The Prayer Ministry
What should a church's prayer ministry look like?
That depends, depending on the church and the people that staff the church.
(and understand that I don't consider myself a prayer warrior. I try to be 'prayer-compliant' but I am not prayer warrior.)
And I don't mean the paid staff. I consider every regular attendee is a part of the staff, if they conduct themselves properly.
photo: churchinteriors.com
How would I conduct a prayer meeting?
My suggestion:
1) Beginning time and Ending time preset.
2) Come when you can, leave when you must.
3) 2 songs by a cell group worship leader.
4) Brief printed guidelines for that meeting and a brief exhortation for the direction of prayer.
5) Prayer begins.
I went to a prayer meeting once where prayer was just tacked on to the end of a regular service.
I felt misled.
Other parameters:
a) Perhaps a couple of led prayers, with a list for suggested prayers, prayer would be self-directed.
b) One side of the prayer room would be for people who want to be left alone when they pray.
Some people want to pray around other people, but not actually pray with people.
We need to respect that. They still add to the prayer meeting. If they choose to cross over, fine.
c) Those on the other side of the room can intermingle with the others,
hearing prayer requests and joining in on the prayers.
d) Along with the prepared prayer list, people can go around, request your copy,
then pen-in their abbreviated prayer requests for home prayer.
d) If any spontaneous prayer request turns into a litany of complaints about another person,
one is free to depart that clutch of people and join someone else.
e) One is allowed to give an unnamed prayer request without flak.
Once, as a teen, while reading a 'Mad Magazine', I saw this entry:
"Sympathy: What one woman gives another woman in exchange for the details."'
There's no need for that.
What do you think of my prayer itinerary?