When I stepped into full-time ministry in January 2024, I adopted a powerful, streamlined strategy: the P7 prayer team. P7 simply means finding seven people who commit to praying for you, your family, and your work seven days a week—one person assigned to each day.
This has proven to be the most strategic and life-giving step I’ve taken personally. I know that there is a committed friend praying for me every single day. As I meet a young man I’m discipling, share the gospel on a podcast, or reach Iceland’s college students—many wrestling with depression and little exposure to the gospel—there is always someone interceding. It is difficult to describe what a game changer this has been for me.
If you’re a Christian leader, pastor, missionary, or ministry director, I strongly encourage you to build your own P7 team.
Here’s why it matters and how to make it happen.
Prayer is the true front line of Kingdom advancement. Leaders often face spiritual battles, isolation, and fatigue alone. A P7 team changes that: consistent, targeted intercession provides covering, breakthroughs, and encouragement. As the saying goes, “Win first in prayer what others work out on the ground.” With seven faithful intercessors, you’re surrounded by prayer every single day of the week—without overwhelming any one person.
The structure is beautifully simple:
- Choose Carefully: Select seven individuals with a proven track record of faithful, effective prayer. Prioritize reliability and heart alignment over availability alone.
- Define the Commitment: Invite each to pray specifically for you and your ministry on one assigned day per week. The commitment is for one year, renewable annually. Be clear and direct. Echo Jesus in Mark 10:51 by asking and giving space for their honest response.
- Stay Connected: Send a weekly email with prayer requests, praise reports, and ministry updates. This keeps the team engaged, informed, and invested as your go-to intercessors. You can also opt to use a WhatsApp group or something similar. Keep the communication short and consistent.
- Nurture the relationships: Your P7 team is the backbone of your ministry. Make it a priority to keep them informed and find ways to express your appreciation. Ideas: Mail handwritten cards, send them small gifts, call them up, etc.
Avoid any hint of codependency: this is simply an invitation to partner in God’s work from their own homes. Let people feel the weight of who you are and the call God has placed on your life—then let them respond as the Holy Spirit leads.
You get what you ask for, so ask decisively. Receiving a no is valuable information; you know this person is not the right one for this season. Receiving a yes is obviously valuable information! If God has called you, don’t make excuses: make the ask.
Remember: If God has called you to a town, city, or nation, you can safely assume that there are others out there who have that same place on their heart. Your job is to activate them for kingdom purposes. They may not be called to go there, but they will be encouraged to help you.
Christian leaders, picture the impact: daily prayer fueling your vision, protecting your steps, and multiplying fruitfulness. Like Aaron and Hur holding up Moses’ arms (Exodus 17), your P7 helps you prevail when the battle feels long. This isn’t about burdening others; it’s about mobilizing a frontline team for eternal victories.
Ready to start? Reach out to potential members with a straightforward invitation like this:
“I’ve decided to build a dedicated P7 prayer team as I enter full-time ministry, seven people praying seven days a week. Would you be one of the seven for 2026? You’d commit to praying for me one day a week for about 10-15 minutes (or however God leads you). I’ll send weekly updates with requests and praises. What do you think? Are you willing?”
Don’t hold back—step fully into your calling. Build your P7 today and watch God move!