What are the advantages of prayer in homegroups?
It brings us closer together
It releases God’s power
It brings us closer to God
James 4:2: `You do not have, because you do not ask God!`
What about format for prayer in small groups?
All together? (Then restrict the length of individual contributions by asking everyone clearly to make it only one sentence long?)
In pairs or triplets? With the same personnel each week if possible; and with a notebook to record answers to prayer.
Everyone simultaneously? Can be exciting, or intimidating for some…
Silence can be helpful if it’s positive and prepared for. Sometimes intimacy with God means `come and rest awhile’, and we need to be able to lead people into that.
Lead!…
Start (`Lord, we know you’re here’) and end (`Thank you for hearing us/keep us watchful for the answers’) positively
Give a clear `Amen’ during prayer
Keep an eye on the time
Give clear instructions
Remind of confidentiality regarding what is shared
Model vulnerability and dependence. (Eg, that you too have difficulties – though without it turning into a therapy session; to imply `I have no problems’ is to act as if we’re independent of God)
Maintain balance: of content (personal, local, church, world…); sense of mission as against self-oriented needs; right view of God; no one person to dominate
Delegate
Shirley Lees says God has five answers to prayer: `Yes’, `No’, `Wait’, `I will if you will’, `Mind your own business!’
David Hein says: `Every prayer is answered’, ie pray expectantly but not necessarily expecting to get what we want. (NB the implications of that for keeping a prayer journal in the group)
Be imaginative
Making a pile of pebbles with each person contributing, to remember what God has done for us (compare Joshua 4)
Prayer journey: going round your home with Christ – or walking down our town’s main street with Christ
Prayer walk around your area (`virtual’ or actual)
Use of images, printed or on a laptop
When praying for Alpha, assemble `props’ to focus group’s minds on how the evening goes (eg quiche(!))
The Holy Spirit
We’re in God’s presence, so listen – intuitions we receive here are probably worth listening to!
(Thanks for this guest blog to an anonymous friend!)
