When we gather for prayer we can enjoy the experience more deeply and sense greater participation by following the ABC’s of effective participation.

Audible
To experience agreement, we need to be able to hear one another. Those with a soft voice will need to work harder to speak up. I like to kneel in prayer meetings. If I am not careful, my prayers are only heard by the Lord and the seat cushion. Effective prayer leaders are aware of this challenge and are free to remind participants of the need to speak up for the sake of mutual benefit to all.    

Brief
Nothing tends to kill the flow of a prayer time quicker than long drawn-out, scattered prayers. There are times you want to ask, “Does your train of thought have a caboose?”
I enjoyed praying with a seasoned saint, who is one of my heroes. Well into his 80s, he still attends several prayer meetings a week. Unfortunately, he tends to pray very long prayers during which many people lose their concentration. Some doze off.

I have learned to sit next to him. This helps increase his awareness. He knows that if he goes longer than is palatable, I will place my hand on his shoulder. If he keeps going, I will pat him on the back. He gets the hint and gives others an opportunity to pray.

This must seem horribly rude or aggressive. However, the goal of the prayer meeting is God’s glory and mutual edification. “Let all things be done for edification” (1 Corinthians 14:26). Long-winded folks can really hinder this.   

Clear
Again, this is a reminder that people can pray for one thing at a time, not the whole truckload at once. Continuity works when we stay on target with specific, direct prayers. An effective prayer leader can direct this by encouraging people to be specific during certain seasons of prayer.

So the prayer time can flow with agreement as we complement each other’s prayers. I often give the reminder, “Pray loud enough so we can hear, and short enough that we can stay awake.”

--Daniel Henderson