Where did the term “prayer chain” originate and what is its meaning?

If you look up Prayer Chain on the Internet, you will find it was a 1990s Christian alternative rock band. Really? Yes, really.

MORE FAMILIAR TO MANY

church-goers, “prayer chain” describes an organized method within Christian churches, Protestant and Catholic, the premise (not ‘promise’) being that the more people there are to pray for someone or something, the better are the chances for a positive answer from God.

I personally believe focused prayer is a good thing and hundreds, even thousands praying together can be amazing; but does it mean that God is obligated to answer the prayers offered by thousands more often than those of one or two or three? Maybe not.

“Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

UNFORTUNATELY, NOT HANDLED

with confidentiality or care, “prayer chains” may become nothing more than gossip chains or pseudo-spiritual structures by which one’s inclusion or exclusion defines their devotion.

Since the Internet, there have been prayer chain messages like, “If you really love God, stop whatever you are doing and send this prayer message to ten people!” These usually stem not from matters of crises, but border on wishful thinking or magic. If you do this, what? God will give you the answer you are asking for? And if you do not, well, you should just feel guilty for the rest of the day because you didn’t step up. You failed miserably to be spiritual.

THIS IS WHAT I DO KNOW,

that over the years, people who have stood with me as prayer partners have gotten me through some tough challenges. My mother was one. My wife was another. Their devotion to God and love for me was an amazing gift. And at times the churches in which I served as a pastor needed God’s comfort, nudging, stirring and direction. The answer was often experienced through the faithfulness of those who linked together in prayer.

So, Where did the term “prayer chain” originate? I am not sure, but maybe it started here:

I HAVE MADE ONE JOURNEY

in my life to visit Saint Katerina’s Monastery, located deep in the Sinai wilderness at the traditional side of Mount Sinai. The journey is a difficult one, its location as desolate as a moonscape. Some of the Church’s most valuable ancient documents remain at this monastery. And from this place comes a strange, but challenging story.

For 12 hundred years, the monks at St. Katerina’s have preserved the remains of three of their brothers in accordance with their last requests. One was a doorkeeper who asked to hold his job forever. His mummy has since been sitting beside the door he guarded in life. The other two monks took a vow while they were young to devote their lives to the perpetual adoration of Christ, one praying while the other was asleep, and vice versa.

Thereafter, they never saw or spoke to each other again although they occupied adjoining cells. They’re only connection was a chain. The chain ran through the wall and was fastened to their wrists. It would act as a signal when each was ready to begin or end his prayers. They died together and today their skeletons lay side-by-side in caskets, still united by the same chain.

Could the term “prayer chain” have originated with these two men? Perhaps. I’m not sure.

and what is its meaning?

It’s true meaning will be found only in what you and I make it mean as we are joined together with others in prayer.

Blessings—as you agree with someone else in prayer.