Recently at a YOU Lead women’s leadership training, we had a panel answering questions submitted by attendees. Several past and upcoming posts address those and try to help answer them. 

Today’s question is: What are some practical, non-threatening ways to help women overcome fear of praying for and about others in small groups? (also see the 5 part series of blog posts on prayer)

For women who are new believers, or new to small Bible study or prayer groups, praying out loud can be frightening. Some may hear you or others pray and think they have to know certain words or pray specific ways to talk to God. Teaching women about prayer is a good start, but then how do we get them to feel free to pray?

 1.       Let them know ahead of time, no one will be forced to pray.

2.       When you pray, try using simple language.

3.       Remember, sometimes the best prayers are short!

4.       Try encouraging one word responses to prayer. For instance, open the prayer, then ask women in the group to just speak one word that describes how they love God, or give their favorite name/description for God.

5.       When sharing several requests, ask who in the group might pray just for Susan’s request. Who else will pray for the VBS that begins tomorrow?

6.       Lead a directed prayer time: begin with sharing names of adoration for God, move them to confession, ask what they are thankful for, pray for specific needs on each heart (each time you being with short prayer thoughts).

 What other thoughts do you have about getting women to pray in groups?

 Some great prayer resources:

Transformed Lives: Taking women’s Ministry to the Next Level, compiled by Chris Adams (Some of the information above was taken from this resource)
He Speaks to Me, Priscilla Shirer
Discerning God’s Voice, Priscilla Shirer
Oh, God, Please, Leighann McCoy
Whispers of Hope, Beth Moore
Lord, Teach Me to Pray, Kay Arthur
Disciples PrayerLife, Hunt & Walker
Various Studies on Prayer by Jennifer Kennedy Dean
In God’s Presence, T. W. Hunt
The Prayer of Jesus, Ken Hemphill
Follow Me: Lessons for Becoming a Prayerwalker, Randy Sprinkle

 Recently at a YOU Lead women’s leadership training, we had a panel answering questions submitted by attendees. Several past and upcoming posts address those and try to help answer them. This is the first in a series of 5 posts on this subject. Be sure to scroll down below this post to scroll down and read parts 1-4 first!

Today’s question is: What does the “prayer group” look like in your church? How many are in the group. How often do they meet? What is the structure of a prayer meeting?
 

To include a short 10 minute prayer time in any group of women try these things:

 · 10 words or less-each person must only use this many words to share the request. Remember, we want to spend more time PRAYING than TALKING ABOUT PRAYING!

· Immediate family and friends only-have them focus on just a few rather than a great uncle three times removed. Not that he doesn’t need prayer, but just to keep this time short!

· Physical and spiritual needs-either personal or immediate family

· Ask specific ones to pray for each need-when time is short ask specific ones to pray for one of the requests.

You might also try using prayer forms so they fill it in (or they can come with prayer request already written when they arrive) and then either each person can draw one out to pray for till you meet again, or one person can email the list out. This is what my Sunday morning women’s small group does. We are there primarily for Bible study, but because prayer and fellowship is also important, we do try to incorporate those elements as well. Each week one person takes the list home and emails it to all our members. We also have a facebook page where we can update during the week and only our class has access to that page and those requests to keep it confidential to our group.

Other Ideas:

· Open with a devotional on prayer

· Claim promises of God

· Sing prayer songs

· Read current community papers (or national) and pray for needs you see

· Use sentence prayers as you focus on specific topics

I do hope this series has been helpful as you encourage women to pray and as you establish prayer groups to fall before His throne! Please share your insights and ideas about prayer groups in the comments box. We'd love to hear from you.

