Using Jesus's example of a holy prayer life, Christians can find comfort and blessing in asking for prayer for themselves.

Many times Christians believe that asking for prayers for themselves is selfish. This fallacy only serves to cripple their personal relationship with God. The Bible contains several examples of spiritual leaders asking for prayers for themselves. Investigating the Scriptures can free Christians of the concern of selfish prayers.

Jesus, a Model of Prayer

From Moses to Paul, Elijah to John the Baptist, Christians can learn much about prayer by scrutinizing these leaders’ prayer lives. But the best role model Christians can look to for guidance in prayer is Jesus himself. Jesus was a man who bathed his concerns in prayer. He provided several examples of how to pray, and He also provided followers the reassurance that it is acceptable to pray for and to ask for prayers for themselves.

Jesus Asks Prayer for Himself

Several passages reveal Jesus requesting something of the Lord that would benefit Jesus. Mark 14:36 records Jesus’ prayer, “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Jesus let God know that He did not want to endure the crucifixion and hoped that God would rescue him from it.

In John 17:1-4, Christians read that Jesus asked God to glorify his Son. Jesus was not afraid to open himself up and ask God to grant him honor. Some may think that is a rather large request to ask for God's blessing, but Jesus did not hesitate to ask.

But Jesus prayers were not all prayers of request. He also offered a prayer of lament. Rejected, in unbearable pain, hanging on the cross, Christians learn that Jesus cried out in frustration, “"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) Jesus showed believers that it is okay to feel dejected, to verbalize frustrations to our Father in heaven.

Christians should remember that Jesus was a man without sin. There is nothing wrong or unrighteous about asking for prayer for themselves, provided they recognize God's will and aim to use the answer to prayer for a good purpose. By assuming that it is selfish or wrong to submit requests before God, Christians may inadvertently send the message that they are somehow above Jesus.

God Wants You to Submit Your Burdens to Him

The Bible offers peace of mind that submitting self prayers to God is pleasing to Him. When believers express self prayer that acknowledges God’s sovereignty, they strip themselves of pride, a dangerous sin. They fall to His feet and let it be known that they need God. When they acknowledge that everything they have accomplished is a result of God’s grace, they humble themselves. In the process, they glorify God.

Supporting Biblical Verses

Several verses illustrate the urgency of casting all concerns to God. These verses should further provide Christians with the assurance of the importance of self prayer and how it is pleasing to God.

Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Philemon 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

James 5:16, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

Raymond Brown, former principal of Spurgeon College, perhaps hit home how important it is to offer self prayer. "To be prayerless is to be guilty of the worst form of practical atheism. We are saying that we believe in God but we can do without him. It makes us careless about our former sins and heedless of our immediate needs." (Benson)

Self prayer demonstrates an abiding faith that God hears, listens and guides, not controls, believers. Self prayer, offered with a humble and contrite heart, can ask God anything. However, the person must submit willingly to God’s will, must not request God to deny anyone their free will, and must not ask conditional prayers ("If this happens, then I will...").

Christians fearful that asking for prayers for themselves might be wrong or selfish can take comfort in the shelter that self prayer can be an act of humility, not of pride. Of reliance on Christ, not of reliance on self. This kind of self prayer should be a cornerstone of Christian faith, rather than the stumbling block.

“Praying the Prayers of Jesus” Rod Benson.