Let’s Do a Prayer Exchange

“Two years, Sandy,” Lynette says, cringing with pain. “I poured my whole heart into this. Does God even hear my prayers? Can you honestly say you’ve seen a change?” She rubs her swollen leg. “Have you?”

“I don’t know, Lynette. Maybe, subtly. You know my struggle—this inability to forgive George. How long has it been? At least five years?”

“We can’t keep doing the same thing,” Lynette says. A lone tear escapes and she wipes it with the back of her hand. “We need a break. Let’s exchange prayers. I pray for you to forgive George, and you pray for God to heal my leg.”

Lynette’s suggestion fit perfectly with the breakthrough prayer prescription from James 5:16: “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

A Shift in Perspective

Sometimes, discouragement or exhaustion can block the power and effectiveness of prayer. In time, our consistency wanes, and we forget to seek His face. Prayers can turn from a righteous desire for His will to angry, sad, and discouraged pleas. We make a laundry list of what God should do according to our vain imaginations.

I find that when we pray for someone else, our perspective shifts from self to others. The simple knowledge that someone else is lifting our burdens releases unexpected benefits. A resurgence of hope develops not only for ourselves but also for our friend. Great expectancy flows as we wait on God’s movement. We no longer cling to our own solutions when we surrender to Christ’s will. Zeal ignites when we seek God’s input on how to pray. God gives “a message of knowledge” or “a message of wisdom” when we ask for help (1 Cor. 12:8).

During a prayer exchange, vulnerability increases, and a stronger friendship naturally occurs. As we each report what we learn in prayer, the other is rejuvenated. Christ’s love flows and makes a way for forgiveness of self and others. God is faithful to reveal memories of circumstances that need to be forgiven in order to release healing.

As hope and expectancy flourish, praise returns. Expectancy differs from expecting. When we expect, we assume our outcomes. When we wait in expectancy, we rest in faith as we watch the Lord’s great plan unfold. This shift in perspective can change our lives.

Implementing the Exchange

When approaching a friend to participate in a prayer exchange, first consider how much time you will commit to praying for each other’s burden. A ten-day exchange is a good way to begin. For extra power, add a fast. Agreeing together to fast in a certain way builds accountability into the exchange.

I have found ten days is long enough to soak the issue in prayer but short enough to maintain fervency. If you sense the need for more prayer, consider a prayer exchange with another friend.

The beauty of a prayer exchange is that you can lay down what you have once held so tight—and in turn bless someone else with your faithfulness and determination in prayer.

–HEATHER ROBERTS, a mother of four, serves with children’s and prayer ministries. She blogs at tostrengthenamothersheart.wordpress.com.