5 Creative Places to Find Prayer Accountability

Many of us want to start our day in prayer, but we get distracted by all the little things that need to be done first.

You know, like washing the dishes, throwing in a load of laundry, or sleeping in a few minutes. One thing leads to another, and before we know it, we’ve run out of time.

Can you relate?

It’s easy to feel alone in our spiritual journeys, but as the Body of Christ, we are called to encourage and support one another. Here are five places I’ve found accountability, and I hope you will too.

5 Creative Places to Find Prayer Accountability

1. Ask an Older Woman to Help You

The church is full of older women in the faith who long to help younger women (as Titus 2 explains) but are afraid to step on toes. They don’t want to offend us by saying, “Dear one, it looks like you have your hands full. I’ve been there myself, and I’d like to help. Why don’t you come over for coffee sometime?” But from my conversations with a handful of godly older women, they are eager to help if only younger women approached them first.

I did this last year, and though it was nerve-wracking, I’m so glad I got over my emotions and humbly asked for help. This godly woman has not only asked me how I’m doing, but she’s covered me and my family in prayer, she’s offered creative and helpful suggestions, and she’s cheered me on in the hardest times. I’m so grateful for her influence in my life.

2. Join a Praying Community

Though private prayer is important, it’s not the only way to pray. In fact, Scripture is filled with examples of corporate prayer, and we’re told the early church devoted themselves to praying together (Acts 2).

Chances are your church offers a prayer group that meets mid-week to pray for your congregation’s prayer requests. Ask the church staff and get connected with that group; their passion for prayer will likely rub off on you as well. Or if you can’t commit to a weekly meeting, join on online group like one of these ones that will help you both read the Bible more AND pray more. It’s a win-win.

3. Start a Prayer Chain

Grab a few trusted friends who are committed to prayer and text each other prayer requests throughout the day. Assign the earliest riser to start that day’s prayer chain, and pray as the texts come in. I’ve recently been invited to a similar group text, and it’s incredible to see how God responds specifically when we pray specifically. It’s also a great way to go deeper in your friendships as well.

4. Ask Your Spouse or Roommate to Hold You to It

No one knows you better than the people you live with—so enlist their help in your prayer habit. Give them permission to check up on you, and invite them to join in when they can. You can also turn your standard mealtime prayer into a mini popcorn-style prayer session, or pray together before bedtime. Be creative, and you’ll soon find yourself praying as you walk with God all day, not just during your daily devotions.

5. Join a Live Video Prayer Stream on Periscope

Wait … what? If that last option made you scratch your head, oh friend, you’re in for a treat. If you’re not yet familiar with it, Periscope is a live video streaming app, and women around the world are harnessing its power to call people to prayer.

I’ve been hosting morning prayer times since the start of the year, and it’s proven mutually beneficial: I feel responsible to get up and log in because people are waiting for me, and women join in because they know I’m waiting for them. And the result is everyone is blessed by starting their day in prayer together. If you haven’t yet joined in on the #prayerscope fun, feel free to join me weekday mornings on Periscope.

With the support of our community and the help of the Holy Spirit, we can experience a vivacious prayer life that leads to powerful transformations in our own lives as well as those around us.

And for that, the dishes and the laundry can wait.