How would it make you feel if you knew that someone was praying for you every single day? What difference would it make to your life?
Read on… as I am going to suggest a wonderful way for there to be someone on this earth who will pray for you every single day of your life!
A Truth to Remember
Before I proceed, I just have to stop and remind you of one incredible truth. If you belong to the Father; if your soul has been saved, and His Spirit lives within you, then you can rest assured that you are being prayed for 24/7! Romans 8:26-27 and Hebrews 7:25 assures you of that. What a relief, comfort, and joy to grasp this reality!
Well, here’s an idea… It’s simple!
Ask 7 people in your life to pray for you
Assign each person a day of the week
And there you have it – Full prayer coverage 365 days a year!
Not a bad deal is it?
Is this a One Way Street?
There is not only a lot in this for you. There are precious advantages in it for your praying friends too!
By praying for you regularly, your friend/family member will:
- Directly be fulfilling the command given in Galations 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
- Be motivated to have prayer time – Having someone to pray for, inevitably leads to other people and needs to bring before the Lord.
- Receive prayer too! As you thank God for your friend in your prayers, they will have the blessing of your supplications too (1 Thessalonians 1:2)
- Tick 5 “one another” boxes stated in 1 Thessalonians alone! Your friend’s prayers will be beautifully encompassed in covering their bases of increasing their love for others (1 Thessalonians 1:3, 3:12, 4:9), encouraging others and building them up (1 Thessalonians 5:11), and seeking to do good to others (1 Thessalonian 5:15),
You see, this is a win/win situation.
“No man can do me a truer kindness in this world than to pray for me.”- Charles Spurgeon (click to tweet that)
And you, my dear friend, will be reaping the eternal benefits of the prayers of the saints!
Make it a Blessing
Here are some practical tips to foster the prayer support with those who lovingly agree to pray for you:
- Send a weekly or monthly update with your prayer needs, life struggles, and spiritual challenges. You can of course be as personal and detailed as you feel at liberty to be, however, keep in mind that the more specific you are, the more specifically your prayer partner will be able to pray for you.
- Encourage your prayer partners regularly with answers to their prayers that you experience in your life! And you will be blessed to have the Lord answer their prayers.
- Send your prayer partners a note, card, or even an email once in a while to sincerely thank them for having the heart, taking the time, and caring enough to pray for you.
- Offer to pray for your prayer partners too! When you get to talk with them, or as they respond to your prayer request updates by email, seize the opportunity to take a genuine interest in their lives, and ask them how you can be praying for them. This is a guaranteed way of growing in your relationship with your sister, and forming a special bond that may deepen your friendship for years to come.
Word of warning to you, my friend
This exercise will require you to humble yourself.
Photo Credit: Flickr/God’s Fingerprints
Your prayer partners are not going to want to receive the likes of the following prayer requests:
- Please pray for my neighbour’s dying cat.
- Please pray for my husband to change in every area
. - Please pray for world peace.
Uh uh!!! We’re talking personal, specific, and humble-myself requests, for example:
- I have been struggling with vegging in front of the TV for hours each day. Please pray that God would grant me the discipline to invest my time wisely in His Word, and in the works that He has prepared in advance for me to walk in (Ephesian 2:10).
- I am so confused about my future. I really need God to develop the fruit of patience in me while I wait on Him to reveal whether He would like me to pursue Step A or Step B as my next step.
- I have been lashing out at my children recently, and feel irritability and anger surging inside my heart. Please pray that I would be self-controlled, and that God would grant me the humility to apologize to my children for the way I have been behaving towards them.
We’re talking humility… Try it – it’s freeing!!! (tweet!)
So… do you believe this idea would work in your own life? What would keep you from approaching 7 people and getting this undertaking on the road?
A good place to start would be by sending this post to some friends, or sharing the post on Twitter or Facebook. Maybe you’ll even get some volunteers to pray for you instantly!
What a great idea! Now I’ll need to find 7 people…7 prayer warriors
.
