Fifteen Ways to Lead Group Prayer: A Practical Guide for Those who Lead Others in Prayer

Transcription

1 Fifteen Ways t Lead Grup Prayer: A Practical Guide fr Thse wh Lead Others in Prayer Intrductin Have yu ever been t a prayer meeting where mre time was spent discussing prayer requests than was spent in prayer? What ften happens is that the prayer leader asks fr requests and thirty-minutes later the grup finally gets arund t a ten-minute prayer sessin. Many prayer services, meetings, r small grup prayer sessins end up being cnsumed by devtinals, the recrding f prayer requests, r discussin sessins where the needs f the cmmunity are discussed fr minutes befre prayer begins. If yu have ever led prayer meetings as a pastr r prayer leader, then yu have prbably struggled with keeping a prayer meeting fcused n prayer. This bklet was birthed ut f a need t assist pastrs and prayer leaders as they lead grup prayer sessins. In Matthew 7:7-11 Jesus instructs his fllwers t ask, seek and knck while praying. Andrew Murray, the great Suth African pastr and thelgian nce said, Gd must give, we must ask. In ther wrds, Gd s rle in prayer is t give accrding t His desires, purpses and ways. Our rle as His peple and priests in His kingdm is t be abut ur relatinship with Him thrugh asking, seeking and kncking prayer. Whether it is a directed prayer fcus in a wrship service, a cttage prayer meeting preparing fr revival r renewal emphasis r a small grup prayer sessin, this bklet will help yu as yu lead thers in specific prayer that is Bible-based. United Prayer Wrks The Bible clearly demnstrates the pwer f united prayer. This is especially true with the early church. As the fllwers f Christ waited n the Hly Spirit they did s in united prayer (see Acts 1:14). When the disciples faced persecutin in Acts 4 their respnse was united prayer (see Acts 4:23-33). Als, when the church at Antich was ready t send missinaries ut t share the gspel and plant churches they prepared and sent them ut in united prayer (see Acts 13:1-4). In all three f the abve references, Gd advanced His evangelistic missin thrugh united prayer. Tday, there is n dubt that Gd is calling his peple back t Himself in a relatinship-centered life f prayer (see Jer 33:3). Cngregatins and small grups alike are experiencing extrardinary mves f the Hly Spirit as they spend fcused time in united prayer. Believers and whle cngregatins are being renewed and revived and lst peple are being cnverted as Gd s peple return t Him in persnal hliness, deep cleansing and united prayer tward the Great Cmmissin (see 2 Chrn 7:14). One cngregatin in Cnver, Nrth Carlina recently spent thirty-days in cttage prayer meetings befre having revival services. The scheduled twelve-day revival turned int thirty-five nights f revival meetings as believers were revived, brken relatinships were restred, wayward children returned t Christ and their parents, the lst were cnverted and families returned t the Lrd tgether. Leading United Prayer Effrts As Gd calls His peple t prayer, it is imprtant fr pastr s and prayer leaders t prepare t lead cngregatinal r small grup prayer times in an effective and fcused way. Once while leading a Wednesday night pray meeting, I encuraged peple t break int small grups and pray. I ffered little directin t the grups nly that they were t pray tgether fr thirty minutes. I nticed that they either spent much f the time discussing what t pray fr and then had little time t pray r sme grups went quickly int their prayer time but finished praying early and were talking and laughing after abut twenty minutes. The thirty-minute prayer meeting lasted abut ten minutes. Frm that experience I recgnized the need t have sme kind f a plan f pattern t use t direct grup prayer times.

