Should Grace Believers Only Pray About Spiritual Matters

     Grace believers are divided over the subject of prayer.  Some in their zeal to correct the "name it, claim it" position on prayer, go to the other extreme and sound as if there is no need to pray or to pray only about spiritual matters.  Based on my study of the Pauline Epistles, both Pre-Acts 28 as well as Post-Acts 28 Epistles, prayer under grace is not limited just to "spiritual" matters.  In fact Paul taught prayer played a role in him being physically released from prison.  Philemon 1:22 states, "But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you." 

     Although Charles Welch held to the Acts 28 Dispensation Position (of which I do not entirely agree), he had one of the best positions on the subject of prayer under grace.  In fact I would say his is more correct than many of the Mid Acts positions that I have read.  Consider the following quote by Charles Welch on prayer from Things to Come (August 1913 page93):

{Some ask, “ Shall I only pray for those things which pertain to spiritual blessings ? ” Others ask, "is it right for me to take my business and domestic difficulties to the Lord also?” We have touched upon the great prayers of Ephesians, where the apostle prays regarding spiritual things, and if we turn to Phil. 4 . 6, 7, we shall find that he commands prayer for everything; “ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanks- giving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall garrison your hearts and minds through. Christ Jesus.’* Can words be more definite ? Spiritual, temporal, business and domestic affairs all come within this scope. . Shall God then invite our prayers, and shall He mock our supplications? Never! Let us, however, note the sequel carefully. It docs not say,. “ And all these things shall be added unto you,” what it does say is“ The peace of God shall garrison your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”, That means, that though no apparent answer is given, God has heard, He knows, and is silently, yet certainly, working all things after the counsel of His own will.}