Thanks! I’m sure there will be prayer warriors waiting in long lines to get to pray for you, my sister!
God bless you… Let me know how it goes…
I adore this idea! I have just tweeted asking for girls to join me in this.
That’s great, Ruth! I’m sure there will be some gals jumping at the opportunity to serve you in this way! Love your enthusiasm! God bless you precious sis!
I’ve got a group of people that we mutually pray for one another. We live around the country. It’s encouraging. This is a great idea. Praying for others does build humility. Thanks for the challenge.
That’s wonderful to hear, Brenda! Praying has no geographical boundaries, so it’s wonderful to be able to connect with others by praying for them, and serving them in that way! God bless you and thank you for your excellent comments on the Women Abiding blog! Appreciate your involvement in this community so much…
This is a great idea, but I am not sure I feel comfortable asking people to do that.. Off topic – how do you get the verses to show up as “hoverable links”?
Hi Rachel. I understand regarding your hesitation to ask folks to pray for you. But don’t forget, it is more blessed to give than to receive, and many people would most likely feel very honoured to be able to bless you by praying for you.
Regarding the links, it’s a WordPress plugin, but you may be able to have it work on Blogger too. Here is their website: http://reftagger.com
God bless you!
Found you through “Inspire Me Monday”. I LOVE this idea!! I do have lovely people who pray for me and I can definitely feel the prayers of others on my behalf. I similarly pray for others, but usually in times of crisis. I am going to pray about who to approach about this…and offer to be each others “prayer partners”.
I would love to have you visit my blog and read my story of trials and blessings through my “thorn in my side”, temporal lobe epilepsy. I have a positive, God-given outlook. I blog about my faith, my family and how much fun I have along the way, even though I am battling this life changing illness. Look forward to connecting with you!
~joy!
Vicky
sleeping in an unmade bed
Thank you so much, Vicky! I did go to your website and spent a long time browsing and reading. What a beautiful testimony and attitude you have, in the midst of your trials. A true shining example to us all! May the Lord continue to work in your life, and draw you and your precious family closer to Himself day after day! God bless you my sweet sister…
Good idea. I personally think I’d be too scatterbrained to remember to pray each Tuesday, for example. I’d myself praying on Wednesday half the weeks and them there would be that horrid week I look at the calendar and go “it’s Friday”. I need the intensity of something like the Bible in 90 days to forge through my weakness with consistency.
Thanks for linking up with More than this Monday!
I understand, Pamela. I guess whoever you will be praying for would be very happy to just get a general “I’ll be praying for you during the week” kinda commitment, and of course among those folks that you ask, there will be those who will remember to pray for you on the days that they committed to. This isn’t meant to be a set in stone formula. The main thing is that we are praying for one another, and the blessing and encouragement that that brings… Thanks for your comment!
This is an awesome idea, so well explained! Not to get past that vulnerability thing…
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Laura! May the Lord help us all to be vulnerable to those whom He brings along our path. God bless you, my sister!
It is amazing to be reminded that Jesus prays for us 24/7 as he said he would do.
Always is, to me too… So humbling and astounding! xoxo
I pray as God places people on my heart. My family of course and others too. I am not sure I can ask someone to pray for me, I just know some do anyway.
That’s great, Nancy. This idea should be no means be a “law.” I’m sure it is very encouraging to know that there are already folks praying for you simply because they love and care for you. God bless you today and always!
I can think of two friends right off the bat that I would like to include in my prayer group. Both are from my church. One moved away last November with her family to Michigan. The other will be moving in a couple of weeks with her family to the other side of the state. We used to do play dates for the kids and crafting nights for us moms.
The rest may be a stretch for my introverted personality, but I know that with God, all things are possible!
Following from Matrimonial Monday.
Thanks for sharing, LuAnn. What you could do is possibly have those friends with whom you feel comfortable pray for you a couple of times each per week, and possibly fill up other days with family members. God has given you your personality, and I pray that He will bring people along your path that would be overjoyed to find that you are seeking prayer partners…Thanks for sharing…
I’ve also found that praying for people like this generates a real concern and love for them in our heart, so it really enhances friendships.