2 Anther challenge a prayer leader faces while leading united prayer times is keeping the grup fcused n specific prayer requests and tpics. Our minds tend t wnder while we pray if there is n definite structure r guide fr ur prayer times tgether. That is nt t say that we shuld keep every prayer time s structured that there is n allwance fr spntaneity in ur praying. Remember that the necessary spice f any regular prayer meeting is variety. Strategic Prayer Having a pattern, plan r structure in mind befre leading united prayer gatherings als helps participants t pray strategic prayers. Strategic prayer is essential if cngregatins are ging t be invlved in the activity f Gd in their wrld. Jesus prayed in Jhn 17:24 fr His fllwers t be where He is wrking in the wrld s that they may experience the pwerful presence f Gd in their midst. Strategic prayer effrts allw fr infrmed and effective prayer effrts that fcus n Gd s agenda. In Acts 4:23-33, the first century church was faced with their first intense time f persecutin. Hw did they respnd? They united their hearts tgether in prayer. Nt just any kind f prayer but strategic prayer that was in tune with Gd s missin and His purpses. The key t leading effective prayer gatherings is t help thers t pray Gd s prayer lists. There are numerus things t pray abut. A pattern r plan f actin that is cntextually sensitive as well as Biblebased will help the prayer leader keep Gd s prayer agenda and list at the frefrnt f the praying. Gdcentered praying is strategic prayer at its best. Cmprehensive Prayer When leading grup prayer sessins it is nt nly essential t fcus n strategic prayer but als n cmprehensive prayer. There are multiple directins in which a prayer meeting may be lead. There is certainly n shrtage f things t pray fr r abut. Hwever, as a prayer leader yu may ask, Hw d yu rganize a grup prayer sessin where yu cver specific prayer needs and at the same time are faithful t the biblical mandate t pray cmprehensively tward the Great Cmmissin as taught in Acts 1:8? In ther wrds, what areas f prayer shuld be cvered in a grup prayer sessin? One way t ensure a cmprehensive Biblical apprach t prayer that allws fr strategic cntextual prayer is t rganize each prayer gathering arund the fllwing areas f prayer: Persnal prayer cncerns Cngregatinal (crprate) prayer cncerns Kingdm prayer cncerns These three areas f prayer represent the three majr prayer patterns that are taught and mdeled thrughut the New Testament. The mdel prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 and Jesus high priestly prayer in Jhn 17 as well as Paul s prayers in his Epistles fall int ne f these three areas. Als, when yu examine the prayer patterns f the early church in Acts yu can easily identify persnal, cngregatinal and kingdm prayer patterns (see Acts 1:14; 2:42; 4:23-33; 10-11; 13:1-3; etc.) Biblical Helps fr Effective Prayer Effective prayer begins with Bible-based prayer. As yu lead prayer gatherings be sure t remind believers f the fllwing fundatinal prayer principles. Listed belw are seven fundatinal prayer essentials frm Gd s wrd that are helpful t keep in mind as we pray. Pray frm a cleansed life and heart (James 5:16) Pray with perseverance and persistence (Matthew 7:7-11)

3 Pray specific prayers (Matthew 9:35-38) Pray with a sensitivity t Gd s Spirit (Psalm 46:10) Pray Spirit-filled prayers (Ephesians 6:18-20) Pray in accrdance with Gd s will (Luke 22:39-46) Pray with a view tward bedience and service (Psalm 126:4-6) Three Appraches There are many ways t lead a grup in directed prayer. I am suggesting that yu use ne f three Biblical methds t direct thers in united prayer. The Scripture Text methd is simple and easy t use. This methd allws the leader t chse a passage f scripture ging verse by verse thrugh the passage. The leader can break the passage dwn by phrases r sectins if needed. With this apprach the scripture text is used t direct the subjects that are being prayed fr. Als with this apprach, participants can be led t pray the actual phrases f the scripture passage that is being used. An example f this is Clssians 1:9-12 where Paul prays fr the believers t be filled with a knwledge f Gd s will in all spiritual wisdm, walk in a manner wrthy f Jesus, please Jesus in every way, bear fruit in every wrk, strengthened with Gd s pwer and might, attaining steadfastness and patience, giving thanks t the Father fr their inheritance in Christ. What a pwerful prayer t pray fr fellw believers! The Scripture Theme/Tpic methd is als a simple, but effective way t lead grup prayer meetings. With this methd, the leader chses a theme/tpic r themes/tpics that are taken directly frm Scripture passages. The passage itself is shared with the grup and the majr theme/tpic represented in the passage is used t direct all r part f the prayer meeting. Tpics can represent special ccasins r emphases. Sme cmmn tpics that are used in mid-week r small grup prayer meetings are: persnal hliness, revival and awakening, missins, special events, evangelism effrts, the lst, believers, sickness, plitical leaders, military persnnel, etc. An example f this wuld be the use f Acts 1:8. The theme/tpic represented by this text is the Great Cmmissin r Missins. Believers are then directed t pray fr missinaries t be sent, the lst t be saved, drs t be pened fr the gspel in their cmmunity, state, natin, wrld and fr Christian witnesses t be empwered with the Spirit as they g. The Acrstic methd is als a helpful and ppular way t guide believers thrugh strategic prayer gatherings. With this apprach, participants are given a wrd where each letter represents a theme r tpic fr directed prayer. Fr instance, the wrd PRAY can be used t lead believers t Praise the Lrd, Repent f sin, Ask Gd fr specific prayer requests, and t Yield t Gd s will thrugh specific prayer. Again, it is helpful t read scripture verses that relate t the varius tpics represented by each letter f the acrstic. Fifteen Ways t Lead Grup Prayer Meetings The fllwing examples are included as suggested ways t lead grups in directed prayer times. Be sure t read the scripture passages befre yu lead the grup in prayer. Then use the prayer prmpts listed t direct the grup in prayer. As the leader, yu will need t mve the grup alng t each prmpt. Be sure t give clear directins t the grup s they can fllw yur lead thrugh the prayer time. It is als helpful t have sft music playing while the grup/grups pray. In additin, it helps t intersperse praise chruses, additinal scripture readings r brief testimnies f answered pray int the guided prayer times.