Some great prayer resources:

Transformed Lives: Taking women’s Ministry to the Next Level, compiled by Chris Adams (Some of the information above was taken from this resource)
He Speaks to Me, Priscilla Shirer
Discerning God’s Voice, Priscilla Shirer
Oh, God, Please, Leighann McCoy
Whispers of Hope, Beth Moore
Lord, Teach Me to Pray, Kay Arthur
Disciples PrayerLife, Hunt & Walker
Various Studies on Prayer by Jennifer Kennedy Dean
In God’s Presence, T. W. Hunt
The Prayer of Jesus, Ken Hemphill
Follow Me: Lessons for Becoming a Prayerwalker, Randy Sprinkle

 Recently at a YOU Lead women’s leadership training, we had a panel answering questions submitted by attendees. Several past and upcoming posts address those and try to help answer them. This is the first in a series of 5 posts on this subject. Be sure to scroll down below this post to read parts 1-3 first!

Today’s question is: What does the “prayer group” look like in your church? How many are in the group. How often do they meet? What is the structure of a prayer meeting?
 

 Here is a possible format to use as you begin your prayer groups, but keep this flexible and ask God how He wants you to direct this time so that it doesn’t become stale and ineffective:

 o Talking (5-10 minutes)-catching up with each other and greeting new attendees

o Getting focused (5-10 minutes)-leading women to begin quieting down by reading Scripture praising God in song, sharing testimony of answered prayer, having them conduct a heart evaluation

o Praising God and confession (10-15 minutes)

o Petition and intercession (10-15 minutes)

o Responding to God after prayer time (10-15 minutes) Talk about what the group sensed, ask: How should we respond? And follow up if Holy Spirit laid a burden on someone’s heart?

 Other helpful guidelines for your prayer time include these:

 · If you have received an insight, immediately voice it as sometimes the Holy Spirit uses one or more minds to bring understanding and reveal His will.

· If someone is burdened during your prayer time with the spirit of prayer of supplication for someone, allow the person to pour out heart to God.

· Should someone expresses a personal burden, surround that person and encourage her by praying immediately.

· If someone is broken by the awareness of sin, allow her to pray unless names are being used and it’s not appropriate, then gently stop the prayer.

· If someone receives assurance, peace or confirmation, praise God!

 In sharing prayer requests, these questions will help guide the women…have them ask: Is it true? Is it confidential? Is it kind? Is it necessary? This will help direct your prayer time and keep it from turning into a gossip session!

Watch for upcoming blog posts in the prayer series. Next time we will conclude this post with some ideas of other ways to encourage women to pray.

Some great prayer resources:

Transformed Lives: Taking women’s Ministry to the Next Level, compiled by Chris Adams (Some of the information above was taken from this resource)
He Speaks to Me, Priscilla Shirer
Discerning God’s Voice, Priscilla Shirer
Oh, God, Please, Leighann McCoy
Whispers of Hope, Beth Moore
Lord, Teach Me to Pray, Kay Arthur
Disciples PrayerLife, Hunt & Walker
Various Studies on Prayer by Jennifer Kennedy Dean
In God’s Presence, T. W. Hunt
The Prayer of Jesus, Ken Hemphill
Follow Me: Lessons for Becoming a Prayerwalker, Randy Sprinkle

Recently at a YOU Lead women’s leadership training, we had a panel answering questions submitted by attendees. Several past and upcoming posts address those and try to help answer them.  This is the third in a series of 5 posts on this subject. Scroll down and read posts one and two first here.

Today’s question is: What does the “prayer group” look like in your church? How many are in the group. How often do they meet? What is the structure of a prayer meeting?

This is the third in a series of 5 posts on this subject. Be sure to scroll down and read parts 1 and 2 first.

With the foundations of prayer behind us, how do we start prayer groups?  Very simply, first of all guess what?  PRAY!  I know, that’s a given, but essential in discovering how God wants you to begin forming groups.

Next, what are the most compelling and prevalent needs of women in your church and community? As you begin to compile a list, ask God which you should begin to pray about and if there is a prayer group to start to pray for these needs.  Here is a list of possible prayer groups that might form:

·    Early prayer groups-women arrive before Bible study, events, and other activities to pray about that activity asking God’s Holy Spirit to teach, move and minister through it.  OR this could just be a prayer opportunity that you add on before any ongoing ministries you provide for women. That way they don’t have to plan another day and time to meet for prayer, but they come early to specifically pray as a group.

