CONFERENCE EVENTS

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PRAYER FOR YOUR CHURCH

Lord, I lift up the speakers and teachers in our church. May everyone who holds that position—pastors, Sunday school teachers, small group leaders, guest speakers—rightly divide Your word of truth. Let them admonish and teach with wisdom. Reveal the mysteries of Your word to them and encourage them to speak those mysteries courageously and fearlessly. Let them speak with a spirit of faith that springs from their relationship with You. (2 Tim. 2:15; Col. 1:28; Dan. 2:47; Phil. 1:14; 2 Cor. 4:13)
 
Home arrow March 2005 arrow An Idea for Prayer Champions
An Idea for Prayer Champions PDF Print E-mail

"Praying" Them There

In an active church, it is rare to see many come to a time of corporate prayer. One of the reasons is that many people are so involved in other things that the thought of not another night out keeps them from participating. What about an approach that doesn't require them to be there every week for prayer.

An alternative? Don't stop encouraging people to come every week, but give them specific reasons to participate on designated dates. For example, try what two very different congregations--Grace Church in Racine, Isconsin and Uptown Baptist CHurch in Chicago, Illinous, are employing by inviting ministry leaders to receive prayer. Each week the prayer meeting focuses on a differrent aspect of ministry in the church. Those minsitries are prayed for as are the ministry leaders (who receive a special invitaion to attend).

The benefits:

  • prayer for the key ministry leaders of the congregation
  • affirmation and blessing for those who serve on the frontlines
  • encouragement for the praying faithful by giving them an opportunity to pray with, not just for, the servants of the church.

A possible schedule and focus for each week:

  1. Worship: musicians, singers, actors, ushers/greeters, technicians--everyone who serves the weekly worship celebration
  2. Discipleship: teachers, trainers, counselors, mentors--everyone who guides spiritual formation
  3. Fellowship: small group leaders, activity personnel--everyone who gathers people to build relationships
  4. Leadership: elders/deacons/council/board/staff--everyone who serves in a capacity of authority
  5. Stewardship: administration, financial accounting, facility maintenance--everyone who cares for tangible resources
  6. Friendship: evangelism, social services, missions--everyone involved in outreach in the community or beyond

A possible format:

  • Praise: songs and scriptures of adoration to God (15-20 minutes)
  • Passion: a brief devotional, reminding those who serve why they do what they do (5-10)
  • Prayer: prayers for the ministry focused on that evening (20-30)
  • Prayer specific prayers for those who serve in that capacity (20-30)

Following a season of focused prayer nights, challenge the entire congregation to commit to participate at least once each month for the next four months. As you do, pray that some of those who have come once will become regular participants and that others will begin to come to the place of prayer more often. Both are good results.
 
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