“Pray for one another, that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)
Recently, as we were about to end a session, a spiritual directee said, “I’ve been wishing I had a prayer group, or at least someone I could talk with about things like this, besides you. You don’t need to be the only person I turn to.” I told her that I’m not currently in a prayer group as such, and don’t know of one that I think would be right for her, though I did suggest she visit my Cursillo reunion group, meeting now by Zoom. Such groups do pray together and share prayer requests, and the friendships often develop into prayer partnerships.
When I said, “Sounds like you’re talking about a prayer partner,” she enthusiastically agreed. Later that day, someone came to mind—in fact, another spiritual directee. The two women are about the same age, and both come from large Catholic families but don’t have close Christian friends their own age, Catholic or otherwise, at least not ones they’d call prayer partners. Both are honest, good-hearted, and eager for growth as Christians. I felt a strong sense of rightness about connecting them with each other and entrusting the rest to the Holy Spirit. My other directee was happy with the idea, so I gave them each other’s number and introduced them to their “blind date.”
At the time of this writing, they have met only once, by phone, but I’ve heard from both that they had a long, wonderful conversation. The woman who had agreed to the contact said in a text to me afterward, “I really like [her]. We talked for a long time! She might be my new best friend!!”
Best friends—that’s what prayer partners are: friends who know and care about your concerns and needs and are faithful to pray with you, and for you. I have so many wonderful memories involving my prayer partners over the years and how we have helped each other though crises, walked the long, hard roads together, and rejoiced with each other’s joys. Two of my most intimate prayer partners have passed on, but I have others today, as well as my husband, a daily prayer partner for whom I’m overwhelmingly grateful.
Do you have a prayer partner or partners? If so, you know how important such a relationship is. If not, can you think of someone who might welcome a prayer partnership with you? Could you reach out to that person, talk about the idea, and see what happens? Even if you aren’t comfortable with spontaneous prayer with another person or don’t want to divulge your most intimate desires and needs, you could begin by just asking your friend to pray later for something that’s going on in your life. Eventually, you may become comfortable enough to move to a more intimate sharing and prayer time together. Or perhaps you will remain at the level of simply asking for prayer at a later time. Surely God honors these solitary prayers, although we are told that when two or three gather in God’s name, God is present with them (Matthew 18:20)—in, I believe, a particularly intimate and comforting way.
Holy Scripture says, “Pray for one another, that you may be healed.” (James 5:16) Indeed, I have been healed in so many ways through sharing my struggles and praying with friends. In my opinion, and from long experience, a prayer partner is one of the greatest blessings life can offer. I hope you will give yourself this blessing too.
About the writer:
Carol Whatley, Ed.D., a retired communications director, credits her decision to become Catholic in 2004 largely to the influence of BTSR. She earned a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Spring Hill College in 2015, and she blogs at resurrectionclothes.blogspot.com.