4 The examples belw can be cpied, altered and reprduced as needed. Try nt t frget persnal, cngregatinal and kingdm requests while praying thrugh these passages. Matthew 6:9-13 (Scripture text methd): Pray fr Believers t exercise the privilege f prayer (vs. 9a) Praise and adre the Father in prayer (vs. 9b) Pray fr Gd s rule in lst peple s lives thrugh salvatin in Christ (vs. 10a) Pray fr believers t be abut Gd s will in the wrld (i.e., evangelizatin, vs. 10b) Pray fr Gd s daily prvisin (vs. 11) Pray tward persnal repentance, cnfessin and healing f brken relatinships (vs. 12) Pray fr spiritual prtectin frm Satan s temptatins and ways (13a) Pray fr the Father t be exalted and glrified as He answers these prayers in His pwer and might (vs. 13b) Jhn 17:11-24 (Scripture text methd): Pray fr believers t live a Christ like character befre the wrld (vs. 11) Pray that Christians will experience the cmplete jy f Jesus in their lives (vs. 13) Pray fr divine prtectin frm Satan (vs. 15) Pray that believers will live set apart and hly lives in Christ (vs. 17) Pray fr Christians t be united in missin and purpse (vs ) Pray that believers will jin Christ in His redemptive wrk and behld His Glry (vs. 24) Acts 4:23-33 (Scripture text methd): Unite tgether and praise Gd as Creatr and sustainer f all things (vs ) Thank Gd fr His prvidential and svereign wrk f salvatin in yur life and in yur wrld (vs ) Pray fr Christian witnesses t have a hly bldness as they share their faith with the lst (vs. 29) Pray fr Christ t validate His wrk f salvatin with changed hearts and lives (vs. 30) Pray fr Christians t be filled with the Hly Spirit (vs. 31) Pray fr a unified cngregatin where the fcus is n pwerful prclamatin f the resurrected Christ (vs ) Pray fr Gd t pur ut his abundant grace upn yur church tday (vs. 33) 1 Timthy 2:1-8 (Scripture text methd): Pray fr specific needs in the yur cmmunity, state, natin and wrld (entreaties, vs. 1a) Pray fr general prayer requests in yur church and cmmunity field (prayers, vs. 1b) Pray fr the salvatin f specific lst peple (petitins, vs. 1c) Praise and thank the Lrd fr specific answers t prayer (thanksgivings, vs. 1d) Pray fr the salvatin and spiritual grwth f plitical leaders in yur cmmunity, state, natin and wrld (vs. 2) Pray fr the Great Cmmissin t be fulfilled as Gd s peple answer His call t take the Gspel t their wrld (vs. 3-7) Pray fr Gd s peple t answer His call t unite in fcused prayer fr revival and spiritual awakening (vs. 8). 2 Chrnicles 7:13-14 (Scripture text methd) Pray that Gd wuld shw His mercy tward His peple during times f judgment when the church needs revival (vs. 13) Pray fr believers t return t the Lrd in a prayer-centered relatinship (vs. 14a)

5 Pray fr a spirit f sincere and genuine repentance and cnfessin amng Gd s peple (vs. 14b) Pray fr revival and renewal t take place amng Gd s peple as they return and repent f their sin (vs. 14c) Pray fr Gd s redemptive purpses amng the lst multitudes t be accmplished as revival cmes t His peple and they are sent int the wrld (vs. 14d) Psalm 2:8 Praying fr Missins (Scripture theme/tpic methd) Pray fr a lst peple grup r a specific natin t hear the gspel (visit IMB.rg) Pray that Gd wuld raise up and send Christian witnesses t the natins. Pray fr specific missinaries arund the wrld t be prtected spiritually, physically, emtinally, and mentally as they share their faith in their ministry regin (visit imb.rg and namb.net fr names f specific missinaries) Pray that Gd wuld pen drs that man cannt shut fr the missinaries t share their faith with lst peple arund them. Pray fr a liberty and bldness fr specific missinaries as they bear witness t the resurrected Christ. Pray that Gd wuld raise up prayer-labrers t intercede n behalf f the lst arund the wrld. Psalm 51:1-19 Prayer fr Persnal Revival, Cleansing and Hliness (Scripture theme/tpic methd) Pray fr a spirit f humility and brkenness ver the apathy shwn tward Gd by believers. Pray fr Gd s gracius mercy and lving-kindness t be applied as Gd s peple repent and cnfess their sin Pray fr a spirit f hnesty and integrity as believers cnfess sins and seek Gd s frgiveness Pray fr Gd s Spirit t cnvict and cnvince believers f specific sins they have cmmitted Pray that