I have found that too, Loren. Prayer definitely moves people together, partly because we share more personal aspects of our lives with those who pray for us, knowing that they will take those to the Lord in prayer. Thank you for your comment!
I’ve done things similar to this with friends over the years. Prayer CHANGES lives! Thanks so much for sharing this excellent challenge!!
Totally agree, Kate! Really appreciate you stopping by. I think if we truly realised how amazingly the Lord answers every prayer, we would all pray alot more! Blessings!
I love the power of prayer
Amazing, isn’t it, Susan! It’s so incredible, and we will only comprehend the full extent of it when we are in Heaven with our Lord, I’m sure. God bless you!
An older woman had my name on a post-it on her bathroom mirror – she prayed for me without me asking. She sent went home to be with the Lord – and her daughter wanted me to come by – she had a mirror full of post-its. A loving heart reaches out to pray – I’m learning to do that. I now have post-its on my bathroom mirror:)
What a beautiful story! Thank you so much for sharing. I do believe that we will only know once we get to heaven all the prayers that were offered up on our behalf, and it will be so wonderful to realize that there were faithful ones who helped us walk on this earth in this way. God bless you and thank you again for sharing…
Thank you Tahila. This was a real blessing!! I wrote the Bible references down, so good!! I will pray for you every day!!
Awwww… Thank you, Judith! You are such a wonderful friend that I am growing to love and care for deeply. What a blessing the internet is (at times
)…
Love your thoughts for praying for others & having them pray for us! Oh how ever more as the day approached, do we need intercessors, people willing to take the time and lift each others hearts up to God.
UNITED in Him,
Jen
Absolutely, Jen! We need each other, and definitely more so, as you wisely stated, as the darkness gets darker, and as The day approaches! May our Lord find us faithful in this area, and lifting each other up before Him… Love it when you stop by!
This is a wonderful idea. So true and so simple. Why haven’t I thought of it. I loved this. I need to find me some prayer warriors. This really was great. Thank you for posting it.
Have a wonderful week,
Sherry
Thanks, Sherry! I’m so glad that you liked the idea, and I pray a blessing to many. Thank you so much for stopping by!
Thank you for entering again at “Tell Me a Story.” This is a unique idea to have others pray for you and you for them. I am happy that Jesus is on the throne praying for us all that our faith fail NOT.
Amen! Yes, we are never without prayer, which is truly a joy and a comfort! God bless you…
This is such a wonderful idea! I’m going to start praying to see who I should ask. Thank you. Thanks for linking up at Family Fun Friday at http://happyandblessedhome.com/category/family-fun/ Please stop by this Friday to see if your post was featured.
Best Wishes, Monica
http://HappyandBlessedHome.com
Blessings in your search for faithful prayer partners, Monica… Thanks for stopping by and taking these words to heart..
What a great post! – So True
Thanks for sharing! I needed this.
Great to hear. May God bless you richly, Trinity!
Hi There, I am in a place in my life where i am happy for any prayer! And the thing is… I don’t “feel” any different, but I KNOW in the heavenlies, God is working things for my good. His word says so. Prayer is awesome to receive, but it is also a huge blessing to give! Great post, great reminder of the responsibilities that come with praying. Thanks for linking up and I look forward to seeing you there again next week
God bless
Tracy
Thank you for sharing so openly and honestly, Tracy. I don’t know of one person on the earth who doesn’t at one stage of their lives or another need prayer more desperately than at other times. We need each other, and especially to pray for one another on a regular basis, not to mention during times of drought and heartache in our lives… So much appreciate you sharing… xoxox
What a wonderful gift and commitment that would be. I’m imagining getting a year’s worth of prayer coverage for Christmas! From 7 friends together.
