This morning I met with a group of ladies to spend intentional time praying over our kids. A friend initiated the group this year because she wants to be more intentional about prayer in 2019.

It was such a powerful time where we each shared about our children and specific prayer requests we have for them. We each spent time praying over each other’s children. There were four of us with eleven children between us all. It was so encouraging to have our little ones covered in prayer by other moms.

As these gals were praying over my children, my eyes filled with tears. I find it so humbling when people pray to God on my behalf or on behalf of my loved ones. It reminds me of how important prayer is and how important it is for us to continually support one another through prayer. Sometimes we use prayer as a last resort to help someone, when in reality, it’s the most impactful thing we can do for someone.

About six months ago I attended the Speak Up Conference for writers and speakers. One of the sessions, by my now friend Kathe Wunnenberg, was about the importance of a forming a prayer team to support us in our ministry. I remember her saying something like, “Because you’re doing work for God, you have a target on your back. Why would you try to fight our enemy off all on your own? You need a prayer team!”

I believe this same principle applies to our families too. As we’re trying to raise our children in homes that love God and know His Word, we will face opposition and struggle. The devil and the ways of the world will try to undermine our efforts. We need a prayer team!

It doesn’t have to be formal or fancy. The format is really up to you. Here are two suggestions that you may find helpful:

• Pick a friend or a few and start a prayer chain via e-mail or a private Facebook group. Share specific prayer requests for your children and spouse on a regular basis. Then regularly pray for the requests you receive. Set a digital reminder if you need to.

• Start a group for in-person prayer: Praying out loud can intimidate a lot of people. But I have a solution that will help you get over it: regularly pray out loud with people! The more you do it, the more comfortable you’ll become. Invite a few friends over on a regular basis to pray for each other’s families. Keep each other updated in between meetings with praises and new requests.

If you don’t have a group of people you can invite or you’d rather join something already established, check out Moms in Prayer. You can find various groups local to your area or the specific school your children attend.

James 5:13-16 encourages us, “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

Our prayers are powerful and effective. In 2019, let’s commit to praying for our family, asking others to pray for our family, and lifting other families’ needs to the Lord. It will be awesome to look back at the end of the year to see how God has answered.