the Hly Spirit wuld deliver believers frm the guilt f sin Pray fr believers t be renewed and restred in the jy f the salvatin they have in their relatinship with Christ Pray that as believers experience cleansing and hliness that they will be passinate abut sharing their faith with a lst wrld. Rmans 10:1-2 Passinate Prayer fr the Lst (Scripture theme/tpic methd) Pray fr believers t have a passinate desire t pray fr lst peple Pray fr Christians t have a heartfelt desire t share their faith with the lst Pray fr the Lrd t prvide divine encunters between the lst and Christian witnesses Pray fr specific lst peple t understand their need fr Jesus Pray fr specific wrship services and special evangelism effrts that Gd will pen the hearts f lst peple t the truth f Christ Pray that specific lst peple will cme under deep cnvictin f sin and seek frgiveness thrugh Christ Pray fr Christian witnesses t have bldness in their speech as they witness Psalm 127:1-5 Prayer fr Families (Scripture theme/tpic) Pray fr Gd t raise up gdly families in yur church Pray fr the Lrd t prtect families spiritually, physically, emtinally and mentally frm the temptatins and deceptive ways f the evil ne

6 Pray that husbands and fathers will be gdly spiritual leaders in their hmes, lving their wives as Christ lves the church, and raising their children t lve and serve the Lrd Pray that wives and mthers will lve and respect their husbands and seek t raise their children in ways that are pleasing t Gd Pray fr Christian hmes that are experiencing separatin, hardship and divrce t be restred and renewed in the lve f Christ Pray fr single parent hmes Pray that the parent will be strengthened and encuraged as they raise the children alne Pray fr Christian children and yuth t stand firm with Christ and reach ut t their friends that are lst Pray fr Christian families t live a life befre thers that will cause lst families t want t knw Christ Pray that Gd wuld wrk thrugh circumstances and events t draw lst families t Christ Psalm 85:1-13 Prayer fr Natinal Revival and Awakening (Scripture theme/tpic methd) Pray fr Gd s peple t be brken ver their apathy and cmplacency Pray that Gd s peple wuld assume respnsibility fr the mral and spiritual ersin that is taking place in the natin Pray fr Gd t pur ut His mercy n His peple in the land Pray that times f natinal crisis wuld be subtle reminders t Gd s peple that Gd is svereign and righteus, a just Gd wh desires that His peple walk with Him and glrify Him in their time f need Pray that believers wuld nt trust in military might r plitical agendas fr change in culture. Pray that believers wuld return t a true and genuine dependence in the Gd f glry t turn the natin arund and change lives. Pray fr a spirit f prayer t spread like wild fire acrss the land where believers are returning t Gd and seeking His deliverance frm the mral and spiritual famine in the land Praise Gd fr His lyal lve and mercy. Thank Him fr His wrk and the blessings He has bestwed n His peple in the natin Pray that Gd wuld revive His peple and awaken the lst t their need fr Christ acrss the natin ACTS (Acrstic methd) Use the ACTS acrstic t guide yur prayer time. These categries are brad enugh t allw fr adaptatin t different cntexts. This acrstic cntains the majr elements given by Christ in the Mdel prayer (see Matt. 6:9-13; Luke 11:1-4). Adratin--Spend time praising the Lrd and adring Him fr wh He is (Matt. 6:9). Use Scripture t praise Him (e.g., Psalms 103, 145, 150: Rev. 4:8; 5:12-14). Lve and cherish His presence and wrk in and thrugh yur life (Matt 22:32-34). Be still befre Him and enjy His presence (Psalm 46:10). Als, use this time t allw Gd t speak t yu thrugh His Wrd and Spirit (Psalm 40:1-3; 90:12-17). Praise the Lrd by praying scripture r hymns back t Him (e.g., Psalm 84, Rev. 4:8; 5:9-10, and Great is Thy Faithfulness). Cnfessin--Cnfessin shuld be a part f yur cntinual walk with Christ (Matt. 6:9-13). Spend time asking Christ t search yur heart fr areas that displease Him (Psalm 139:23-24). Allw Gd t cleanse yur heart f any uncnfessed sin (Psalm 51:10-13). Be sure t spend time cnfessing and repenting (turning away frm) f specific sins (1 Jhn 1:9). Accept His frgiveness and cleansing (Jer. 31:34).

