i definitely think it's important to have an accountability partner especially if you're single. personally, i think that if you're married, there's no need for one but i can't say because i'm not married yet...lol.  anywhoo, it's important because we Can't do it alone without someone to encourage us, pray with/for us, and convict us when we're wrong. there was a time in my life when i thought being alone was better so that i wouldn't have to put my trust in anyone but God. but he wants us to fellowship with like believers because it also says in Acts 2:42-47,

 "All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[i]), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosityall the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved."

I didn't have an accountability partner actually until about a couple weeks ago. i used to pray to God before i went to college (I'll be a senior this Fall) that he would provide me with genuine friends especially females. and it just so happened that i started singing with a christian group and one of the girls who actually wasn't added to the group until last year became close with me. God will place accountability partners in your life that aren't afraid to be honest and tell you about yourself when you need it most. and it strengthens the both of you. God Bless :)

The answer will be different for men and women.  Men don't usually connect with another guy in a one on one relationship, unless they are already in trouble in some area of their life.

Yes, I think it is VERY important.  You will find that anyone involved in any type of ministry and serving must have someone they are accountable to.  Men to men and women to women.  There are many reasons for this but the primary reason is as soon as you step out and start 'doing' something for God, you will come under attack from satan and his dominions.  That attack will come in an area you are weak.  We all have one (at least one).

A regular prayer partner is also a wonderful thing to have because the longer the relationship, the deeper the relationship.  The prayers are personal and private.  Trust builds.  You are not praying for Uncle Fred, you are praying about your addiction or bad relationship, etc.

I have one through my church because one of the ministries I am involved in Evangelism Explosion, requires at least two prayer partners.  He was one of the two.  We pray together once a week.

Crew, you've asked an awesome question. Definately something to think about. First off, I'd like to say that I think a prayer partner and an accountablity partner are two seperate things although I would hope that an acountabliity partbner would pray for and with the individual that is trusting them with such an important role in their life.

I do believe that as Christians need one another. After all the bible tells us that we are many members but one body (See 1 Corinthians 12). I do believe we need one another. The bible also tells us that the strong are infirmities of the weak (Romans 15:1). It is our job to pray one for another. That goes without saying.

You can't share everything with everyone so although we all are supposed to pray for one another, I believe we should have (or pray for if we don't already have) one speacial seasoned believer we can trust to stand in the gap for us on sensitive issues that you would not want to mention during more of a corporate prayer situation.

As for accountability. We need to be accountable to someone. As Christians we are supposed to be humble and meek so if we can not submit to someone else, that shows a sense of pride. Not being accountable to anyone makes you unapprochable and gives you a false sence of being unreproachble. This is dangerous when you get in a position when you think no one can tell you about yourself. None of us have arrived yet.

Shanita

Author of By His Stripes We Are Healed

www.waterplantgrowth.com

oh yes... yes!! say, what if you fall down and nobody is there to pick you up? if you have another person either in partener or friendship or even a spiritaul walker, you will always have someone to fall down with, you would never have to deal with this alone.

It's very important and essential to have a prayer partner or accountability partner to build up one another.  I am quite blessed to have my girlfriends as accountability partners since we share openly and encourage one another in prayers and with care.  We've gone through lots of joy and tears in our walking our daily Christian walk.  I don't know what to do without them around me.

@Kim - I'm in agreement with you!Great post!

Boy do I ever believe it's important! Especially since I am now out of my college "bubble" where I was surrounded with prayer partners every single day (Christian university).  My husband should be my prayer partner, but we are having a hard time praying together right now. I still turn to my old roommates for prayer; they are my best friends and sisters in Christ. we pray for each other and hold each other to a lot of things...