When someone says they need a prayer warrior, what exactly does that mean? What separates a prayer warrior from somebody who just prays?
This is a good question, and refreshing in that it isn't just another post about (fill in the blank).
What I can tell you is how my church, CoG, Anderson, In. believes/acts concerning this question.
1) Somebody who just prays.
Normally, somebody who just prays (as in their daily prayers) are praying about personal issues, and or for family/loved ones/friends, and they do this on a daily basis. This is very important and not to be discounted as less than the concept of a prayer warrior. In truth, all who sincerely pray to God are soldiers of the Cross, and warriors in their own right.
2) Prayer Warriors (my church designates as Prayer Chain)
In our church congregations, there are elders (men and women) who are on a Contact List, and each person on that list has a copy of the list. When an event occurs (whatever it may be) that someone is so concerned about as to request the prayer warriors be contacted to pray, all the members on the list will be contacted, told of the specific event that has occurred, and all will be in sincere and fervent prayer for God to intervene, or to resolve the issue being prayed for. As well, when the congregation next meets, the person who triggered the "call to prayer" may well go up before the congregation and be anointed and the elders will gather and lay on hands and pray in unity for the need designated.
It could be a prayer for healing, for salvation, for intervention in some situation, whatever...........This also is very important in the lives of the congregation, for it is a united petition being present to God for His will to be done, and for His grace and mercy to be bestowed upon the person/reason being brought to His Throne.
So, the difference is that Prayer Warriors/the Prayer Chain is praying for one specific reason/person/event rather than someone who just prays their normal daily prayers that may cover numerous subjects.
Hope this helps. God bless............and never discount the power of prayer!