·    Prayer chains-when requested and with permission to share needs, this can be by email, facebook page, twitter, phone, text or word of mouth. Keeping the request moving and praying as you do.

·    Prayer partners-assigning two women to pray for one another for a week, a month, or any period of time you choose. This might even include a specific time they meet to pray together for one another.

·    Bountiful blessings-this group meets for a specific short-term purpose such as major trials or crises. They might meet weekly for 4-6  weeks  (Read prayer letter p. 26 Transformed Lives) the person being prayed for provides a verse of scripture to claim that week as well as requests and praises for next week. This can be handed out to those praying that week as the women pray “ bountiful blessings” for that person in need.

·    Mom’s prayer group-this can be specific for preschool age or another age of children, special needs children, by schools attended (as Moms in Touch International does), unsaved children, prodigal children

·    Lost sheep group-specifically praying for the lost…family, friends, co-workers, community, world

·    Special events group-this is a part of the event planning team and their responsibility is to bathe each aspect of the event in prayer prior to, during and even as a follow up to decisions made during the event.  Here are some of the things you’d want to do: Prayer walk through each room utilized for event; pray for speakers and worship leaders; pray for attendees; pray for salvation of the lost who might attend


Watch for upcoming blog posts in the prayer series. Next time we will look at a suggested format (schedule) for a prayer group and other ideas for prayer groups.
 

Some great prayer resources:

Transformed Lives: Taking women’s Ministry to the Next Level, compiled by Chris Adams (Some
of the information above was taken from this resource)
He Speaks to Me, Priscilla Shirer
Discerning God’s Voice, Priscilla Shirer
Oh, God, Please, Leighann McCoy
Whispers of Hope, Beth Moore
Lord, Teach Me to Pray, Kay Arthur
Disciples PrayerLife, Hunt & Walker
Various Studies on Prayer by Jennifer Kennedy Dean
In God’s Presence, T. W. Hunt
The Prayer of Jesus, Ken Hemphill
Follow Me: Lessons for Becoming a Prayerwalker, Randy Sprinkle

Recently at a YOU Lead women’s leadership training,  we had a panel answering questions submitted by attendees. Several past and upcoming posts address those and try to help answer them.

Today’s question is: What does the “prayer group” look like in your church? How many are in the group. How often do they meet? What is the structure of a prayer meeting?

This is the second in a series of 5 posts on this subject. Be sure to read part 1 first.

To move forward let’s address this issue: 

What Prayer Will Do for Your Group:
    Refocuses perspective from self to Him
    Quiets and calms the heart and sprit
    Transfers burdens from the person to God
    Upholds others who need our prayers
    Empowers believers to serve in His power believing His direction
    Sensitizes group to God’s will and work

Again, addressing foundational aspects of prayer groups before actually talking about how to set them up, let’s understand knowing some universal things to pray for:

    God wants us to grow spiritually (Heb. 13: 20–21)
    God desires that we encourage each other (Heb. 10:19–25)
    God longs to see souls added to His kingdom (Matt. 28:18–20)

Here are some things that the Holy Spirit will do when we pray:
    Create unity
    Create understanding and insights through Scripture
    Place burdens on church members’ hearts
    Offer peace, confirmation, assurance of heart (Rom. 8:16)

Watch for upcoming blog posts in the prayer series. Next time we will get into the nitty gritty of setting up prayer groups.

Some great prayer resources:

Transformed Lives: Taking women’s Ministry to the Next Level, compiled by Chris Adams (Some
of the information above was taken from this resource)
He Speaks to Me, Priscilla Shirer
Discerning God’s Voice, Priscilla Shirer
Oh, God, Please, Leighann McCoy
Whispers of Hope, Beth Moore
Lord, Teach Me to Pray, Kay Arthur
Disciples PrayerLife, Hunt & Walker
Various Studies on Prayer by Jennifer Kennedy Dean
In God’s Presence, T. W. Hunt
The Prayer of Jesus, Ken Hemphill
Follow Me: Lessons for Becoming a Prayerwalker, Randy Sprinkle