Q & A
Q & A Discussion: Rick Howerton
Our small group has struggled for a long time over how to handle our closing prayer time. Should we switch to a very brief closing prayer and simply e-mail or post specific prayer requests to our website?
| Topics: | Intercession, Prayer, Problems, Shyness |
| Filters: | Group Leader, Member, New leader, Prayer groups, Train |
| Purpose: | Worship |
| References: |  |
| Date Added: | February 17, 2009 |
Our small group has struggled for a long time over how to handle our closing prayer time. The big problem is that very few people are willing to pray or voice their requests out loud. Should we switch to a very brief closing prayer and simply e-mail or post specific prayer requests to our website?
I wouldn't recommend that. Thirty minutes or so of face-to-face prayer is essential to a group becoming a Christian community. Prayer is the primary activity that sets Christian small groups apart from all other groups. When small groups cry out to God, miracles occur (Acts 12:5–16), individuals overcome sin addictions (James 5:16), God reveals future leaders (Acts 1:21–26), members of that group are filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly tell others about Jesus (Acts 4:23–31), needs are revealed, and new levels of connection and intimacy are experienced. So a group should never give up praying.
There are ways to create an environment where prayer is more comfortable and will become a vital and exciting experience. Here are a few things that every small-group leader should remember:
- Meaningful connection needs to be established in the group before people will share the most intimate information about themselves, and prayer opens the door to intimacy like nothing else.
- The amount of discussion (even at prayer time) that takes place during the meeting directly relates to the amount of conversation that takes place between meetings. The more that people connect away from the group meeting, the more apt they will be to speak of their needs during prayer time.
- Group members sometimes wonder what is appropriate to bring up at prayer time. To establish what is suitable, start by modeling the kinds of prayer requests you would like to see voiced, and then have your apprentice follow with a prayer request that parallels your own. Once a few people have spoken, others will most likely join in.
- Group members really do want the group to pray for their life situations, but they might not be comfortable voicing them out loud. One way to get people more comfortable with prayer requests is to give everyone a 3x5 card and ask them to write down two requests. Start by saying, "I know all of us have things that we need God to work in. Please write down two things that you need us to pray for."
- Use an icebreaker-type question to get prayer requests. Examples could be: "What's the most stressful situation you're dealing with right now?" "Which one of your children is going through the most difficult challenge this week?" "If you could change a problem you're having in a relationship today, what would that be?"
Group leaders, you are the ones responsible for teaching people to pray aloud. Teach your group members to pray by modeling prayer for them (Luke 11:1–4), asking them to pray sentence prayers, and alerting a group member days before the meeting that you are going to ask him or her to pray. In time, substantial moments of prayer will come.
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Where can I find examples of closing prayer? I love my small group, but feel uncomfortable at the end because I may be asked to close.
the group leader must show also that he is human ,he may even share some of the thing he had struggle with. this makes the group to be able to express them self more freely. also it is said that problem share is half solve, he can encourage them to share their problem/s. the leader should try and establish a one on one relationship and where a burden is share with him/her he shuold encourage the person to share it in the group; emphasis the effecacy of corporate prayer as stated in Galatian 6:2 and james 5:13-16
We often divide into twos for prayer...it makes it easier for some people.
I would recommend to remind the group that praying is just talking to God directly from the heart. Start with short prayers and let the Holy Spirit take over, it's amazing to see how many people open their hearts once they feel the Holy Spirit presence in the group. One more recommendation is to have a class on how to pray, specially the ones we have been learning during the past 3 weeks "Our Father".
Spiritual Formation
Practical ways for small groups to find a better rhythm with God
John Ortberg on Jonah (4 session course)
An excellent story and an excellent teacher make an excellent opportunity for your group to grow spiritually.see more downloads
