Is it wrong to pray for yourself?

[briang72]

I highly doubt that always praying for oneself is sinful. What if I am always praying for wisdom, or patience, or the ability to recognize God’s will for me? The only way I could see prayer for oneself becoming sinful is if what you are praying for itself is sinful. For example, praying for harm to come to someone undeserving would not be advised.
Matthew 7:7-11:

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread,

or a snake when he asks for a fish?

If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.

 

[Isa_Almisry]

Only if we are the sole focus of our prayer.

yes.

After all, Our Lord prayed for Himself (let this cup pass).

 

[latinmasslover]

yes.

After all, Our Lord prayed for Himself (let this cup pass).

I don’t want to start a spat, this comment can be taken a couple of ways…mind if I ask how you mean it?

 

[latinmass]

Dear Lord have mercy on me, a sinner. Please do not give me what I deserve. Have mercy on Your Church. All of us. What else is more important than that?

 

[signit]

Second, I was told a long time ago that we should never pray for money. I don’t know why - but I don’t. A job? Yes. To prosper in daily life, yes. But not praying to win the lottery, etc.

I would think it would be acceptable to pray for reasonable material needs but not large amounts of money or luxuries.

And if these needs are met you might be in a better position to serve God rather than worrying about your day-to-day existence.

I pray for my day-to-day needs all the time but I always try to give thanks and I pray for the needs of others as well.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

Post # 6 hit the nail on the head. Yes it is OK to pray for yourself. To pray for strength in temptation, to pray that you may learn to love God with your whole heart,soul, mind, body and all your strength, and your neighbor as yourself. Prayer is essential, both prayer for self and others. Also, don’t forget prayers of thanksgiving, praise, worship. Pray for strength to live a good clean life, free from sin. If we pray for intercession of the saints, that is also a form of praying for self. it is OK OK OK OK OK If we examine the “Our Father”, part of it is praying for self. And this is the prayer that Jesus taught us.
Deacon Ed B