It is sometimes hard to remember everyone.
