. . . Everyone in the Church has become keenly aware of the need for prayer. Not merely more people praying more often, but for prayer that is more strategic; biblical in its character and transformational in its intention. If that is the case, then the role of the congregational prayer leader is more vital than ever.

Whether you are selected or elected, authorized or advocating, take your position or your opportunity seriously. You may be the Holy Spirit’s window through which a fresh wind of reviving prayer will blow. Your work may be the logs and lumber He will ignite into a fresh fire of passionate praying.

Remain faithful. Keep praying the prayers of your heart that seem not yet realized. Never tire of inviting the saints to the place of prayer (Colossians 4:2). And, as our Lord admonished us, keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking. Our work has just begun!

Phil

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.

"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.

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.
 

How Can I Set Up a Prayer Vigil?

I am trying to find a prayer vigil guideline, and I can't seem to find one anywhere. Our church is having a 24-hour prayer vigil with members praying from their homes. The focus will be buying a church building (we are currently renting a warehouse). We are seeking God's will and wisdom in this. This is the first time I've done this, so I am a little lost. I am a fairly structured person, so I would like to have a format to follow. How can I put together an effective guide?
Janie

 The Praying Church
 Principles and Power of Corporate Prayer
 By Sue Curran
 Retail $12.99
 Creation House Press
 © 1987, 2001
 www.CreationHouse.com

When first released, C. Peter Wagner claimed this  was “simply the best book on the subject!” Since then, many new resources have been published but Sue Curran’s work continues to be a source of inspiration and insight.

. . . we can sometimes get too organized.

I’m not against organization per se, just the notion that our four-color brochures, state-of-the-art websites, fully stocked resource centers, newly carpeted prayer rooms, 24/7 prayer meeting schedules are the essence of a successful prayer ministry.

Casting A Vision For Corporate Prayer

Pentecost Prayer Meetings
by Claude V. King

The following testimony comes from the Forward to Andrew Murray’s book The Prayer-Life (1913).

Turning Prayer Meetings Into Adventures

Jesus' Ministry Prayers

Focus:

Praying the reasons Jesus came to earth as a means of interceding for our church, community and country.

Enhancing Prayer for Leaders

Q. Every June and every December our ministry leaders go away and we have a time of impartation from our pastor and usually one or two of our ministry leaders shares with us. In June we usually have an outside speaker. Saturday morning is our early morning prayer time and SundQ & Ray morning before departing for home we gather around our pastor and [his wife] with a prayer of encouragement for them and commitment from us.

Do you have any suggestions on how to enhance this time of leadership prayer? Saturday morning is the time slotted for the longest prayer time, whereas, Sundays are usually 1/2hr. By the time everyone get to the designated room, it's time for breakfast and we leave for our own worship service at our home church. Some usually linger behind, skipping breakfast, most have to eat.

Janie Lucero

Youth Ministry on Your Knees: Mentoring and Mobilizing Young People to Pray   
by Mike Higgs
Pray! Books
Retail Price: $12

“One of the main thrusts of this book,” Mike tells us, “is to help the development of prayer-driven youth ministries as well as prayer-driven youth ministers.” Radical concept, sad to say! Could it be the revival so many are praying for daily, will arise in and then through students and collegians? What will the Church in America look like if tomorrow’s leaders are mentored today to become “a whole new army of praying youth”? (Dick Eastman, Every Home for Christ)

Prayer Leader OnLine Interviews Kipper Tadd and Larry Smith of Perimeter Church in Duluth, Georgia

Q. Please describe your role/position (title, etc) and how you relate to the ministry of prayer at Perimeter Church.

Kipper: I am the Director of Pastoral Care/Prayer/Marriage Ministry

Larry: I serve as the lay leader of the church prayer ministry. I also am an elder at the church.

. . . the ministry of prayer needs advocates!

Most congregations and pastors and church leaders approve of prayer but few take the responsibility to advance the presence and practice of prayer.

Featured Resource

“Empowered”
The Annual Convention of the Church Prayer Leaders Network

Dr. David Jeremiah, pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diego and head of Turning Point Ministries will keynote “Empowered,” the 2005 national convention of the CPLN. Let the blessing of last year’s convention—“Prayer Quake”—continue! It’s time to register for “Empowered,” to be held June 22-25 at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. This year’s convention is cosponsored by CPLN, America’s National Prayer Committee, Prayer Transformation Ministries and Strategic Renewal International. Dozens of nationally known prayer leaders will deliver keynote addresses and workshops.

Prayer Leader Interview
Prayer Leader OnLine interviewed Claude King, author of Come to the Lord’s Table

Q. Claude, what led you to write Come to the Lord’s Table?
In 1989 God used Richard Owen Roberts (a historian of revival) to introduce Southern Baptist prayer leaders to Solemn Assemblies as God’s remedy for corporate repentance. Recognizing the desperate need in our churches and in the nation for revival, they issued a “Call to Prayer and Solemn Assembly” to the Southern Baptist Convention churches.

Turning Prayer Meetings into Prayer Adventures

An Ephesians Prayer Meeting
One of the most powerful types of prayer that you can practice is to pray Scriptures. The church that teaches its people to pray God’s Word will never be at a loss for Kingdom pray-ers!
An excellent change of pace for a prayer meeting is to pray through a book of the Bible.

Casting a Vision for Corporate Prayer

Is your congregation’s prayer list filled exclusively with names of saints who are sick or facing surgery? If so, this could be the main reason so many of your members have never learned how to pray in biblical proportion! Consider this simple change; it might turn a business-as-usual prayer meeting into a prayer adventure.

Q/R - Question & Reply

Q - Dear Phil,
Recently God has impressed upon my heart the need to call His people together across denominations in our community to reach the city for Christ. I wanted to ask you to please pray that God will give me the wisdom to facilitate this meeting. I am simply a lay leader in the community with a burden for improved unity and for prayer driven evangelism. I have attended your prayer conferences held in our city in the past and have really been blessed by your wisdom in facilitating Holy Spirit led prayer times. I have facilitated prayer times many times before, but never anything of this nature.

Could you give me an example of what you might suggest for the first meeting. I really want to keep it as simple as possible. Most of the pastors of the community are very supportive of this and are planning to be there. Do you recommend the separation into groups of 3-4 people at the first meeting?

I would really appreciate your input and prayer for our community to be united around the truth of Jesus Christ for His purposes.

Thank you,
Lori

Incense Rising

An e-magazine for intercessors $10 ($7 for CPLN members)

Incense Rising is a monthly email publication just for individuals who want to grow deeper in intercessory prayer, who want to move it from a discipline to a delight. Its articles, prayer guides, and encouragements from fellow intercessors will fuel your passion for prayer.

Casting a Vision for Corporate Prayer

Every Monday morning I receive an e-message from Pastor Rande Smith of the Community Church of Rolling Meadows. In a brief, two or three paragraph fashion, he reviews the worship experiences and fellowship events of the previous day. He concludes by asking the entire congregation to focus prayers during the week on an individual or family.