Today let’s study what I consider to be Category C prayer requests - When my request expresses something I desire and the Bible doesn’t disapprove it. Some things that are important to us go unmentioned in the Bible. The psalmist said in Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” My faith for this type of request varies greatly, depending on three things.
First, notice how the verse starts, “Delight yourself in the Lord.” If your delight is in the Lord rather than in what you desire God is ready to give you what you desire. Second, how much Biblical light I can find regarding what I desire. And third, how badly I want the request.
Paul suggests that when a burden for someone is strong, there’s reason to believe God is in it. And if God is in it I have confidence that He will answer that prayer. Notice Philippians 1:7-11, where Paul says, “It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart…And this is my prayer.”
I’ve also noticed when I search the Bible I sometimes find sufficient support to move a request up to Category B or possibly even to A. As Paul wrote in another letter, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).
On the other hand, C requests are more often those I can fulfill by my own effort, without God’s involvement. Requests in the B category seem to require much more divine participation—and A-type requests come to pass only if God is involved. Again, motives may derail a legitimate request.
