Prayer Leader OnLine

April 2008

Vol. 5, No. 4 

As we approach Empowered, our national convention, we are excited by the opportunities CPLN can offer to our members to help fire up people for prayer. Please look for ways you can encouage some of your prayer team and people from your church who want to grow in prayer to come to Empowered, or one of our Fall regionals. Conferences can be powerful catalysts used of God to foster prayer in your people.

Besides Empowered 2008, we have the following regionals in the works for Fall 2008 and Spring 2009:

Aug 15-16, Midwest Regional on Faith and Healing Prayer, led by keynoter Ted Kallman. This will be in Terre Haute, IN.

Our Fall Regionals have the theme: Pray Big, Pray Bold, Pray Better!

Sept.  19-20, Western Regional with Eddie and Alice Smith (San Jose, CA)
October 23-25, Midwest Prayer Conference with Eddie and Alice Smith (Terre Haute, IN)
Oct 30-Nov 1, Eastern Regional with Dave Butts and Jon Graf (Myerstown, PA)
Nov 12-13, North/Central Regional with Dave Butts and Jon Graf (Massillon, OH)
Jan 2-3, Canadian Regional with Jon Graf (Toronto, Canada)
March 6-7 Central California with Dave Butts and Jon Graf (Fresno, CA)

It is also looking like Empowered 2009 will be in Metro Kansas City. Hope to see you at one or more of these events.

Blessings,
Jonathan Graf
President

Prayer for Healing Featured at Empowered

The popular workshops on "Praying for Healing" taught by Ted Kallman, will once again be featured at Empowered 2008. The content will be offered in a two-part seminar. A much misunderstood practice in churches today, this seminar will present biblical truth that has led thousands to healing. (For the content from Ted's all-day seminar at Empowered 2007, click here .)
 
We are also pleased to announce that popular author Dr. Elmer Towns will be a workshop presenter. He will be teaching on "Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough."

The last earlybird rate is still available until May 1st. But don't delay. Sign up now. Get friends to come.

Click here for more information.

It seems to me . . .

. . . we could use a few windows and doorways.

When I sign-up to attend a conference or register for a class, I seldom think ahead of time as to what the meeting room will be like. Too often, instead of walking into a room bright with natural sunlight, the space has a pre-fab feel; one door and zero windows. Good instructors must work hard to transcend those one-size-fits-all rooms.

So, am I suggesting that every prayer meeting needs to meet in a room with windows?

No, though it would be a good idea to review the physical environment of where your group prays. The place of prayer should be inviting, comfortable, and assist in focusing pray-ers on the purpose or points of prayer for that day.

I am suggesting that every congregation needs more than one entrance into the prayer ministry of that church. Too often, the entire congregation is expected to join the church-at-prayer with a one-size-fits-all option. In many churches, that single option is a weeknight prayer meeting or a telephone (or email) prayer chain or a church prayer room. If you want to pray, and we expect you to want to, then we assume you'll show-up each week or volunteer for the prayer chain or take a turn in the prayer room or. . . . In other words, the people in our church who are really serious about prayer will make the effort to join us when, where, and how we pray

Not that long ago, this presumption actually fit for most of church members. But no longer. Prayer ministries that have only one door, one way into participation, become off-limits to those who work on the night of the corporate prayer meeting. Believe it or not, not everyone enjoys even brief conversations on the phone (or email!). And more people than you imagine struggle to pray alone; an hour in a quiet room trying to pray is close to torture.

Prayer leaders need to have several entrance points into the ministry of prayer. Weeknight prayer when everyone is invited? Sure. A prayer chain or a prayer room? Yes to both! Yes to all three . . . and more! Create opportunities for church members to look in the window to view the ministry of prayer (so they know it does not take professionals). Provide several doors; utilize the seasons, create special events, participate in National and Global Days of Prayer. Train ministry leaders (Sunday school, committees, fellowship and study groups) to include and to facilitate meaningful, Spirit-led segments of praying in their usual agenda.

When I arrive at a conference, I am hesitant to enter if the room has only one door. Several doors make me feel safe; a window even more so. It seems to me the prayer ministries of our churches could use a few windows and doorways.

