Leaving a Legacy: Mentoring in Prayer

Last night, I was in a meeting and we were talking about prayer. I found myself reflecting on how we really learn to pray. As helpful as sermons on prayer are, so much of prayer is not learnt from teaching alone, but by being alongside those who truly know how to pray - those who draw near to God and have seen Him at work. I shared about my friend Roy, a contemporary of my parents. When I was in my twenties and he was in his sixties, each week I would cycle to his house, on my way to work, and we would spend an hour praying together. It was simple, consistent, and deeply formative. By being in his presence, I learnt how to pray.

After the meeting, I checked my phone and saw a message: Roy had passed away. Roy never wrote a book or gained any public recognition, his life was mostly hidden, but his impact was profound. My life is different because of those hours spent praying with him. I will always be grateful for our time together.

As a young Christian, I realised two things were essential for growth: to know and love God’s Word, and to learn how to pray - something that did not come naturally to me. So I sought out people who were experienced in prayer, who were older and wiser than me, and I asked if I could regularly meet with them to pray. That decision shaped my life and has made me who I am today. Three people in particular (Roy, Terry and Doug) have mentored me through our praying together regularly.

If you want to leave a lasting legacy, consider mentoring others in prayer. There’s no need for a big structure - just bring them into the prayer time you already have. And if you want to grow in prayer, find someone who knows God’s presence, who has walked with Him over the years, and simply ask to pray with them regularly. You won’t regret it!