What is a Prayer Triplet?

A prayer triplet is as it sounds: a group of three people who meet on a regular basis to pray. (It’s also possible to meet with four people; e.g. a group of four friends, or perhaps two couples.)

The inspiration behind prayer triplets derived from words of Jesus:

“Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18.20)

In addition to Jesus’ promise, there are good practical reasons for praying in threes. Whereas for most of us intercessory prayer can seem like hard work, and praying in twos can feel a bit exposed, experience suggests that praying together with two others in a safe, caring and confidential environment provides encouragement, fellowship and mutual support.

How often should we meet?

There are no hard-and-fast rules about this. Experience suggests that some prayer triplets will be able to meet every week, some once a fortnight, and others once a month.  The key thing is that, whatever pattern you agree together, the triplet members commit to meeting regularly and to seeing their prayer time together as a priority.

What might we pray for?

Prayer triplets can pray for anything – there’s no definitive list of acceptable or recommended topics. Nor is there a set ‘formula’ for your time together; rather, you will probably find the pattern of your prayer together adapting to new needs and circumstances.

• Sick: Mary Alexander, Debbie, Alan Digby, Diane Fester, Len Holman, Maud Lickfold, Toni Millard, Duncan Parkes, George Warren and Leo Wilkinson.
• In Memoriam: Stuart Cain and Ian McFarlane.

Rise heart; thy Lord is risen. Sing his praise Without delays,
Who takes thee by the hand, that thou likewise With him may’st rise:
That, as his death calcined thee to dust, His life may make thee gold, and much more, just.

–From ‘Easter’, by George Herbert

• Sick: Mary Alexander, Debbie, Alan Digby,
  Diane Fester, Len Holman, Maud Lickfold, Toni
  Millard, Duncan Parkes and Leo Wilkinson.
• In Memoriam: Betha Ayliffe and Mary Impett.

In the Diocese and the Anglican Communion:

• Sun: Chaplains in schools and universities in our diocese; If ye be risen Christ, seek the things which
  are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of
  God (Colossians 3.1).
• Mon: St James, Abinger and Christ Church,
  Coldharbour: Anthony Berry (Rector);
  Caledonia (Canada) Bishop William Anderson.
• Tue: St John the Evangelist, Wotton and St Mary the Virgin, Holmbury St Mary: Pam Robson (Priest in Charge); Calgary (Canada) Bishops Derek Hoskin and Gary Woolsey.
• Wed: St John the Baptist, Capel: Andrew Coe (Team Rector) and John Baxter (Team Vicar); California (USA) Bishop Mark Andrus; the Anglican Health Network and its mission to renew the Church’s gospel calling to go out and heal the sick, for its practical initiatives serving health and well-being among poor and vulnerable communities.
• Thu: St Mary Magdalene, Holmwood: Andrew Coe (Team Rector) and Barbara Steadman-Allen (Team Vicar); Cameroon (West Africa) Bishop Thomas-Babyngton Elango Dibo.
• Fri: St Peter, Newdigate: Andrew Coe (Team Rector); Canberra & Goulburn (Australia) Bishops Trevor Edwards, Allan Ewing, Thomas Frame and Stuart Robinson.
• Sat: St Martin, Dorking, St Mary the Virgin, Pixham and St Barnabas, Ranmore: Richard Cattley (Rector); Cape Coast (West Africa) Bishop Daniel Allotey.