A prayer chain is not really necessary.
James 5:16-18 (KJV)
16 .......... The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
If you pray with compassion and faith, your prayers shall be answered. Jesus never requested prayer from a "prayer chain". Are we followers of Jesus? What does a follower do except do what the person they are following does. Yes, where two or three are gathered together works very well. But when we pray we should be in agreement with Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Father.
In the name of Jesus, I bless you with the life of God.