If you've ever injured a finger, you know the hand is handicapped without use of all five. Let's say the thumb represents prayer . Flex your thumb. The human thumb is essential to manual dexterity, distinguishing us from other species. Two people trying to pray apart from other shared spiritual activity are as awkward as a hand that's all thumbs.
Prayer requires context.
That's the role of worship. When mentor and merea worship together, they gain a right perspective. My goal is not that you become more like me, but more like Christ. We're all disciples and Christ our Master. The middle finger on the hand of mentoring friendship is Bible study.