Recently at a YOU Lead women’s leadership training, we had a panel answering questions submitted by attendees. Several past and upcoming posts address those and try to help answer them. This is the third in a series of 5 posts on this subject. Scroll down and read posts one and two first here.
Today’s question is: What does the “prayer group” look like in your church? How many are in the group. How often do they meet? What is the structure of a prayer meeting?
This is the third in a series of 5 posts on this subject. Be sure to scroll down and read parts 1 and 2 first.
With the foundations of prayer behind us, how do we start prayer groups? Very simply, first of all guess what? PRAY! I know, that’s a given, but essential in discovering how God wants you to begin forming groups.
Next, what are the most compelling and prevalent needs of women in your church and community? As you begin to compile a list, ask God which you should begin to pray about and if there is a prayer group to start to pray for these needs. Here is a list of possible prayer groups that might form:
· Early prayer groups-women arrive before Bible study, events, and other activities to pray about that activity asking God’s Holy Spirit to teach, move and minister through it. OR this could just be a prayer opportunity that you add on before any ongoing ministries you provide for women. That way they don’t have to plan another day and time to meet for prayer, but they come early to specifically pray as a group.
· Prayer chains-when requested and with permission to share needs, this can be by email, facebook page, twitter, phone, text or word of mouth. Keeping the request moving and praying as you do.
· Prayer partners-assigning two women to pray for one another for a week, a month, or any period of time you choose. This might even include a specific time they meet to pray together for one another.
· Bountiful blessings-this group meets for a specific short-term purpose such as major trials or crises. They might meet weekly for 4-6 weeks (Read prayer letter p. 26 Transformed Lives) the person being prayed for provides a verse of scripture to claim that week as well as requests and praises for next week. This can be handed out to those praying that week as the women pray “ bountiful blessings” for that person in need.
· Mom’s prayer group-this can be specific for preschool age or another age of children, special needs children, by schools attended (as Moms in Touch International does), unsaved children, prodigal children
· Lost sheep group-specifically praying for the lost…family, friends, co-workers, community, world
· Special events group-this is a part of the event planning team and their responsibility is to bathe each aspect of the event in prayer prior to, during and even as a follow up to decisions made during the event. Here are some of the things you’d want to do: Prayer walk through each room utilized for event; pray for speakers and worship leaders; pray for attendees; pray for salvation of the lost who might attend
Watch for upcoming blog posts in the prayer series. Next time we will look at a suggested format (schedule) for a prayer group and other ideas for prayer groups.
Some great prayer resources:
Transformed Lives: Taking women’s Ministry to the Next Level, compiled by Chris Adams (Some
of the information above was taken from this resource)
He Speaks to Me, Priscilla Shirer
Discerning God’s Voice, Priscilla Shirer
Oh, God, Please, Leighann McCoy
Whispers of Hope, Beth Moore
Lord, Teach Me to Pray, Kay Arthur
Disciples PrayerLife, Hunt & Walker
Various Studies on Prayer by Jennifer Kennedy Dean
In God’s Presence, T. W. Hunt
The Prayer of Jesus, Ken Hemphill
Follow Me: Lessons for Becoming a Prayerwalker, Randy Sprinkle