Now THAT would make a fantastic gift (a bit hard to wrap though
) But one definitely worth working on… Loved your comment, Helene. Thanks so much!
I have a list of people *I* pray for daily, and I can tell you it’s changed *my* life! I have one very dear friend who prays for me and my family daily, and she’s the first person I call with a prayer request – such a blessing!
How wonderful to hear this, Mary. It really affirms the idea I’ve presented in this post, and encourages me to be faithful in praying for others… God bless you!
Lovely idea. There was a time when I was more organized in my prayer life, lifting up a different close friend and family member each day of the week. Good reminder to consider that again. Also, something that greatly ministers to me is when a friend stops right in the middle of conversation to lift a concern up to God for me. I want to do that more often as well.
Absolutely, Darcy! The beauty of prayer is that it can be done anywhere, any time! Praise God that He is always available, attentive, and loving! Blessings to you, and thank you so much for stopping by womenabiding.com. Really appreciate that!!
I love this idea. Prayer is so important and we could definitely use more of it – both being the recipient and the giver. Thanks for sharing this with Desire to Inspire at A Royal Daughter.
http://www.domesticblissdiaries.com
Can never have too much prayer! And reciprocating the blessing is always welcome… Although I guess the Bible says it’s more blessed to give than to receive… so praying for others would probably be even MORE blessed than being prayed for!
Blessings to you…
I think this is a wonderful idea! I like the idea of being covered in prayer all year round
Thanks!
So do I!!! Talk about a life-changing move in the right direction, huh?! Thanks for your comment, Sarah!
This is excellent! This would be a great project of a women’s ministry group. THANKS!
Absolutely! What a cool idea, Kathleen. There are probably umpteen ways in which to implement this prayer-project… God bless you!
Hi Tehila! So glad you dropped by and linked up! I love this post and your blog! Christians must realize that we are to follow Christ’s example of having a servant’s heart! Thank you for reminding us of this most important lesson! Looking forward to reading more from you! Have a blessed week!
Michell @Prowess and Pearls
Thanks Michell! What a blessing you are, and appreciate your words of wisdom! God bless you my sister!
What a fantastic idea!!! Visiting from Doing You Well link up!!!
Thanks Chris! God bless you… Thanks for stopping by…
Love this plan for prayer! I will be applying this in a few areas of ministry as well. Love it!
Sounds great, Heather! Keep up the great work for our Lord!
Tehila, I couldn’t NOT click on your link at Faith Barista, with such an awesome title. Then I came over here and saw the title of your blog–equally awesome:) I enjoyed reading this post. Such great specific ideas. Thank you!
Mandy! You brought such a huge smile to my face with this comment!!! What a hunny you are!
God bless you sis!
well said, sweet sister. Prayer is so vital. Great ideas on how to have accountability.
Keep up the God work.
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Lori. Accountability is a great way to summarise this post! Appreciate your insight!
You make an excellent point about honesty and humility in our requests for prayer—for prayer that goes deeper than the superficial. But just because of this openness, I can understand Rachel’s reluctance. I have transparently shared the kinds of things you mention with certain people only to have them used against me later, and in twisted form. If this happens with people you think you know and feel safe with, it can certainly make it hard to entrust such “secrets” to people you know even less well. A close and trustworthy prayer partner friend is indeed a beautiful blessing! This makes me aware of my need to BE one!
Sylvia, I am so sorry about your hurtful experience. And of course you are right. We do need to be wise and cautious about who we open up to. May the Lord grant us all much discernment and guidance as we seek those with whom to share our lives… Amen!
This is a great post!
I have three very special ladies in my life right now who regularly pray for me (and vice versa!). It has been the biggest blessing in my life over the past number of months. I know they would say the same thing.
We have seen repeatedly how faithful our God is to answer prayer. Thanks for sharing this
Hey Rachael! I really appreciate you sharing your experience of having prayer partners and how the Lord uses it in the lives of His saints! God bless you… you are an example to us all…
what a neat idea! I’m so glad you shared it with me today on my FB page!! <3
Thanks Paula! Blessings and know that you are always so welcome here…
Prayer definitely changes things. Thank you for sharing your good ideas.
