I remember being in the sixth grade. Wow! What a rocky year that was for me personally! Adjusting to middle school was hard, and most days, I wanted no part of it. However, I did have two friends. Our teacher called us the three musketeers. Each of us was struggling in our own way. All of our fathers were pastors, all different denominations, but we found comradery in the angst we felt over middle school. I don’t know where those girls are today. I don’t know if they’re prayer people now or not. Our friendship didn’t really last through high school, but for that one terrible year in sixth grade, we had each other.
Since that time, God has given me amazing friends in my adult life. I am surrounded by sisters who will pray: Jill, Judy, Gayle, Keri, Linda, and many others. I know I can count on these sisters to pray with me and for me.
Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). The wisdom of Solomon tells us what most of us already know: we are not meant to do life alone. When you are alone, life can easily overpower you. When you have one close friendship, that person can help protect you when you are struggling, and you can encourage them when they need it. But when three people link arms, especially in prayer, each one is stronger than they would be alone.
A few safe sisters or brothers in the journey of life contributes to our health, our happiness, and our spiritual growth. If you can find a few really good prayer people who will journey through life with you, then you will be incredibly blessed. Together, you will not be easily broken.
When the armies of Israel were fighting the Amalekites, Moses stood on the hill overlooking the battle. He held his staff, symbolic of God’s power, in his outstretched arms over the scene of the fighting below. As long as Moses held up his arms extending the staff, his friends won. However, if his arms became tired and he relaxed them, the battle would turn. Finally, Moses sat on a rock and his two BFFs, Joshua and Aaron, stood on either side of him holding up his arms (Exodus 17:8-16). I love this story because it reminds me of the power of praying friends.
I am convinced that prayer is one of the foundational rocks of our friendships. You need to find your prayer people. And you need to be a prayer person for others. How do you find those people? It will take intentionality on your part, but you can do it.
Offer to pray with and for your friends. Begin small, but listen for the concerns of your friend’s heart and then offer to pray. Later, check back and ask about the situation. Become known as one who can be trusted to pray. As your friends know you are willing and faithful to pray for them, they will often return the favor.
Listen in conversation for friends who mention prayer naturally. If prayer is a deep value in their life, it will naturally come up in conversation. My friends Jill and Judy often talk about their prayer lives. Not in a showy way, but as a natural overflow of their relationship with Christ.
Look for trustworthy confidentiality. In order to enjoy the deep riches of prayer friendship, both parties have to commit to confidentiality. In order to authentically share the concerns of your heart, you need to know that your concerns will be safely carried before the Lord, not broadcast to others. You should give this gift to anyone who shares a concern with you, and look for it in others.
As you think about your life, may I ask you a question? Who are your safe prayer people? Why not take a few moments this week and write them a note to thank them? Let them know they are a treasure. And, if you don’t have prayer people, begin by asking God to show you those who take prayer seriously, those who accept the offer to be prayed for, and those who are confidential.
Purchase Becky’s latest book Cultivating Deeper Connections in A Lonely World here.
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