Prayer Leader OnLine Interviews Laurraine Huffman

First Baptist Church, El  Paso, Texas

Border Prayer  Network (A prayer ministry dedicated to networking and serving community leaders, pastors, prayer leaders, and intercessors for the advance of Christ's kingdom at the Gates of Authority on the U.S.–Mexico Border

Q. Laurie, what drew you into prayer? And then how did that lead you into prayer ministry?

When I was in second grade, I would pray using the Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer. I was not "saved" then, but the prayer book was a blessing to me as a child. Because of my experience, may I say that children's prayer materials (guides or prayer booklets) should be made available in the local church to encourage children to pray.

Then at the age of 30, I was born again, and within a few years I began praying with some women in a home prayer group for our city. I went for the wrong reasons. I wanted to become a friend of the young woman who was leading the prayer group. But prayer was so exciting that I got hooked.

In 1989, after being involved in two prayer groups, I approached our pastor about starting a prayer group in our church. It was there that I learned much from the Lord about local church prayer ministry, because back then, there were no books that I knew of on the subject.

. . . because harder doesn't work. Let the Lord guide you always and ask the Lord for refreshing and anointing (Ps. 92:10,12-15). As you pray and mobilize others to pray, believe God for the miraculous, but know that God is in control and the outcome and timing of events is up to Him.
 
Q. Describe your regional Prayer Leaders Network and how it equips the local church prayer leaders.
Our regional network for local church prayer leaders meets several times a year. Our goal is to keep prayer leaders connected, informed, and edified as we also connect to others in the national prayer movement. We have brought in nationally known guests speakers like Phil, but at other times, local leaders will share. Since we know so many Spanish speaking congregations, our ministry must also be bi-lingual. Paula Combs, the director of our regional network, is bi-lingual. Though we have a great model for a prayer room at the City Prayer Center, one of the neatest things that we did at one meeting was to take a "tour" of local church prayer rooms to get ideas. It was fun and very inspirational.
 
Q. What resources do you consider essential for church prayer leaders?
Pray! magazine, The Prayer Saturated Church by Cheryl Sacks, Preyed On or Prayed For, and Making Room to Pray by Dr. Terry Teykl, The Praying Church Sourcebook by Alvin J. Vander Griend, A House of Prayer by John Franklin, Seek God for the City prayer guides by Steve Hawthorne, and National Day of Prayer materials. (I also loved Possessing the Gates of the Enemy by Cindy Jacobs and Seasons of Intercession by Frank Damazio) Resources should also include prayer alerts and emails from ministries such as the National Pastors Prayer Network, Intercessors for America or Capitol Hill Prayer Partners.

Q. How are conferences, seminars, workshops important for the prayer leader, personally? For the ministry of the prayer leader in the congregation?
One must receive ministry and teaching from others who are called to teach on prayer or have a prayer ministry. If pastors and other ministry leaders attend conferences to be inspired and for spiritual growth, shouldn't the prayer leader as well? We can always learn from seasoned leaders who are called to the same or similar ministry. Prayer conferences should also confirm what the Lord has already put in your heart and to expand your vision for your congregation. Be equipped so that you can equip others.
 
Q. Any insights on how to involve reluctant pastors in the church's ministry of prayer?
Prayer leaders need to understand that some pastors will never want to be involved in the church's prayer ministry. The pastor may feel like he is doing his job, and that the prayer leader and team are doing theirs. I have known prayer leaders who have prayed for years that their pastor will get involved and nothing has changed. Just keep your eyes on Jesus and be resolved in your mission to pray and lead the prayer ministry for your church. Keep your hands and heart pure. Know it is the Lord you are serving and God will reward you (Rom.12:3-12, Eph. 6:5-8).

Now that I have said that, try and connect your pastor to community prayer events such as the National Day of Prayer. Your pastor could be inspired through what happens there and then he might be more open to the church prayer ministry. Execute your prayer ministry with prayer, wisdom, passion and excellence. Try and keep an account of answered prayer to give to the pastor, so he can see how God is working. Finally, bring in a really good guest speaker on prayer and encourage your pastor and other church leaders to come to at least one session. Remember, it is the Holy Spirit who will draw the pastor and others into the prayer ministry.
 
Q. Can you offer a prayer for our prayer leaders?

Dear Father, we thank You for calling us to know You intimately. Thank You for giving us understanding in the importance of prayer, not only for ourselves, but for and in the context of the local church setting. We love You for calling us to be a house of prayer. Let it be so, in Jesus' name. This new year continue to ask the pastors in the Body of Christ to commission local church prayer leaders for their congregations. Expand the Church Prayer Leader's Network's influence. Encourage those who are serving as local church prayer leaders and bless them with the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know you better. Provide the people, the finances, the time, the room, the resources to engage your church to become a house of prayer for all people. Refresh this mission to serve as local church prayer leaders and enable us to pray God-sized, faith-filled, Holy Spirit-led prayers that only You can answer. In Jesus' precious name. Amen.