How To Form Your Own Prayer Circle (& why you should)
I truly believe that there is power in prayer. And I believe that prayer is multiplied when Christians come together to pray.
The book of Matthew records Jesus saying, “If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (18:19-20)
I believe that. And while I know that we are all free to approach the throne of God, that He listens to all of His children, I also know that there is something special about praying together.
However, I also know that when praying for the same thing, it’s important to pray in unity.
When I was deep in the heart of my chronic migraines earlier this year, I had countless brothers and sisters in Christ praying for me. But they were all praying for my healing when what I really wanted, what I really needed, were prayers for strength to weather the storm.
I have never been big on praying for healing. I know God can do it. He’s God. But I also know that He can use anything for His glory. Like when Job was suffering. Job didn’t pray for healing. At least not that was recorded. He kept on praising God and said he would accept the good with the bad.
That’s the kind of woman I want to be.
Sometimes a lack of communication makes us our own worst enemy. That's why @_HeatherHart thinks we should all have our own prayer circle we communicate real prayer requests with regularly. Share on XI won’t say that it was easy, especially since I didn’t take the time to tell anyone else what was really on my heart. Looking back, I wish I would have formed a small prayer team who I communicated with regularly.
And not just for them to pray for me, but there is also something freeing in praying for other believers when you are feeling down. It takes your eyes off of yourself and puts them back on Jesus.
So, today, I wanted to look at three ways we can form our own prayer team.
3 Ways To Form Your Own Prayer Circle
1.) Group Texts or Social Media Groups
You can form small prayer circles via group texts or even on Facebook messenger, Instagram groups, etc. These prayer groups are great for short term mission trips or other specific times.
However, I also have a friend who has a running group text that she and her husband share with another couple. They use it for morning devotionals and daily prayer requests. I think it’s a fabulous idea.
If you take the time to form a digital prayer circle, I truly believe it could be a powerful asset to any believer.
2.) Enlist Your Small Group, Sunday School Class, or Bible Study
Up until recently, my prayer circle was my Bible study ladies. We prayed together every week and shared what was on our hearts.
My Sunday school class prays together weekly as well, but I was much closer and much more open with my Bible study ladies. We had a forged a bond that was deeper than just being in the same class, we were sisters in Christ and friends at heart. It was a lot easier to open up to them. And if something was private, I had time to pull one of them aside as we weren’t rushing to get started or get to the morning worship service.
3.) Form a Local Prayer Circle
My old church had a weekly prayer meeting where a few of the ladies would come together to pray. They would pray for each other, but they would also pray for the members of our church. They went through the member list and prayed for so many families each week. I always loved it when my family came up because they would call us and ask how they could pray for us that week. It always made me stop and think. And I always appreciated their prayers.
However, your local prayer circle could be much more flexible. Maybe you get together with two or three other women for coffee once a week and use that time for prayer.
Who do you pray with? The answer to that question is more important than you might think.. Share on XOther Options
There are also prayer groups like Mom’s in Prayer that have local chapters, and resources for praying at home.
I’m also part of a few Facebook groups that have either prayer threads or the entire group is dedicated to prayer. I’m not as fond of these because, with so many members, it’s harder to form connections, and they usually aren’t local. You aren’t going to run into these women at the grocery store or church and get the opportunity to check-in or check-up.
Back to Job…
One thing Job’s friends got right was that they came to be with him during his time of need. They weren’t very supportive. And they didn’t pray with him. But they were there.
I think there is something special about praying with other believers who are local. Believers who know what you are going through and are there to give you a hug when needed. Believers who you won’t be tempted to drift away from when there is a misunderstanding. Or someone responds to a prayer request with anything less than prayer and grace. Because that happens.
So What About You?
Who do you pray with? Do you have your own prayer circle? Do you think it’s important to pray with Christian women who live near you? Have you ever thought about it? Join the conversation in the comments below!
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My church is being attacked from many angles. I want to call a prayer circle but am scared to stand out. My friends are being attacked because I’m being given visions/insights, not sure what to call the.. I’ve never been in this position before, but I don’t want to stand out from the crowd. I want to stay incognito in the church.
It’s a very small church 50 or so people. Every sight I’ve had has been confirmed by others, by several others. I don’t want to be proud, I get a big head. I want to stay on my knees and serve. I’m afraid I think I’ll become the prideful thing that thinks they’re better than others.
As an introvert, I totally understand what you’re saying. But I would encourage you not to let your fear keep you from obeying God. Sometimes, obedience requires us to put ourselves out there.
That said, you can start a prayer circle without a big to-do. You don’t need to officially launch something in your church or even call a meeting. Starting a prayer circle can be as simple as sending a text to one or two people asking them to join you in prayer. Or if you are at church and someone asks if there’s any prayer requests, simply share what God has laid on your heart. One of the guys in my Sunday School class focuses on the rain. He either wants to pray for rain, or praise God for sending rain. That’s something God has impressed upon him and he asks us to join with him in prayer about each week.