Blessings,
Charlotte
Thanks for stopping by, Charlotte! God bless you my dear sister…
This is such an encouraging post! I’m so glad you linked it up to Playdates with God this week. Looking for my prayer warriors now. Such good words.
Thanks Laura! Prayer warriors are indeed a great blessing and encouragement in life! Blessings to you…
Hi,
I am following you on Scripture and a Snapshot. Great advice on prayer partners. I am in 3 groups who pray for each other. It is a wonderful experience. I also run a group blog called Under the Cover of Prayer. http://underthecoverofprayer.wordpress.com
Blessings to you this day,
Janis
Thank you for sharing, Janis! How wonderful that you are already privileged enough to enjoy and blessed by this group of prayer. May God continue to enrich and use you all in each other’s lives! Blessings to you…
What a great idea that was beautifully written. I would love for you to come share these on my weekly link up that just went live for the week. http://countrifiedhicks.blogspot.com/2013/02/mondays-with-countrified-hicks-4.html
Thanks so much for your encouragement! God bless you…
Such a great reminder to plug into prayer with others.Thanks for linking up at Family Fun Friday! http://happyandblessedhome.com
Sincerely,
Monica
It is great idea.
Have a great day.
Nan
http://www.blogshe.net
Thanks, Nan! God bless you…
Hi Tehila,
Wonderfully encouraging post! I am passionate about prayer. I will be sharing your post.
Thanks for linking up at Scattering the Stones.
Thanks so much, Anita! I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say that they are “passionate about prayer” and it really blessed my heart that you shared that! God bless you my sister…
Beautiful. I wish I was at a point to humble myself, but I struggle with it because of my past. Thank you for reminding me of my need.
We don’t have to bare all to everyone. We can open up to those who have earned our trust, and who we know will keep what we tell them to themselves, and lift our needs before the Lord. May God continue to bless and heal you for your wounds, dear April.
I also love this idea! My struggle will be finding 7 prayer warriors. I wonder if I would be good at being one. (thanks for making me think on that one) I have to say though, my favorite part of this post was the title, Warning: Don’t Read if Your Life is Perfect! In a world of facebook and twitter status updates that make you feel like you must be doing something wrong because you have not “arrived” even your title was refreshing. I am SO far from perfect, I felt right at home here.
Thanks for this post and for linking up with me at What He’s Done Wednesday!
Thanks so much, Sarah. The titles of my post sometimes take me as long as writing the writing of it to think of!
Glad you felt at home. I’ve given up pretenses of a perfect life a long time ago, and only dwell with those who can be real! God bless you my dear sister!
These are some really great ideas, and I love how you are telling people to be specific, because it does help others to know how to pray for them.
I also laughed out loud when you put the “pray for my husband to change” one out there, because I’ve heard that one before too, lol! Yes, some husbands need to change, but oftentimes He changes the wife instead while He continues to work in the husband’s life as well!
This is a great exercise in prayer! Mountains have been moved by a prayer!
http://www.yourstylistkaren.com
-Karen
This is great…wonderful…uplifting!
On top of that, I love the way you wrote it out kind of like an advertisement. Now, to humble myself… Ha! 
Blessings to you and thanks for linking up!
Mrs. Sarah Coller
Isn’t it odd that the greatest weapon we have to fight the enemy is so simple? But, as you said, it is mighty and takes courage to be honest. Blessings upon you and this idea for those who read it!
Visiting from The Grand Social. The power of prayer is a wonderful thing. This is a great idea.
That was a wonderful point to bring up! Thanks for the post.
Terrific post. I always learn something interesting on different blogs every day of the week. Thanks for sharing!
I truly believe in the power of prayer! The good Lord hears and answers our prayers. What a blessing to have in our lives. Thanks for sharing with Share Your Cup.
hugs,
Jann