7 Thanksgiving-- Giving thanks fr all things shuld be a part f ur everyday lives as Gd s peple (Phil. 4:6-7). This includes thanking Gd fr specific things such as blessings, peple, pen drs, guidance, etc. Als, give thanks fr His salvatin and the privilege t serve such a wnderful Savir. Thank Him fr His gdness, lving-kindness, and faithfulness (Ps. 100:4-6). Supplicatin--We are called as believers t intercessry prayer (Matt. 6:9-13; Luke 18:1; I Tim.2:1-4; Cl. 4:2). Thus, we are t cme befre Gd n behalf f thers (Heb. 10:19-25; Rev. 1:4-6). Spend time praying fr specific peple, events, states, cuntries, missinaries, etc. (See Rm. 10:1; Acts 12:5ff). In additin, spend time praying fr persnal, cngregatinal, and kingdm needs (Matt. 6:11-13). Make prayer lists fr the time f supplicatin. Be sure t include a place fr answers t be recrded. Recrded answers can becme items fr praise and thanksgiving. PRAY (Acrstic methd) Use the PRAY acrstic t guide the prayer time. The pattern is the same as the abve acrstic. Be creative with the varius ways yu lead the peple thrugh each time f prayer. Praise Spend time praising the Lrd using Psalm 100 as the basis fr yu prayers. Praise Him fr His character, His Gdness, Grace, Gifts and His wrk in peple s lives. Praise Him that He is always wrking in the wrld and exalt Him fr His beautiful creatin. Encurage the participants t Praise Gd with shrt sentence prayers that name His attributes (Hly, Just, I AM, Pure, All-Pwerful, Mercy, etc.). G thrugh the alphabet and Praise him letter by letter. Repentance Lead in a time f cnfessin, cleansing and repentance. Remind the grup that uncnfessed sin can hinder the effectiveness f ur prayers (Psalm 66:18). Read thrugh Psalm 15 and ask participants t respnd t the Lrd persnally. Encurage participants t spend time in silence, asking Gd t search their hearts fr sin (Psalm 39:23-24).Ask participants t spend time thanking Gd fr His frgiveness (1 Jhn 1:9). Ask This part f the directed prayer time shuld fcus n specific prayer requests (see Matt 7:7-11). Lead participants t pray fr the felt needs f individuals (James 5:13-15). Lead in a time t pray fr specific lst peple. Spend time praying fr cngregatinal needs. Pray fr State, Nrth American and Internatinal missin effrts. Encurage the participants t share persnal prayer requests with each ther. At this time yu may ask individuals t share a prayer request with the whle grup, and have thers t gather arund them and pray. Yield Read Matthew 26: Lead participants t spend time meditating and reflecting n what the Lrd said t them as they prayed. Encurage them t surrender t Gd s purpses, ways, directin and cnvictin in their lives. This is a time when participants may need t act upn smething the Spirit has said. Sme may need t share a testimny, thers may need t cnfess and ask frgiveness frm a fellw believe fr a wrng cmmitted. Still thers may need t say yes t Gd s will cncerning a calling t missins, etc. BLESS (Acrstic methd) Use the BLESS methd t pray fr Gd s blessings t be pured ut upn peple in churches, neighbrhds, cmmunities, etc. This acrstic is an effective way t pray fr specific lists f peple including thse in the church membership bk, telephne bk, neighbrhd phne directries, military persnnel listings, lcal cmmunity fficials, etc. Bdy Spend time praying fr the individuals and their physical needs. Pray fr strength, health and physical healing where it applies (James 5:13-15). Pray that believers will desire t eat well and seek t keep their bdies fit. Pray that individuals will be strengthened with Gd s might and pwer (Cl 1:11).

