I think this would be a nice feature.
Be able to read notes while requesting
And check your skills and spells 
It is more to cure player boredom than anything right? I mean the idea is your requesting your god to see if your worthy. That would be like reading the newspaper while your in court lol
Finding time to read notes is not always easy and if you're requesting, at 50, that probably means you have 4-5 mins of idle time for those really long notes you guys are into. 
Note list
Read note 15
Request item
Boom!
Note list
Read note 15
Request item
Boom!
Hehehehehe.
I just thought that was funny...
Note list
Read note 15
Request item
Boom!
Yes, basically the same, so why not allow the other way too? 
I'll agree. Sometimes you forget to "note read x" before requesting and then you're bored out of your mind for the next five minutes with little more than the who list to keep you occupied.
I dont know why we don't open notes when requesting - and helpfiles for that matter if they aren't.
Sure its a 'game mechanic' and you're praying to your God... But I could just be reading another website, or on the forum, or whatever.
Not being able to do it is a realisim +
Being able to do it is a game mechanic/enjoyment +