A Christian man who’s wife was hospitalized with a life-threatening ailment posted on Facebook that he could not pray for these physical needs because the Pauline pattern was to only pray about spiritual things. Moreover, he did not believe God intervenes for physical needs today. Similarly, a Christian friend related to us that when his favorite Bible teacher was diagnosed with cancer, he said, “I knew I shouldn’t pray for his physical well-being, but I did anyway. I just couldn’t help myself.”

In the minds of many there is confusion about what is acceptable before the Lord to be included in our prayers. Fortunately, God’s Word gives us an abundant testimony. Philippians 4:6 encourages us to “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Here we are instructed to pray for everything, including physical needs. When Epaphroditus was “sick nigh unto death” (Philippians 2:27), God certainly intervened because Paul stated, “but God had mercy on him,” and raised him up in health so he could resume ministry (vs. 28). The Word of God indicates it is proper to pray for circumstantial things and that the Lord also frequently answers these requests. Paul said he prayed that “I might have a prosperous journey” to Rome (Romans 1:10). He also requested that others would pray for him “that I might be delivered from them that do not believe” (Romans 15:31), “that God would open unto us a door of utterance to speak the mystery” (Colossians 4:3), and “that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men” (II Thessalonians 3:2). The Apostle Paul further clearly confirmed that God had answered the prayers of the saints for physical or circumstantial needs. When he described his persecution as being so severe that “we despaired even of life” (II Corinthians 1:8), he assured the saints “Ye also [were] helping together by prayer for us” (vs. 11). Second Timothy 3:10-11 is even clearer, saying, “But thou hast fully know my…persecutions…I endured; but out of them all the Lord delivered me.” These patterns in prayer continued in Paul’s teaching through the end of his life. When he referred to himself as “Paul the aged” (Philemon 9) he told the saints “…for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you” (vs. 22).

Hold fast to the practice of praying about everything. Don’t rob yourself of the divine comfort and intervention the Lord would give you. Pray about everything!