Growing Together.

 Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 GW

[9] Two people are better than one because ⌞together⌟ they have a good reward for their hard work. [10] If one falls, the other can help his friend get up. But how tragic it is for the one who is ⌞all⌟ alone when he falls. There is no one to help him get up.

I never knew the essence of having "prayoooos" as my friends. I never knew the importance of having prayer partners, not until sometime last year. I just knew that I was consistent with my prayers to God and that felt okay.

In my 100 level days, I had a roommate that introduced me to the ritual of "prayer walks". Oh, I loved it so much—walking and talking with God, it was an absolute pleasure. It was even during one of these walks that I got 'renamed' [story for another day]. I was so used to walking and having awesome moments with God[the whole trinity join]. 

In 200 level, we changed hostels and my roommate that used to wake me up back then wasn't with me anymore. I made up my mind to do it alone, since it was really about me, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, and me again. But I must confess.....it was a REAL struggle for me. There was nobody to wake me up for prayer walks, asides the Holy Spirit and my loud alarms. Even when the alarms went off, I was quick to snooze them[chai]. 

One blessed morning, I was out to pray at the school's Chapel and it was a fervent session of prayer[I think I was going through a lot, actually]....a girl in my campus fellowship saw me and never forgot me. My birthday came up and she summoned up the courage to "ask me out" as her prayer partner! Now, this felt do weird to me, because I've been so familiar with being a loner-prayer-warrior. I prayed about it and I accepted this offer. We've been prayer partners for a year now and it's been a whole journey of me trying to pray her away or even trying to ditch prayers so I could have a "me to God" session. I spoke to higher authorities about it and their responses were "you don't have a choice, God orchestrated this relationship and He loves it that way."

Friends, having a prayer partner(now, I even have partners in faith), but having this particular prayer partner has shown me that God sends people into our lives for certain purposes. Praying with someone has stretched me. Initially, I thought praying together was all about her but I was wrong! Kai, I've grown and I'm still growing. She has grown, shifted and expanded and she's still going through all of that process. We're both growing, helping each other to carry burdens. 

God honors partnership. Matthew 18:20 TPT

[20] For wherever two or three come together in honor of my name, I am right there with them!”

Sometime when Apostle Paul was facing some difficulties, he knew the essence of having people to pray for and with him. A whole APOSTLE Paul!!!! Romans 15:30 TPT

[30] That’s why I plead with you, because of our union with our Lord Jesus Christ, to be partners with me in your prayers to God. My dear brothers and sisters in the faith, with the love we share in the Holy Spirit, fight alongside me in prayer.

I'm grateful for the ones I call friends that communicate with God on my behalf and carry burdens for the Lord. Shout out to y'all. 

Friends that pray together, Grow together. 

Next time someone tells you "please, pray for me"–please, do.