Power of the Prayer Partner's Role

If you look at a picture on the Mentoring Ministry page, at first glance you would see two women or two men connecting with each other.  A second look would reveal another woman or man in the background of this picture.  That person is the Prayer Partner.  Although the Prayer Partner is not as visible as the Mentor and Mentoree, their role is a fundamental part of our Westminster Mentoring Ministry.  The prayers of a Prayer Partner are the powerhouse for the mentoring triad.

Prayer Partners connect with the life and power of God through their role in the mentoring triad.  It is a role that carries great impact.  There are four words that describe the role that a Prayer Partner has in the mentoring ministry.

Intimate:  The Prayer Partner prays for requests which the mentor receives from the Mentoree.  Mentorees can choose to share requests on whatever level is comfortable for them.  Prayer Partners may also pray for requests from the Mentor, as well as for the growth of the mentoring relationship.  With the many ways we engage with each other - email, text, phone -  the Prayer Partner can pray for their triad in real time, no matter where they are.  No other person prays for this triad with such a level of knowledge and intimacy. 

Supportive:  Prayer Partners support the Mentor, the Mentoree, and the relationship between them through their prayers.  For some Mentorees, this may be the first time they have experienced the support that ongoing prayer provides in their lives.  Prayer Partners can provide support to Mentors and Mentorees who are accustomed to supporting others, and offer care and strength to them through their prayers.

Committed:  The Prayer Partner agrees to pray for the Mentor and Mentoree for an agreed time.  The Mentor and Mentoree can count on this man or woman to faithfully pray for the mentoring triad for the months that they are together.  A Prayer Partner who is committed to the mentoring relationship gives confidence to the Mentor and Mentoree in their own commitment.

Growth-oriented: The Westminster Mentoring Ministry focuses on spiritual and personal growth.  The Prayer Partner prays for specific areas of growth, based on their knowledge of the Mentoree, and for growth for all the members of the triad, as prompted by the Holy Spirit.  Prayer Partners often report that they see growth in their own lives as they participate in praying for the growth of their Mentor and Mentoree.

A wonderful blessing that often results from serving as a Prayer Partner is the development of lasting friendships.  Prayer Partners are encouraged to meet several times with their Mentor and Mentoree, and to deepen their relationship with each other.  These prayer-centered friendships, which grow out of the mentoring relationship, can be rich and last long beyond the official time spent together. 

If you are interested in becoming a Prayer Partner, email Michele Peterson at mentoring@westminster.org.