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PRAYER FOR YOUR CHURCH

Prayer Focus 

 

Lord, I lift up the prayer focus in my church. Make us into a house of prayer. We desire to be clear-minded and self-controlled so that we can pray first, always, continually and thankfully. May everyone recognize that this is Your desire for all and not just a few. Use us to stand in the gap for others. Let there be prayer ministry among us that is powerful and effective. (Mk. 11:17; 1 Pet. 4:7; 1 Tim. 2:1; Eph. 6:18; 1 Thes. 5:17; Phil. 4:6; Ps. 32:6; Ezk. 22:30; Jas. 5:16)

 
Home arrow March 2005 arrow Uncommon Prayer Meetings
Uncommon Prayer Meetings PDF Print E-mail

Turning Prayer Meetings into Prayer Adventures

Making Prayer a Team Sport

Is it possible that even the Lord is bored with many of our prayer meetings? With heads bowed and ears closed, many of us simply repeat (in sometimes identical wording!) the needs and wants of last week . . . followed by the next person’s list of problems followed by the next person’s list or troubles.
 

Merely adding more people who also recite a list of items, as spiritual as they may be, is not the solution. Prayer meetings that motivate participants to return out of devotion not duty should be:
  • Conversations not monologues
  • Symphonies not solos
  • Hockey not figure skating

In other words, dynamic prayer meetings are team sports, not individual ones.

Simple steps that can refocus and spiritually energize your prayer meetings:

  • Step #1: Establish a facilitator who will give clear direction at each transition point
  • Step #2: Identify the one or two areas the prayer meeting will focus on that evening: missions, individuals, lost persons, ?) 
  • Step #3: Follow the format (pray from the theme identified by the facilitator)
  • Step #4: Teach people to let their prayer be the continuation of the prayer of the person who preceded

Most prayer meetings never get much beyond praying for the sick to get well. Next time, try this format:

  • Sick: Begin (or better yet, end) with a focus on people who are sick
  • Searching: Pray for people who are in need of the gospel
  • Serving: Remember those who lead and volunteer in various ministries of your church
  • Strategic: Followed by people who are Key leaders in your community (both civic and business)
  • Staff and Missionaries: Conclude with people who are in full and part time ministry who are associated with your church.

Use this form when listing prayer needs in bulletins and newsletters so that members are trained in how to think more strategically when they pray throughout their day.

Sick
Searching
Servants
Strategic
Sent

Most of the routine prayer list items will be covered but in a way that is in agreement with the rest of the group. No more boring prayer meetings!
 
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