Prayer Chains

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20

I suppose this scripture is one of the reasons people have come up with prayer chains. In the olden days, people actually made phone calls to each other, and spoke of the prayer need. Now, prayers are passed along in mass emails. We just read the black letters on a white background.

I've received such emails. I see the massive list, and I wonder: did the people ask to be on this list? If they did, are they really praying, or do they just like to be "in the know"? I'm sorry if this sounds cynical. I have a reason for feeling this way...

Recently, I've had a few medical tests/procedures, and I really just wanted to keep the details among close friends and family. It's not that I didn't want people to pray for me, but I only told specific people who were close to me because...I don't know...I just wasn't ready to tell the world. It could still be nothing. If it would turn out to be something, perhaps I'd be more willing to share. Not sure if that all makes sense. However, my request was put on an email prayer chain, so now, people I probably don't even know are aware of my situation.

Should I be thankful for prayers? Yes, of course. But do I think that MANY people are on such lists just for the sake of being on the list and for the sake of seeing what's going on with others? Yes. Again, I'm sorry. For those of you who earnestly pray when you read requests, thank you. I just didn't want my info out in the open yet.