Prayer Chains

Father sure never intended for prayer to become a chain that binds us. He never intended our conversations with Him to be obligatory.

I am not a fan of so-called “prayer chains” for a number of reasons. It has been the experience of many that participating in prayer chains produces a kind of heaviness. Often there is a sense of obligation rather than conversing with our Father out of real concern.

I find no Scriptural support for the idea that having many people pray for something makes any difference at all. In my view, this is especially true when those praying are not directly connected to those being prayed for. In such cases we have no true understanding and consequently, we very often pray as a matter of duty instead of from heartfelt concern or compassion.

To me, prayer is a way in which others close to us can share our burdens, weeping when we weep and rejoicing when we rejoice. I find no scriptural evidence for the kind of broad group prayer that is so common these days.

Reciting names from a list seems forced to me. Rather, let me suggest that we look to the Lord Jesus for an example. I absolutely love that Jesus prayed this, “I am not asking on behalf of these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word,” (John 17:20, NASB 2020)

He lumped everyone in history since His ascension into a single group. No list. No specific names. Yet the power of that prayer still affects us today.

James 5:16 tells us that the prayer of a righteous person can accomplish a great deal.

Pray.
Pray about what is on your heart.
Pray for those Father brings to mind.
Pray for those for whom you have concern.

Don’t be pressured into praying for things you know and care nothing about. Prayer is not a competitive sport.