Pastor Phil

Victory Comes Over Time: One Prayer Leaders Story

By Patti McTee

A little over 3 years ago I joined Inglewood Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, TX. The church I'd just left had gone through a split and folded and I needed a new place to serve. IBC was a congregation filled with people who cared for one another and had many servant leaders, but prayer was just barely on the fringes. Honestly, joining this church was very hard for me because the spiritual climate was so weak. But the Lord made it clear I was be a part of this fellowship. One year later I married Paul, a dear man of God I'd met in Sunday school. During that year I was asked to lead a prayer ministry. This was very challenging because of many obstacles. At the time, prayer ministry was not even a recognized ministry of the church, had no line item on the budget, and no real pastoral support.

I began with many things I'd learned as a member of CPLN, having served as a prayer leader before. I attended business meetings and was eventually able to get prayer as one of the recognized and financially supported ministries. I enlisted a pastor's prayer shield and met with them regularly for prayer and discipleship. And started a variety of prayer activities, including a regularly published article in the newsletter to keep prayer before the people as much as possible. God put a desire in my heart to see this church saturated with prayer and become truly captivated by Him. I wanted them to know Him the way I'd come to know Him.

Getting a prayer room open was incredibly difficult due to financial obstacles and a lack of support or interest. It just wasn't a priority among the staff. I lost count of how many times I wanted to quit. But God had given me a strong husband that often reminded me Who had given me this calling and Who's strength I could rely on.

We finally got the prayer room furnished and ready to open the same weekend as Discipleship Now.  The DNow theme was to exalt God from Ps. 139:2. So from 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb 29 through midnight on Saturday, Mar 1, we asked people to sign up to read God's Word aloud in the prayer room in 30 and 60 minute segments. Youth, college students, young and older adults all participated. It gave everyone the opportunity to see and use the prayer room and supported our youth in the process.

I'll never forget seeing people lined up to get into the prayer room. There were many reports of people saying how much they enjoyed their time in the prayer room and many youth gave testimonies of what God did in their hearts during the weekend. It would seem the most common experience was a call to obedience. An older woman who'd been a member for many years said the time she spent in the prayer room was the most significant thing she's ever experienced at IBC. And what followed this event was just beautiful.

I've been a member of IBC for 3 years now and have never felt and experienced God's presence in a corporate worship setting there like I did that next Sunday. Both morning services and the evening service were incredible. In the morning services, many came to the altar, something that never happens. In the 2nd morning service, one man was so touched by God's Spirit that he left the sanctuary in tears. A young lady from the college/career class noticed and asked my husband what had happened. She thought something was wrong because she'd never seen a move of the Holy Spirit in our church before and she's been gong there her whole life. Paul explained that he'd experienced God's presence and was so overwhelmed by it that it made him cry. She just looked puzzled. Then later, in the evening service, that same young woman came forward and gave a testimony that God had convicted her that she'd not been sold out to Him, that she'd not been faithful to a quiet time, and that she'd not been living the holy life He called her to. Then she wept with that joyful cry we experience when repentance comes. It was beautiful! A little later as we sat singing a worship song, almost immediately people began standing up and lifting their hands to the Lord, again, something I had never seen at IBC before. One of our youth said she could no longer be satisfied to be a status-quo Christian. Another said she could never go back to being a part of a youth group with potential . . . that having potential to make an impact in this world was not good enough and it didn't exalt God. The conviction in her voice was awesome.

I can't even begin to tell you how encouraged I am now and how much I'm looking forward to seeing God move in our midst in the days ahead. No doubt He began this good work, and He will be faithful to complete it.

Patti McTee
Local Church Prayer Leader
Inglewood Baptist Church

Praying for the Sick

By Dave Butts

I'm, not sure why this topic makes me nervous, but it does. Maybe it sounds a little too man-centered. Maybe it doesn’t sound spiritual. Or perhaps, it’s just too close to the same old way we’ve always prayed. As I travel in churches, it’s clear that praying for health issues absolutely dominates the typical church. Although I believe God is showing the Church today that there are many other issues to address in prayer, praying for healing is always extremely important and valid.

As a matter of fact, I believe we need to pray for one another’s physical needs in a much more effective way than we have in the past. Our prayers sometimes sound like this: “Lord, bless brother so-and-so in his illness. Give direction to his physicians. And if it is Your will, please bring him back to complete health. Amen.” Though I don’t fault the heart behind that prayer, I want to suggest some ways in which we might sharpen our prayers for those who are ill.

