Develop a Discipleship System
Prayer Partner Project Returns in 2025
By Motoe Yamada Foor
Not Just a Project—It’s a Practice
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)
We often talk about discipleship in terms of worship, study, or service. But what if one of the most transformative steps we can take is simply… prayer?
The Prayer Partner Project is more than an event - it’s a spiritual practice that helps individuals and churches deepen their faith through intentional prayer partnerships. Rooted in trust, accountability, and love, this project strengthens the foundation of Christian discipleship.
This fall, consider how your church might engage in this simple yet powerful practice, from small groups to intergenerational ministry. Individuals are also invited to sign up independently and will be supported every step of the way. Prayer is more than a discipline; it’s a way of walking together with Christ.
Now in its third year, the Prayer Partner Project invites people of all ages to journey together in prayer. Last year, 1,062 people participated; this year, we’re hoping to reach 1,500! Help us build a praying movement across miles and generations.
If you participated in previous years, you do not need to sign up again. You are automatically registered unless you choose to unsubscribe. Participants from prior years may decide to continue with their existing prayer partner or find a new one.
Your next steps
Pick your prayer partner!
- Register online to receive the prayer toolkit for you and your prayer partner.
- Decide how often you and your partner will pray for each other.
- Decide how often you and your partner will communicate. (Will you get together in person or by phone, email, or text?)
- Join our Facebook group to receive resources and share your stories.
- Sign up to receive daily devotions, such as The Upper Room Daily Devotion, Sight Psalms, or New Every Morning. (See below to sign up.)
- Encourage others to join the Prayer Partner Project.
Activities prayer partners can do together
- Share prayer requests with your prayer partner.
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer at the same time every day. (Set your alarm for a specific time; when it goes off, pray the Lord’s Prayer, then pray for each other.)
- Decide how often to pray for each other, perhaps once a day after waking or before bed.
- Read one of the daily devotions (see below) and share your thoughts (or one word) by texting, calling, or emailing.
- Get together before or after weekly worship to share prayers at a coffee shop or on a walk together.
Timeline
Now until Early September – sign up online.
On September 15, we will start the Prayer Partner Project together. (You will receive an email.) If you are doing this as a local church or a group (United Women in Faith, Bible study, and so forth), this may be an excellent time to gather people so prayer partners can meet and decide how often they will communicate. After the project concludes, you can have a special worship service to celebrate with testimonies.
The Prayer Partner Project concludes on November 15.
What you may gain through the Prayer Partner Project
- Trust in Jesus!
- Learning different ways to pray.
- Growth as a disciple of Jesus.
- Greater awareness of the power of prayer.
- Praying more often.
- The opportunity to invite someone to pray for you.
Testimonies from participants
- “I cannot tell you in enough words just how much this project has meant to me. Me and my Prayer partner are like sisters and I feel like this has drawn us closer, not just in prayer but in our Christian relationship as well. I look forward to seeing more programs like this in the future.”
- “I was immensely blessed by his prayers for me and my family. This reciprocal exchange of care and spiritual support epitomized the true essence of Christian fellowship. This project has not only fortified my personal faith but has also broadened my understanding of the global Christian community. I am eager to continue this path of prayer and look forward to participating in future projects of similar nature.”
If you wish to read The Upper Room Daily Devotion, click here to get a copy from your church.
The Upper Room Sight Psalms is a daily, online photo inspiration intended to help people reflect on God’s presence in the world and their lives. Each day, a new photograph is posted to evoke reflection and inspiration within themes connected to the Christian year, and a few words usually accompany it. Click here for more information.
Click here to sign up.
The Upper Room: New Every Morning offers daily reflections from Upper Room Books. Click here to sign up.
Everyday Sanctuary (app) is a satisfying spiritual practice that can be done in five minutes or less, wherever you are.
Bible verses marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Rev. Motoe Yamada Foor, Executive Director of Stakeholder Relationships, served in local churches for twenty years. She has a wealth of experience at a variety of organizational levels of The United Methodist Church as well as in ecumenical organizations such as the World Council of Churches (WCC). She also enjoys serving as a coach to help people and churches grow.
Contact Us for Help
Contact Discipleship Ministries staff for additional guidance.