Prayer Partner needed!

 Do you have a Prayer Partner?

Do you even need one?

I know there are different opinions on this matter. Some people say it is not necessary to have a Prayer Partner while others believe it is absolutely required.

Let's assume (and maybe agree) that we must all have Prayer Partners, the next question is:

"Who should be your Prayer Partner?"

The answer to this question also varies but one thing I trust we're all in agreement on is - you should not have someone of the opposite sex as your Prayer Partner except that person is your husband (or wife) - it's an absolute "no-no" otherwise and there is nothing to discuss there...period. As Mrs. Pastor, do you find that while "looking out" and possibly, praying for the right Prayer Partner, you sometimes feel alone...in life and in the place of prayer? I appreciate there are times when you have a burden that you may not want to share with your husband but I believe that he should be your next closest friend and confidant after Jesus.

Another idea is to pray with your child(ren) one-on-one. You can build a Prayer Partnership with each of them and that way you remain their confidant. While you may not be able to or want to share your personal issues with them, you can train them that prayer is the best way to unburden your issues. "By example" is the most effective way of training a child in the way (s)he should go - it sticks to them.

You could also have a particular friend or set of friends with whom you pray. Three of my really close friends, apart from my husband, live quite a ways from me but we connect in the place of prayer. We've know each other for years and have grown to rely on each other for encouragement and prayers. That is not to say that we do not share our burdens with our husbands or other brethren in church it's just that we share with each other things we'd rather not "broadcast". Oh yes! Believe it or not, even Mrs. Pastor has some of those - well I do.

Sometimes, it may even be better to have a Prayer Partner outside your local church if you are concerned that people will feel that you are creating a clique...but remember you have the right to your relationships and should be free to pick a Prayer Partner in your church. Just be careful that you do not become everyone's choice for a Prayer Partner and get burnt out.

So what do I think? There is a place for personal prayer and a place for joint/corporate prayer - that's one way I interpret Galatians 6: 2 & 5 (NKJV):-

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

For each one shall bear his own load.

Indeed it is valuable to have a Prayer Partner - start with your husband

(who in your case is most likely your Pastor).

Thinking about all we've said, we really don't need prayer partners,

we just need to pray with our personal Pastor.