Prayer Triplets, Pairs or Squares…
Have you ever been part of a prayer triplet? These few verses give a great description of what meeting regularly with two, three or four friends to pray is all about:
Matthew 18:20: "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
Galatians 6:2: "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
1 Thessalonians 5:11: "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Romans 12:12: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
We’d love to encourage everyone who is part of our church family to form up a ‘prayer triplet’ (or ‘prayer pair’, or ‘prayer square’) and our prayer is that these will be a rich source of blessing and encouragement and growth in all kinds of ways. With that in mind, here are some tips that might give you some ideas about how to get a prayer triplet going and how to make the most of it…
Who to ask?
Ask some Christian friends of the same sex, at a similar stage of life and Christian maturity. These factors help honest sharing, challenge and encouragement. Think carefully about people who you feel you will (or over time will) be able to be honest with. It’s a good idea to ask people who you are able to meet relatively easily - others in your Homegroup group might be a good start!?
If you’d like to be part of triplet, but want some help - the Men’s and Women’s Ministry Teams have put together a simple form you can fill in and they can help put you in touch with others. Click on the links below:
What’s the format?
There are no strict rules. Two essential ingredients are time to share news and time to pray for each other about that news. Confidentiality within the group is crucial, without that it’s impossible for people to be really honest.
Having someone note prayer points down and send them around is useful. It means you can pray for each other between catch-ups; it means you see (wonderfully!) answers to prayer; and it helps you ask each other about issues you’ve previously prayed about. As you get to know each other better over time, you’ll better know how to encourage and challenge each other when needed. It’s also great to try to sometimes include some ‘fun time’ (e.g. walk, sport, lunch) before getting down to ‘business’. You don’t have to do it every time, but spending time getting to know each other well, will help build meaningful relationships.
How often should you meet?
Again there are no set rules. Perhaps meeting more frequently as you start out (e.g. fortnightly?) means that you’ll be able to build the level of relationship that will help with honest sharing of prayer needs and help you to pray well for each other. But some triplets choose to meet monthly, or twice termly instead.
So…why not pray for wisdom about who to ask and then go for it?
Online Bookstall
Check out our bookstall to find resources to use together in your triplets, pairs or sqaures…
