B737-900
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
In the vicinity of ZZZZZ intersection power was reduced to idle as aircraft intercepted descent path on the ZZZZZ 5 arrival.  Master Caution; Fuel; and Filter Bypass light on #1 Engine illuminated. Flying duties were transferred to First Officer and QRH procedure was accomplished.  Only the #1 Engine Filter Bypass was illuminated and the engine was operating normally. Decision was made to continue to ZZZ and request priority handing as a precaution and to avoid any unnecessary delays. ATC controllers were very helpful with one exception. When we checked in with Approach Control  (I believe the frequency was X) the controller immediately issued us a 40 knot reduction in airspeed to sequence another aircraft in front of us. This would have created an unstable approach and was the exact situation we were trying to avoid by asking for priority handling. We reminded him that we were a priority aircraft and were beginning to slow as we configured. Normal landing was uneventful with Tower and Ground controllers again very helpful.  Dispatch; FODO [Flight Officer Duty Officer] and line maintenance in ZZZ were contacted and briefed. Flight Attendants were debriefed.Brief Approach controller on importance of assisting Emergency Aircraft.
Captain reported an engine fuel filter bypass light illuminated. Captain elected to request priority handling to land at destination airport.