The Value of a Holy Prayer Group

 Lorraine Hess shares her experience of being part of a prayer group and the importance of choosing one wisely.  

Iron is sharpened by iron; one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

Years ago, I signed up for a random prayer group at my church, and although it was a great program, and there were many fruits of those gatherings, there were some things about it that were not a good fit for me. One woman in the group wanted to “fix” me every time I spoke. Another seemed to be more interested in social chatter than prayer time. However, most of them were a joy to pray with.

Once the program ended, I took some time to reflect on whether I wanted to join another group or not. I appreciated the value of faith sharing with others, so I decided I did want to give it another try, but I was very selective and slow to latch on to a new group until I was sure it was the right fit.

I don’t mean to sound judgmental or picky, but I knew what I didn’t want in a prayer group. I didn’t want a group so large that it would lose its intimacy; I wasn’t looking for a social club; and I didn’t want to engage in “holy gossip.” There is a fine line between praying for someone who is in a difficult situation and gossiping about them. Example: “Please pray for Belinda who has asked for prayers for her marriage” versus “Please pray for Belinda. Her husband just left her, and it’s gonna be a messy divorce.”

What I did want was vulnerable yet confidential faith sharing, something centered on Scripture, and a group I could lean on for prayerful support.

Finding the Right Group

The Holy Spirit finally led me to an invitation to pray with a beautiful group of women. I knew some of them well enough from other circles to know there would be sincere prayer and a collective desire to grow in faith. We also shared a love of our Blessed Mother and the Eucharist, so I accepted the invitation. For many years, it has been a safe zone where we pray for one another’s intentions confidentially, and text throughout the week when prayers are answered or additional prayers are needed. “My son’s final exam is starting in 10 minutes. Please offer up a little prayer!” Done. “My brother’s biopsy came back negative. Prayers of thanksgiving!” Done. “My flight is delayed. Please pray I can make my connecting flight.” Done.

I love my prayer sisters. We rejoice together; we mourn together. They are true prayer warriors in my life, and I do not know where I would be without them. They are the first people I go to for prayer support, and their prayers have moved mountains.

Our group is small … only about eight of us. Large enough to be impactful even if a few can’t attend. Small enough that there is time for everyone to contribute without taking up too much of the morning (and we all fit in one person’s living room!). In our time together, we sharpen one another’s spiritual swords, and it refuels us for our challenges as mothers, wives, and all our other roles in life.

What to Do with Your Prayer Group

There are many options for prayer groups. Some groups like to gather to pray the Rosary. Other groups choose a spiritual book to read like a book club, and they share their insights on the assigned chapter of the week. Topics can include books on motherhood, the Eucharist, the saints, teachings on our Blessed Mother, or a topic that goes with the theme of the Church year. Some even include a video series.

My group has fallen in love with Lectio Divina. After our prayer intentions and a decade of the Rosary, someone reads the Gospel for the upcoming Sunday, and we quietly meditate on it for several minutes while we allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us. Then a second person reads the Gospel, followed by another several minutes of contemplation. Afterward, whoever feels compelled to share does so. The different perspectives are enlightening, and we get more out of Mass the following Sunday. The key to a good prayer group is finding what works for you, and this has certainly worked for me.

When I pray with others, I realize that my problems are not as big as I thought. When I pray with other moms, I feel less alone in my struggles. I find myself praying more for others than myself during the week as their intentions stay on my heart. There is power in a praying mother, but there is greater power when women come together to pray sincerely for one another and our children. It prepares us for the spiritual battles of the week as our swords are sharpened for whatever comes our way.

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Copyright 2026 Lorraine Hess
Images: Canva