How to raise up a personal prayer team

By: Ursula Kemp, For Columbus

No matter our circumstances, we need people to pray for us. 

You might be walking through a cancer diagnosis, undergoing treatment, or caring for a loved one who is. You might be emotionally and physically drained, uncertain about what’s ahead, or simply overwhelmed. Or maybe you're a friend who longs to support someone facing this journey and feel unsure how to help. Whatever your role—patient, caregiver, spouse, or friend—one thing is clear: we all need prayer, and sometimes we need a team of others lifting us up consistently and faithfully. 

But how do you find people to pray for you on a regular basis? How do you build a small circle of support that will carry your burdens with you to the Lord? 

Several years ago, I found myself asking the same questions. I had a desire to gather people to pray—originally around a ministry event—but something deeper happened. A few people showed up at first, then slowly a core group formed. We started meeting regularly, praying for one another, worshiping, and sharing life. Over time, this “little flock,” as we called ourselves, became more than just a prayer call. It became a community of mutual care and spiritual strength, my own personal “prayer team.” 

What began as a way to gather others around “my” need turned into a circle of faithful friends committed to lifting each other up. No one officially signed up. We just kept showing up to pray—week after week. The beauty is, we didn’t just pray for “ministry needs”—we prayed for health issues, families, decisions, moments of deep grief, and miracles. We became a team in every sense of the word. 

And you can build something similar. You don't need a title or a platform. You just need a desire to pray and a willingness to reach out. 

Here are some simple, practical steps to help you raise up your own prayer team—whether you're in the midst of cancer treatment or walking closely with someone who is:

Start Simple and Small 

Start by asking the Lord for favor in finding other believers to pray with you. You can even begin praying over a list of others in your family and friend circle who need prayer. See if God highlights anyone you can ask to join you. Once you have a few people willing to commit to pray, set a frequency and schedule it (weekly is ideal but biweekly or monthly can work as well). It can be helpful to have at least three people in the group in case someone has to miss a prayer time, but just two can still be a great starting point. 

Keep Showing Up 

Consistency builds trust and depth. Whether you’re meeting in person, over the phone, or by Zoom, set a time and protect it. Schedules may change so be willing to be flexible, but do your best to stay committed to a regular meeting rhythm and treat prayer gatherings like any other appointment you show up for consistently. 

Keep the Balance Between Sharing and Praying 

It’s natural to start the prayer time with sharing prayer requests, so let that flow naturally, but set a time limit on request-sharing and intentionally begin your prayer time in praise and adoration (see next). 

Begin with Worship 

Time spent in worship and meditating on God’s character is truly the “secret sauce” of any time of prayer. This perspective shift transforms and deepens your prayer time. Besides worship songs, you can choose scriptures on a theme for the prayer time that describe an aspect of God’s character or one of His many Names in scripture. This way you’re starting with who God is and magnifying Him first over and above your petitions.

Use Scripture to Fuel Your Prayers 

Scripture feeds and nourishes our souls. It also increases our faith as scripture carries authority, spiritual truth, and promises that we can stand on in hard times. One method is to assign a scripture to each participant according to a theme or aspect of God’s character. This can be a great way to help your prayer time flow smoothly. 

Be Spirit-Led 

In your prayer time make sure to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. This can look like a time to pause and intentionally listen in silence. It also looks like being mindful when you are praying to follow any prompting or burden the Lord lays on your heart. 

Track What God Has Done 

Keep a simple journal or note of requests and answered prayers. Looking back will remind you that God really does move, and it will build your faith in the hardest moments. 

Ultimately, committed prayer takes effort and sacrifice, but the incredible way it uplifts your soul is priceless. 

Whether you’re undergoing treatment, caring for a loved one, or just feeling the weight of it all—don’t carry it alone. Gather even one or two others and begin lifting one another up. Over time, you’ll find that your “personal prayer team” is not just praying for you—but walking with you through the valley and pointing you toward hope. 

As Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us: 

“…let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together... but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”