Prayer Partners

God always hears us. However, at times our sight may be clouded by our own experiences or perceptions. We need the view of others. A trusted friend can gently help us to see ourselves. “I promise you that when any two of you on earth agree about something you are praying for, my Father in heaven will do it for you. Whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you.” (Matthew 18:19-20, CEV)

When we have communicated and agree, we can pray together, and God will answer. When we gather together, God is there.

The best prayer partner is a trusted friend. Sometimes churches will assign people to each other as prayer partners. New friendships can grow from these partnerships, but developing enough trust to share at deeper levels takes time. With a trusted friend, one can share pains too deep to be shared with a whole church. Prayer partners watch out for each other spiritually. Times of prayer can be scheduled or they can happen spontaneously as needed. Prayer partners can communicate in person, by telephone or by email. Prayer partners bring each other’s needs to God. Both grow in their relationships with God. To be truly prayer partners, both people must feel comfortable enough with each other to be honest. A relationship in which one person shares while the other prays for him or her without sharing is more like a counseling situation than a partnership.

In describing the characteristics necessary for a prayer partner for a pastor, John Maxwell makes this statement. “The [two] must be of the same gender. You should never allow an intimate prayer relationship to develop between members of the opposite sex, unless, of course, they’re married to each other.” (Maxwell) It is best to have a prayer partner who holds no possibility for romantic attraction. Intimate sharing can precipitate and/or enhance romantic feelings. In addition, men and women think differently about issues. For prayer, it’s nice to partner with someone who can potentially better understand how you think.

Aside from praying for and supporting each other, prayer partners can also partner to pray for others, not only those they know, but for all who need God. Prayer partners can commit to praying regularly for those in their neighborhoods and workplaces to find a strong and loving relationship with God. They can especially commit to praying for the outreach of their church, particularly before, during, and after special outreach events. We will never know until we reach heaven how powerfully God used our prayers for others. Sometimes they help people we will never know. Often they help God mold us into the kind of people He needs to show His unconditional love to others.