The Prayer Leader
Part 2 - The leader and what to pray in the meeting
In Part 1 last time, we made the case for prayer in The Church, both individual private prayer, and public group prayer. Prayer must be a regular church activity, and we looked at several things to consider when establishing a meeting.
Now let us consider two other aspects during the prayer time.
The Prayer Leader
When we pray in the Spirit and are led by the Spirit, The Word is our prayer road-map. This leads us to consider the person who leads the group—or is a leader necessary? Our experience is that a leader sets up the room, unlocks the doors, etc. and they help to open the meeting time and close it as well. This task it to keep an eye on the time, so others need not and focus on praying.
A designated prayer leader can tend to dominate the prayer time, or direct the prayers in a certain way, and so they should be aware of this and try to stay involved but out of the way. Be a servant-leader, acting as a facilitator, not a director, which is the work of the Spirit of God.
Neither try to teach others through prayer, nor correct them for praying wrongly (in the leaders opinion!) and certainly do not gossip nor spread rumors as a prayer. If the prayer request information is public knowledge, it may be appropriate, but all should be cautious not to share to the group what should be private.
The Group Praying
Pray for the pastors, elders, teachers, evangelists; the singers, staff, ministry leaders; the sick, the celebrations, the grieving; the members, the lost, the praying. But go beyond “the bless and be with” prayers (God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms, and He has promised to be with us to the end of the age).
Pray with Scriptures for The Church. We’ve written about this many times and include several verses in each newsletter. These passages are God’s promises, His will for His people— and He will accomplish His Word, when we ask Him.
Use these verses as the foundation for your prayer time or theme. They are a beginning point and an ending place for praying. Move as the Spirit leads within this framework—think of them like banks of a flowing river, keeping it from becoming a bog or marsh.
Remember, where even two or three are gathered in the Name, He is there. Take time, often, to talk with Him. Ask with child-like faith, pour out your heart, and strive, toil, labor fervently, mightily day and night to bring The Church to the highest regions of faith and holiness.
The best, the greatest offering is an offering of prayer. —E.M. Bounds
A Hymn For Praying
Speak Lord In The Stillness - Emily May Grimes (1868-1927)
Speak, Lord, in the stillness,
While I wait on Thee;
Hushed my heart to listen,
In expectancy.
Speak, O blessed Master,
In this quiet hour;
Let me see Thy face, Lord,
Feel Thy touch of power.
For the words Thou speak,
They are life indeed;
Living bread from heaven,
Now my spirit feed!
All to Thee is yielded,
I am not my own;
Blissful, glad surrender,
I am Thine alone.
Speak, Thy servant hears,
Be not silent, Lord;
Waits my soul upon Thee
For the quickening word.
Fill me with the knowledge
Of Thy glorious will;
All Thine own good pleasure
In Thy child fulfill.
Amen
Pray For The People Of God From The Word Of God
Here are four passages we are praying from (one passage per day):
Thursday - Ephesians 3:14,15,16
Friday - Ephesians 3:17,18,19
Saturday - Ephesians 6:10-17
Sunday - Ephesians 6:18-20
Will you join me in praying these verses, and ask one person to join you?
Until Monday, grace and peace