Stop Discounting Your Prayer Requests: Every Need Matters in Community

In the last few years, I’ve had the blessing of joining several moms' groups and women’s Bible studies. One thing all these groups have in common is taking prayer requests. Sometimes we write them on cards and pass them to the person next to us, other times we fill out a sheet that gets passed around, and occasionally, we share out loud.

If I’m being honest, this process can sometimes make me feel anxious. I find myself trying to come up with something “good enough” to add. When others share heavy requests—health crises, financial struggles, or family issues—I start to wonder if my concerns are significant enough to mention. If things in my life are going relatively smoothly, I might hesitate, feeling like I need to manufacture a request that carries more weight.

One of my personal stressors has been the many hats I wear as PTA President, which can be overwhelming at times. But when I hear others talking about much bigger challenges, I start to think, “Maybe I just need to suck it up and be grateful.” But deep down, I know this isn’t right.

We all face different seasons, and comparison doesn’t belong in the prayer circle. God cares deeply about every aspect of our lives, big or small, and so should our community of faith. It’s not just about sharing with God, but about being vulnerable with others. Your prayer request doesn’t have to “measure up” to someone else’s. Whether it's a PTA meeting or a major life crisis, God hears and values it all, and so does your community.

So let’s encourage each other to share boldly, knowing that in community, every prayer matters. When we open up about our real struggles, we invite others to support us, pray for us, and remind us of God’s presence in every situation.

A Helpful Tool for Your Group

If you’re part of a group that regularly shares prayer requests, I’ve created a Prayer Request Sheet to help make the process easier. This simple sheet includes spaces for each person’s name, along with areas to share both prayer requests and praises. It’s a great way to keep track of what to pray for and to celebrate answered prayers together!

You can download it for free from my Freebie Library. I hope this tool helps you feel more organized and confident as you share your needs with your community!

If you have a second: