Prayer Request
Asking other people to pray for something specific in your life — a health scare, a job interview, a struggling family member.
What they actually mean
“"Here's what's going on with me; would you pray about it?"”
Heard in the wild
“Does anyone have a prayer request before we close?”
“Prayer request: my dad's surgery is Tuesday. Thanks, everyone.”
The Lighter Side
The primary currency of small groups. Also the church's most reliable news network. If you want the whole congregation to know something, share it as a prayer request.
The longer version
What it means
A prayer request is exactly what it sounds like: you tell other Christians what you're worried about or hoping for, and you ask them to pray about it. Requests get shared in small groups, in church services, on prayer lists in the bulletin, in group texts, and increasingly in church apps. Common ones: health, surgeries, job searches, marriages, kids, travel, decisions, grief.
Why people say it
Christians believe prayer does something — that God hears and responds — so asking others to pray is asking for real help, not just sympathy. But it's also the main way a church community finds out what's going on in each other's lives. Sharing a prayer request is how you let people in.
How to respond
If a leader asks for prayer requests and you're a guest, you can stay quiet; nobody will call on you. If you want to share, keep it simple: "My mom's not doing well; I'd appreciate prayer." You don't need to explain your beliefs.
If someone shares a request with you personally, the expected response is "I'll pray for you," or if you're not a praying person, "I'll be thinking of you" is honest and well received. The very best response, in either case, is to check back in a week and ask how it went.
If you hear it in different churches
Universal, though the format changes. Evangelical churches share requests out loud and in group chats. Liturgical churches often have written "prayers of the people" read during the service, a prayer list in the bulletin, and a box or book where you can write a request. Catholics may ask for a Mass to be said for an intention, which is the same idea with more structure.
Where does “Prayer Request” come from?
Asking for prayer is as old as the letters of the New Testament — Paul routinely asks his readers to pray for him (Ephesians 6:19, Colossians 4:3) and tells them to pray for one another (James 5:16 is the classic verse). The organized "prayer request" as a church practice — a list, a chain, a standing item on a meeting agenda — grew with the Protestant prayer meeting in the 1700s and 1800s, and the phrase itself became standard American church vocabulary in the twentieth century.
Good to know
In many groups, requests are paired with "praises" — good news to thank God for. If a leader asks for "praises and prayer requests," you can share either. Be aware that a prayer request shared in a group is not confidential unless the group says so.
You might also hear
Unspoken (Prayer Request)
Prayer & DevotionA request for prayer about something the person doesn't want to describe — "please pray, but I'm not going to say what for."
“"Something's wrong, I'd like your prayers, and I'd rather not explain."”
Prayer Chain
Prayer & DevotionA church's system for spreading an urgent prayer request quickly — once a telephone tree, now usually a group text or email — so that many people are praying within the hour.
“"The church's emergency alert system. For prayer, and also, inevitably, for news."”
Praying for You
Internet ChristianityThe standard Christian response to hard news — a promise to bring the person's situation to God in prayer.
“"I'm sorry you're going through this, and I'll ask God to help."”
Small Group
Church Life & ServicesA regular gathering of roughly 6–15 people from a church who meet, often in someone's home, to talk about the Bible, pray for each other, and build friendships.
“"A weekly hangout with a few church friends to talk about faith and life."”
Common questions
Do I have to give details?+
No. "I have a family situation I'd appreciate prayer for" is plenty. Many groups even have a word for the no-details version: an "unspoken."
What if I'm not religious and someone asks me to pray for them?+
Be honest and kind: "I'm not a praying person, but I'll be thinking about you, and please let me know how it goes." That's a good answer.
What's the difference between a prayer request and a praise?+
A request is something you're asking for; a praise is something that already went well that you're thankful for. Groups often collect both.
Heard a word we haven't covered?
Suggest a term →Get the Word of the Day
One new Christianese term in your inbox each day — free, friendly, and always plain English.
Written by Rev. Christopher D.F. Warrington, Ordained Minister, M.Div. · Updated September 2026
This entry was compiled with AI assistance and has not yet been reviewed by an ordained pastor.