8 Labr Lead participants t pray fr Gd s favr t be upn the individuals they are praying fr. Ask Gd t grant them favr with Him and with man (Luke 2:52). Lead them t pray fr believers t grw in wisdm and natural abilities s that they might advance in their wrk and have pprtunity fr greater influence fr Christ. Pray that Christians will be careful t always walk their talk befre fellw emplyees (Eph 5:1-2). Emtins Lead the grup t pray fe healthy emtinal strength fr thers. Pray fr renewed minds and fr wisdm t live life in the center f Gd s will (Rm 12:1-2). Pray that Gd will grant them understanding that cmes frm a regular study f The Bible (Psalm 19). Pray that Christians will guard their minds frm evil and unhealthy influences by being careful what they read, listen t r watch. Pray fr Christians t guard frm putting up emtinal barriers that hinder relatinships and spiritual grwth (Prverbs 4:23). Scial Read Matthew 5: Lead participants t pray fr the peple n their lists that they will be blessed with gd relatinships. Pray that Christian yuth and adults will see the need t be careful whm they spend mst f their time with. Pray that husbands and wives will use gd judgment as they relate t members f the ppsite sex. Pray fr families t live a life f integrity amng neighbrs and friends. Pray that Christian families will live fr Christ amng thse they relate t in everyday life. Spiritual Lead the grup t pray fr the spiritual needs f the individuals they are praying fr. Ask them t pray fr their salvatin (Rm 10:1-2). Ask them t pray fr spiritual grwth and maturity if they are believers. Ask participants t pray fr their spiritual prtectin frm the evil ne (Jhn 17:15). Pray that Gd will be able t use them as instruments in His wrld. Pray that they will be faithful t study Gd s wrd, pray regularly, witness and serve Christ thrugh and in the lcal church (Acts 2:42). HEARTS (Acrstic methd) Use the HEARTS acrstic t lead grups t pray biblically and specifically fr the lst (1 Tim 2:1-4). It is best t break the participants int triplets r quads. Ask the participants t share tw-three names f lst peple with their grup. Then lead them t pray thrugh the acrstic. It is helpful t read the scripture verses fr each letter befre the grups pray. Pray fr Receptive Hearts (Luke 8:5-15) Pray fr their Spiritual EyesandEarst be pened (Matt. 13:15; 2 Cr. 4:3-4) Pray fr unbelievers t have and understand Gd s Attitude tward sin (Jhn 16:8) Pray fr the lst t be Released frm barriers and strnghlds that hinder faith (2 Tim. 2:25-26) Pray fr unbelievers t experience a Transfrming life in Christ (Rm. 12:1-2) Pray fr Christian witnesses t be Sent t share Christ with the lst (Matt 9:35-38) GRACE (Acrstic methd) As yu pray fr specific needs in peple s lives, pray Gd s GRACE int thers lives. This acrstic allws fr strategic prayer t be directed tward the actual needs that are being expressed. It is als flexible enugh t fit any prayer gathering r situatin. One way t apply this mdel is t have thse giving specific requests stand and encurage thers t lay hands n thse requesting pray as they are directed t pray thrugh the acrstic. G Gd s Nature Ask, Wh is Gd in light f this prayer request. Pray accrding t Gd s character and His purpses fr the specific prayer requests that are given (e.g., Gd is Svereign Gd and sustainer in this prayer need, see Isaiah 40) R Redemptive Purpses Encurage participants t pray tward Gd s redemptive wrk in the specific prayer needs. Pray fr Gd t wrk thrugh repentance, renewal, t bring salvatin, healing r t restre relatinships as He answers prayer in the each prayer need (see Heb. 7:25; Matt 6:10-11).