I want to begin by addressing, or maybe more correctly, not addressing the theological questions that often arise as soon as we begin to speak of divine healing. Today, I’ll leave the deep questions of why people are healed or not healed to others. My belief is simple: More people get healed when we pray than when we don’t. I don’t know why my father died of cancer when so many people prayed for so many years for him. And I certainly don’t know why a heart abnormality found by a test several years ago completely disappeared after many people prayed for me. God's ways are a mystery to us. But because His Word gives both example and command regarding praying for the sick, I am compelled by obedience to pray for those who are ill.

Who can pray for the sick?
All Christians are given that privilege, though there may be those who are more gifted in this area than others. Certainly elders are to be involved in praying for the sick. James writes, “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven” (James 5:14-15).

When and where do we pray for the sick?
We should pray in our families for the sick.
We should pray in the routine of everyday life.
We should pray in small groups, Sunday School classes, Bible Studies, etc.
We should pray as a corporate body in the church.  This could mean a special healing service, an individual coming forward during a worship service to be prayed for by a prayer team or elders, meeting with others in the prayer room after a service, etc.

How do we pray for the sick?
There is no divine methodology. The most fascinating aspect to the healing ministry of Jesus is His astonishing variety of methods employed to bring about healing. Anything from a touch to a mud-pack was used by Jesus to demonstrate His Father’s desire to heal. Jesus shows us that methodology is not doctrine. He gives us the freedom to pray in various ways that all touch the heart of the Father.

A number of years ago, I had the privilege of being in a seminar on healing prayer taught using John Wimber’s methods. I believe that Wimber’s five basic steps are a good, well-balanced approach to praying for healing. The five steps with my commentary are as follows:

I. The Interview

The interview is an attempt to find out two things: Where does it hurt? and Why does it hurt? This is of course, the ultimate question and not always easy to answer. The “why” doesn’t have to be a physical reason. Some illnesses are caused by problem relationships, sin, emotional problems, stress, or even by the demonic. The Interview operates in two planes:

The natural plane where we attempt to find out a bit of what the person is like.
The spiritual plane in which we are asking in prayer for the Holy Spirit to let us know what is wrong in this situation.

II. The Diagnostic Decision

We ask ourselves what might be the ultimate cause of this illness. Not knowing the cause does not mean we do not pray. It just helps us to target our prayers more effectively. It is crucial to listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit during this time.

III. Prayer Selection
Knowing or not knowing the ultimate cause of an illness can help us to know what kind of prayer to pray:
Petition – asking for discernment and wisdom
Intercession – coming to God on behalf of the sick person
Rebuke – doing spiritual battle with the evil one
Command – speaking out a word of healing to the person

IV. The Actual Prayer Time
It is important to remember that this is a time of ministry to someone else. Therefore, it is often important to keep your eyes open so you can see what might be happening physically or emotionally to the one you are praying for.

It is okay to ask questions as you go. For example: “How are you feeling?”
When you don’t know what is wrong, ask the Spirit to come and minister to the person. The Holy Spirit knows what is wrong, even when we don’t.

V. Post-Prayer Suggestions

It is often important for you to give the person some directions after the prayer time. Depending on the circumstances, some examples might be:

Stop living an ungodly lifestyle*
Restore a damaged or broken relationship*
Praise God when symptoms leave!
*Note: If the person prayed for continues to live a sinful life, or does nothing to heal a broken relationship, God is under no obligation to heal him or her. It is important to share this information with anyone you are praying for.

John Wimber gave five additional guidelines that I believe are important for anyone who wants to get serious about praying for the sick:

1. Do not attempt to give orders to God or to write His script for Him. “When I first began praying for the sick, I used to develop mental scenarios of this celebrity or that one getting healed and turning the world upside down for Jesus. It was saying, ‘Hey, God, I’ve got a fantastic idea for You. Have You ever thought of this one?’ I quickly learned that He wasn’t interested.”

