2. Censor.
Second, pastors have to be careful not to share too much information with the whole congregation. The more details of a certain case that are given, the more painful emotions the hearers will experience.
Much of the details should be reserved for people who are intimately involved in the situation—family members, close friends, elders. Otherwise, we are gratuitously afflicting people’s ears, minds and hearts who can do nothing about the situation and who may not even know the people involved.
3. Divide.
Third, most large churches are divided into districts or areas. If you are a member and you are finding that you just can’t handle all the agonizing prayer needs from so many people (and you can’t), why not mentally limit yourself to thinking and praying about only those who are in your area. It’s probably still a hundred people or so, but it’s a lot more of a “normal” number to be concerned about.
4. Generalize.
Fourth, except in exceptional cases, maybe the public prayer could cover sick and needy people in general rather than sounding like a doctor’s report on a large ward. And maybe district prayer meetings could cover the sick and needy in more personal and detailed terms. That will cut down the number of needs to cover and carry in the congregational prayer.
There’s no easy answer to this. We don’t want to create a false impression that life is great for everyone and no one has any trouble. On the other hand, neither do we want to create the false impression that everyone is dying or suffering. Both create spiritually damaging climates that eventually depress and demoralize God’s people.
The unbalanced overemphasis on suffering and sadness also leaves indelible marks on children and young people.