9 A Asking fr Specific Results Read Matthew 7:7-11 and encurage intercessrs t begin this time f asking with a time t seek the Lrd s favr as they pray. Encurage them t take each specific request t the Lrd. Ask intercessrs t pray fr individuals and needs by name. Utilize and pray thrugh, read r reference varius scripture texts that match the specific prayer need. C Cnfidence Exhrt believers t pray in belief with bldness and faith that Gd hears and answers accrding t His lve, mercy and grace (Heb 10:19; 4:16). Acknwledge cnfidence in His Divine purpses and ways and ask the Father t grant thse being prayed fr the strength and ability t turn the need ver t the Lrd (see Psalm 37:3-6). Pray with cnfidence that Gd is the authr f prayer and desires t wrk in and thrugh the prayers f His peple (see Jhn 15:16; Jhn 17). E Exaltatin f Jesus Challenge believers t lift high the name f Jesus wh is eternally interceding fr His fllwers (Heb 7:25). Pray that Jesus will be seen and the kingdm advanced as He answers these prayers in His time and ways (Matt. 5:16). Give thanks t Jesus that He hears ur prayers and is sensitive t ur every need (Heb 4:14-16). Practical Tips fr Leading Grup Prayer Sessins The fllwing ideas may prve helpful as yu lead thers in directed prayer times: Remember that flexibility and intentinality is the name f the game as yu seek t ffer an envirnment that encurages specific and spntaneus prayer. Try t keep yur prayer time as strategic as pssible. Keep the grups fcused n Biblical prayer that is ffers pprtunity fr intercessin that is centered n persnal, cngregatinal and kingdm needs. Try t break up the way r rder in which yu lead the prayer time each week t ffer sme variety. Try t have prayer lists, cards, etc. prepared fr the grup(s) t help fcus their prayer effrts. Keep the prayer time fcused n the Great Cmmissin while praying fr peple and their spiritual needs. Try different methds f prayer. Encurage ppcrn prayers when participants use shrt sentence prayers. Try ging thrugh the alphabet praying scriptural prmises fr varius requests. When children are present be sensitive t their attentin limitatins and the length f the prayer time. Encurage Bible-based praying using suggested scriptures and ther Bible passages. As yu direct the grup(s) in prayer, be sensitive t the directin Gd is leading in prayer. Feel free t interject different r spntaneus prayer prmpts as the Lrd directs. Make sure everyne has the pprtunity t pray but be sensitive t thse wh d nt feel cmfrtable praying ut lud. Make sure yu begin and end n time while being sensitive t the Spirits wrk in the grup(s) during the prayer time. Be intentinal as yu direct the prayer time. Yu are leading the prayer time be prepared and direct the time as Gd leads. Remind participants n ccasin that the purpse f prayer is t meet and relate with the Father. It is all abut relatinship nt the activity f prayer. As Oswald Chambers nce said, The purpse f prayer is t get a hld f Gd, nt f the answer. Spend little time gathering requests and much time praying.

10 Cnclusin The need f the hur is fr Gd s peple t return t Him in persnal hliness with a passinate desire t relate t him thrugh fervent unceasing prayer tward the Great Cmmissin. Believers, small grups and whle cngregatins can certainly jin Christ in His wrk thrugh strategic, Bible-based prayer that is cmprehensive and geared tward Gd s purpses and missin. As Pastr s and prayer leaders intentinally lead thers tward united and Gd-centered prayer patterns, there is n limit as what Gd can d t advance His Kingdm in this wrld. Jeremiah 33:3 reminds us f Gd s prmise t us as we return t Him in united prayer: Call t me and I will answer yu and will tell yu great and mighty things f which yu d nt knw (NASB) Please use this bklet t lead thers t unite in strategic, cmprehensive prayer effrts that are Biblebased and sensitive t the immediate needs f the times we live in. This acrstic was intrduced by HOPE ministries. Suggested specific prayer prtins have been smewhat adapted and/r expanded here. Fr a lk at Hpe ministries versin see Alvin J. Vandergriend, Make Yur Hme A Light-Huse (Grand Rapids: HOPE Ministries, 1999), 31. This acrstic is adapted and taken frm Praying Yur Friends t Christ (Alpharetta, GA: Nrth American Missin Bard, SBC, 1997), Fr mre n this acrstic please see Terry Teykl, Praying Grace, Prayer Pint Press, The specific prayer prmpts relating t this acrstic have been changed and adapted t fit the needs f this bklet.