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A Little TLC Goes a Long Way |
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Caring for your people of prayer requires thought and planning. Paul Covert shares the following ways that Central Christian Church has used to bless their intercessors:
Create Awareness
To create awareness and distribute prayer news, we began a prayer
newsletter. Each edition profiles a different prayer warrior. We tell
their stories carefully so as not to make them bigger than life.
Attributing value to prayer warriors in this way acknowledges their
work as a real ministry, builds confidence, and encourages others to
join.
Value Giftings
Some people can pray a list, and some can’t. Some like to use the
computer, and others don’t. Developing multiple ways for your
intercessors to get in the game shows you understand their
individuality.
- A computer-based web prayer team allows cyber-savvy pray-ers to
use even spare minutes to pray for the needs of the body by logging
onto a password-protected site. The technology should be user-friendly
so that almost anyone can do it.
- List pray-ers who need to start small can take a one-hour slot
once a week (or month) to pray solely for the needs of staff and
missionaries. We ask our staff members and missionaries for three
ministry requests, two personal requests, and one praise item monthly
and distribute them to our UP Team (Uninterrupted Prayer). Our goal is
to have volunteers cover time slots 24/7.
- A prayer partner team is for people who love to pray with others
face-to-face as they come forward for ministry after the services.
Intercessors with gifts of mercy and discernment find this an ideal
place to “plug in.”
- Develop a service intercession team. This works for people who
would rather pray “behind the scenes.” We have a team for each worship
service. They pray for a theme (the nation, salvation, healing, family
matters, or missions) and the people attending the service. You could
also have the intercessors pray through the key points of the sermon.
Recall the Answers
Offer an occasional forum for sharing testimonies. Telling the prayer
stories of your church helps legitimize intercessors and the prayer
ministry. It builds faith, and helps everyone focus on God and the
importance of prayer. Newcomers to your team will be encouraged as they
share in answers that occurred before they joined.
Invest in Your Leadership Team
Work toward a budget that will allow your prayer leadership team to
visit nationally known churches of prayer. Our first trip was to the
Brooklyn Tabernacle. We arrived in time to attend church on Sunday
morning. Tuesday evening we attended the Brooklyn Tabernacle’s prayer
service. Our leaders have never been the same. It cost a bundle, but
our leaders “get it” now. They are unified and ready for action.
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March 2006