2. Do not use formulas or techniques for healing. I realize that some more liturgical groups have written out healing liturgies and healing prayers, and they can be very effective. But let’s not fall into the trap of thinking that what makes the healing take place is saying the right words, creating the right emotional environment, naming and claiming it correctly, using the right oil or holding our hands in the right way when we pray. All of the above might be helpful at times, but none produces healing. Even the name of Jesus itself is not an effective formula per se, as the seven sons of Sceva quickly found out in Acts 19:13-16:

“Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, ‘In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.’ Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?’ Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.”

3. Always seek God’s will for the healing. John says that God will hear our prayers “if we ask anything according to His will” (I John 5:14).

4. Follow Jesus’ example in being an open channel for the Father to do what He wants to do through you.

5. Do not attribute the results of prayer for the sick, whether positive or negative, to the faith level or attitude of the sick person.

My own addition to these guidelines is to add the “so that” clause to our prayers for healing. Again and again in Scripture we see the people of God included in their prayers the phrase, “so that” (See John 9:3, 11:4, 14:13). Perhaps we need to pray for the sick, adding, “so that You, Father, may be glorified.” Or, we may pray for healing, “so that the family and friends might see Your power, and come to know You as Savior and Lord.”

Let’s take these acts of compassion and love for others and turn them into opportunities for God to receive honor and glory as He responds to our prayers for healing.

--David Butts if the president of Harvest Prayer Ministries and the chairman of America’s National Prayer Committee. He is the author of: Asleep in the Land of Nod, Pray Like the King and The Devil Goes to Church.

A Sure Fire Catalyst for Prayer

Prayer leaders and pastors often ask me, “What one prayer idea seems to be the most effective at getting the most people in a church praying?” There are a lot of effective prayer ideas these days—but each seems to bring a different result.
But when the question is “which idea is most effective at getting the most people praying,” the answer is easy: doing an all-church prayer initiative. 
 
What is a prayer initiative? It is when everyone prays on the same theme over a set period of time—often a week, month or 40 days. Since it is for a manageable time period, if promoted properly within a church, a prayer initiative often inspires even those who don’t regularly pray about church issues to do so.
 
Many denominations have annual initiatives such as a Week of Prayer. Churches often use prayer initiatives prior to a building or development campaign. Missions groups have been using them for years (Praying through the Window, 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World, etc.) Why? Because if they are supported by the leadership of a church and are promoted well, nothing rallies more people to prayer than an initiative.
 
The Benefits
What are the benefits of prayer initiatives?
 
1. They teach people to pray biblically. Most prayer initiatives offer great prayer guides, with powerful, kingdom prayers that are based upon Scripture. So people are not left to their own abilities to think what should I pray? They are given clear direction. And that puts people at ease. The Scriptures also make sure they pray God’s will. As a result, they learn to “pray better.”
 
2. It provides a season of strong corporate prayer in a church. When praying through an initiative there is a lot of agreement taking place, which Scripture reminds us brings results (Mt. 18:18-20). Powerful corporate prayer brings results— a small-town church that participated in Seek God for the City a number of years ago saw its congregation double (from 30 to 60) in a few months’ time.
 
3. It increases participation in the ongoing prayer life of the church. A number of people will get so excited by what God did to them spiritually, that they will continue to pray for and with the church afterwards. Churches that provide and promote additional prayer opportunities following an initiative will see a raise in participation.
 
As prayer leaders we often struggle to increase our church’s prayer energy. I firmly believe that an initiative can provide the quickest jump start available. It can revolutionize your church!

Two highly recommended prayer initiatives are Seek God for the City and Love to Pray.
 
--Jonathan Graf is the president of the Church Prayer Leaders Network. A popular speaker on prayer, Jon is available for weekend prayer conferences. You can contact him at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

PrayerShop Introduces Revival Prayer Guide 

Monthly Super Special

Hot off the presses, Asleep in the Land of Nod: Thirty Days of Prayer TowardAwakening the Church by David Butts is our super special for April. Written for the Heart-Cry for Revival conference April 14-18, this devotional prayer guide will fuel your passion for revival in the church.

Each day offers a devotional thought to fuel prayer, than it provides a prayer point and a prayer to stimulate your heart-cry for God to revive His church. Buy a copy for each member of your Sunday school class, small group or prayer group.

Normally Asleep in the Land of Nod retails for $6.00 each, but until April 30^th, you can purchase a copy for $4.00 (33% off). Multiple copy discounts: 25-99 copies, 35% off; 100 or more copies, 40% off.

To order