HOW TO LEAD PRAYER

Group prayer was a characteristic of the early Christians. We read in Acts 12:12 that Peter went to the house of Mary where many were gathered for prayer. Remember that the purpose of prayer time is to communicate with God. It should never be viewed as a “chore” or as a time to “preach” to one another. The Chaplain should take a role in ensuring brothers participate in prayer.

In order to foster a spiritual journey for FarmHouse members, Chaplains may find it beneficial to use the technique of conversational prayer. During a time of conversational prayer, the group members talk to God the same way they would talk to a friend who is in the room with them. Members should use everyday conversational language. Encourage the group (especially a group unfamiliar with group prayer) to feel free to pray sentence prayers, expressing only a brief thought in six words or so. They don't have to pray long, elaborate prayers. Everyone is free to pray, or not to pray, as the Spirit directs. Don't be concerned about silence—allow God to speak to you and the other individuals in the group during times of silence. Several different ways of leading conversational prayer are discussed below. You could choose one of these methods to guide the prayer time or several to provide variety.

(1) Leader-introduced topics.

Introduce a prayer topic or request, one at a time. The group will then pray about this topic or request. When finished, the leader will introduce another topic or request. Both the number and types of topics introduced may vary. It is always helpful to designate a specific person to close each time. This helps insure that the prayer time will not bog down when everyone has had the opportunity to pray if they so desire. Some possible topics for prayer:

Thanksgiving. Thank God for: His love, His forgiveness, the beautiful day, ways He is working in different lives, etc.

Thank God for something that has happened in your life in the past 24 hours.

Please help … “(yourself or someone else).”

Thank God for how He will meet those desires and requests.

(2) Shared prayer requests.

Allow the group to share prayer requests.

As a prayer request is offered, you could ask another member to be responsible to pray for that request during the prayer time. This ensures that each person's request will be prayed for by at least one other person.

You might want to have group members record on a sheet of paper each request as it is given. They could then refer to the list during the group prayer time as well as throughout the week as a reminder to continue to pray for one another.

You could allow group members to volunteer to pray for requests without assigning them or writing them down. The group would then rely on their memories during the prayer time.

You may wish to pray for each request as soon as it is given, before the next request is shared.

(3) Pray through Scripture.

This method allows the group to use one or more passages of Scripture as a prayer guide. You can choose any passage that you feel will be appropriate. Here are some examples:

Choose a Psalm of praise, such as Psalm 103, Psalm 145 or Psalm 150.

Teach the group to pray using the following procedure:

The first person reads a phrase or an entire verse aloud, pausing to pray a simple prayer as inspired by the Scripture and led by the Lord.

Other members of the group join in audibly or silently agree.

The next person reads a different verse, pausing to pray aloud as he is impressed by the Lord.

Continue the same way around the group.

(4) Use the “ACTS” Acrostic.

You can simply describe the format below, or you could also explore the concept at length through one or more Bible studies on each word. The format goes like this:

Adoration: Worshipping and praising God, exalting Him in your heart and your mind and with your words. Some ideas:

Praise and Pray through a Psalm

Sing

Use a list of God's attributes to praise Him for who He is

Take time to adore God, praising Him for His attributes such as His loving kindness, His holiness, His compassion, His majesty, etc.

Confession : Agreeing with God concerning any sins He brings to mind in order to restore fellowship with Him. (Note: Always pray silently during personal confession.) Confession can follow the following steps:

Review 1 John 1:5–9.

As you spend time adoring God, He will bring to mind what you need to confess.

Allow time (let God speak to each person about any unconfessed sin).

Thanksgiving: Giving thanks to God for who He is, what He has done, what He will ontinue to do in your life and what He is doing in the ministry; a prayer expressing gratitude. Look at verses such as 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Ephesians 5:20, Psalm 108:3, Psalm 50:23. Then, spend time in thanksgiving.

Supplication: Imploring God by means of a petition or an entreaty. Read Philippians 4:6–7; Psalm 116:1–2. Lead the group in supplication by praying aloud.

With ACTS, Be creative! The above is not a formula or something set in concrete. You can switch the elements around, eliminate some of them or do something completely different. ACTS is a place to start and to spur ideas. Prayer should never be boring or monotonous—try to make it a fun time where those who come leave feeling refreshed and renewed. Use scripture often during the prayer meeting.

(5) Use the “PRAY” acrostic.

This may be developed in the same way as ACTS.

Praise.

Repent.

Ask for someone else.

Your own needs.

(6) Pray for the fulfillment of the Great Commission, using Scripture.

Win people to Christ through prayer.

Pray that God will prepare individuals' hearts to understand and respond to the gospel (John 6:44).

Pray that God will motivate believers to share the gospel with the unbelievers (Matthew 9:37–38; Colossians 4:3).

Recognize that Satan has blinded and captivated the unbeliever, and acknowledge (claim) Christ's victory over him (Ephesians 6:12, 2 Corinthians 4:3–4, 2 Timothy 2:25–26; John 3:8).

(7) Build people in Christ through prayer.

Thank God for them (Philippians 1:3).

Pray for deliverance from evil (unprincipled) companions (2 Thessalonians 3:2).

Pray that they will walk worthy of the Lord (Colossians 1:10).

Pray for wisdom and revelation in knowledge of Christ (Ephesians 1:17).

Pray for them to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner person (Ephesians 3:16).

Pray for their unity in the Spirit with other believers (John 17:23).

Pray that their love may abound and that they may approve the things that are excellent (Philippians 1:9,10).

Pray for boldness and opportunities to present the gospel to others (Colossians 4:3, Ephesians 6:19,20).

Pray that they may be completely mature and be fully assured in all the will of God (Colossians 4:12)

(8) Use hymns.

Sing a hymn prayerfully, and afterwards, use the words of the hymn to guide the prayer time.

(9) Use the attributes of God.

Select one or more attributes of God, and spend the time meditating on those attributes and praising

Him for His attributes. Share answers to prayer and spend the time thanking God for the answers and His faithfulness.