|
|
PRAYER FOR YOUR CHURCH
|
Finances
Lord, I lift up our church finances. May we sow generously into our church without reluctance or compulsion. Make all grace abound so we have all we need for every good work You’ve assigned us. Make us rich in ways that result in generosity on our part so You will be praised. Keep reminding us of your promise to throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out blessing on all who bring the whole tithe into Your house. (2 Cor. 9:6-11; Mal. 3:10)
|
|
Home  September 2007 Setting Up a Community Prayer Station
|
Setting Up a Community Prayer Station |
|
|
|
|
Prayer stations are a great way to lead church members "out of their seats
into the streets" of the community. Though simple, often a card table and
sign will do, several strategic questions must be prayed and thought through
before stepping into a community prayer station adventure.
Purpose: It is vital that you first
determine the purpose of this foray into the community. Is it merely to make
the church's presence more visible? Is the prayer station a stand-alone
activity or is it part of another event, such as a block party or festival in
the park?
Prayers: What type of praying will
you offer? Will you merely take written prayer requests that will be prayed
over by a team from the church, possibly after the event? Will the team only
respond to the stated request or will they be instructed to ask follow-up
questions? Is it appropriate to ask those who stop questions related to their
relationship to God?
Training: Prayer station team
members must be trained in how to do on-demand, in-the-street, eyes-open
prayer. Stress how important it is not to preach when praying, not to use
theological church-speak that most persons will not understand (in other words,
use an office coffee break conversational tone and terminology), and remind
them how totally different this is from our typical down-the-list or
around-the-circle praying inside the church building.
Lemonade & Prayer? Offering a
refreshing cup of lemonade allows passers-by to accept your offer and stop for,
at least, a moment to take the drink. The service (lemonade or free balloons or
cup of water, etc.) must be offered unconditionally; they receive the gift
whether they allow you to pray for them or not.
Set-Up: A table is basic equipment.
Consider a canopy covering to shade from the sun. Avoid a fully enclosed tent
as the place to pray; most persons will allow you to pray for them as they
stand by the table with the drink in their hand. Consider having sets of chairs
off to the sides so that several can be accommodated at once and a more private
(but not hidden) experience can be offered.
Responsibilities: Identify which
team members are pray-ers, which distribute lemonade, who refills containers,
and who handles free literature (if you make some available). Instruct team
members not to congregate together, especially if traffic is light.
--Phil Miglioratti
|
|
|