Gossip Disguised As A Prayer Request? Surely Not!
Posted: Thursday, March 05, 2009
by Abigail Richards
There is this new trend sweeping across Christian churches. What is it, you ask?
It is gossip. Gossip has been around for ages, but recently I have noticed a new method for spreading gossip. It is called the prayer request.
I used to be a reporter and I heard my fair share of gossip. I would listen as individuals would spill their guts about so and so local congressman or teacher or principal. They would tell horrible secrets and mistakes. I often times would ask if they would be willing to speak out if it was such a horrible mistake.
In church, gossip is now prefaced with a "We really need to pray for so and so." Then it will be followed by a vivid account of what someone is going through at the time. I know. I have been guilty of doing it myself.
However, something has happened. I became part of the gossip. It feels horrible to be the one everyone is talking about. Not that they are flat out gossiping because they are doing it under the preface of I am in need of prayer. People I never knew would come up and tell me they were praying for the situation.
Through that, God has convicted me of how bad gossip really is within and outside the walls of the church. The Bible does not differentiate between the sin of gossip or the other sins. Murder is just as bad as gossiping.
Not only is it a sin, but God is pretty clear of the dangers of gossiping.
"A gossip separates close friends." Proverbs 16:28b
Watch your words and hold your tongue; you'll save yourself a lot of grief." Proverbs 21:23
Gossiping not only destroys friendships, it destroys an individual's character. Think of the people who gossip to you. Do you feel comfortable sharing your life's troubles with them?
Here are some tips to handling and reducing gossip.
Question the gossip-Ask the individual if the person he or she is talking about knows they are sharing the information. Did they ask for prayer? Did they already pray for them?
Request quick action-When gossip is told under the preface of a prayer request, request to get the individual being gossiped about. Go to him or her and ask to pray together immediately.
Is it helpful to share the information? Before sharing gossip or prayer requests, ask yourself if your motives are pure. What is the point in sharing? Is it helpful or hurtful? Is it even true?
Picture Jesus. I know this is kind of elementary, but it helps me daily. Ask yourself if Jesus were right beside you, would you still be sharing this news. If you are being gossiped to, ask the person sharing the information the question.
Only share with God. When you are given a prayer request, don't spread it to others. Spread it to God through prayer.
These are only a small amount of tips, but it is a good start. Christians need to watch their mouths carefully as a sin is a sin no matter the severity. Take time to reflect on your own life. Are you contributing to the problem? Start to question the necessity of the "prayer requests."
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Enjoyed your article a great deal. Thank you, Linda D
My philosophy is: leave them to gossip as much as they want... they're in effect hurting themselves more than they are me (plus there's no such thing as bad publicity).Good article. Nice writing. Reinforces my opinions.
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