Praying with a brother or sister: a simple and powerful step
Praying alone is precious. Praying with someone else is a different experience. You hear the other person's faith, you discover their worries, you pray things you wouldn't have thought to ask. Yet it may be one of the rarest practices. This quest invites you to take the step.
What it looks like in your day
Two people and five minutes are all it takes. Here is how to go about it in practice:
- Choose the person. A believing friend, a spouse, a member of your group, someone from your church. They don't need to be an elder or someone very experienced.
- Simply suggest it. “Would you like us to pray together for five minutes?” Or at the end of a conversation: “Shall we pray quickly about that?”
- Share one or two topics. Each person says one thing they are carrying.
- Pray in turn. Each prays for the other, or for the shared topic. Short sentences are enough. No long speeches.
- End with a shared “Amen.”
You can do it by phone, by video call, walking together, or in a café. If you are shy, start by praying silently side by side, then add one sentence out loud. If you are short on time, three minutes are enough. If your partner isn't comfortable, offer to pray yourself, without pressuring them.
An example of a prayer for two: “Lord, thank you for Camille. She has an interview tomorrow, give her calm. Thank you for being with us. Amen.”
What the Bible says
Jesus makes a promise to those who pray together:
“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
The context speaks of agreement and presence. Even with two, Jesus is there. It is not a matter of numbers or talent, but of gathering in his name.
The book of Ecclesiastes describes the strength of sharing:
“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”
In the book of Acts, praying together is part of the life of the early church (Acts 1:14), and the letter of James invites us to pray for one another, because “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).
Pitfalls to avoid
Waiting until you are “ready”. Many people wait until they are comfortable enough to pray out loud. You don't get there before trying. The first few times are awkward, and that is normal.
Praying to impress. A prayer for two is not a demonstration. No fine phrases, big words or long sentences. Talk the way you are.
Using prayer to correct the other person. “Lord, help Paul understand that he has to change this…” is a way of lecturing him by going through God. Pray for him with respect.
Spreading confidences. What the other person shares stays between you and God. Don't repeat it elsewhere without their agreement.
Telling yourself you don't have time. Three minutes can be enough. A short prayer that is regular beats a long prayer that is rare.
This week, think of one person and offer them five minutes of prayer. Even if it is a little awkward, you will see that the result is worth the effort.