IDEAS THAT WORK
Leading the church to pray
Thomas D. Kinnan
October 1, 1986
LEADING THE CHURCH TO PRAY
Thomas D. Kinnan
"What can I do to mobilize prayer in my church?"
This question grew stronger and more insistent for me a few years ago. It wasn't that I or the congregation needed to be convinced of prayer's value. We had all heard-I had often preached-how essential prayer is to Christian living. But we rarely prayed in any powerful, consistent, or satisfying way.
What we needed was a specific way to actually begin praying, both individually and as a church. We hungered for a hands-on approach that would help make prayer a natural part of our church life.
I told my people, "My dream for this church is to see you praying for one another after every service, asking me to pray for you, even praying for one another over the phone if necessary."
Our dream eventually crystallized in a program we developed called PRAYER (People Responsive and Yielded Experiencing Results). Since its inception more than three years ago, this simple approach has strengthened the people and ministries of the church.
How does it work?
Every three months, I announce that in a few weeks people will have the opportunity to become more involved in prayer through one or more of the following:
Prayer Partners-Two people who commit to pray with and for one another.
Prayer Corps-These individuals pray daily for the ministries and needs of the church. Each member of the Corps also prays silently during each service-for guests, for people who appear troubled, for those singing or playing special music, for the preacher.
Prayer Chain-People's emergency needs are sent through a network of those who have committed themselves to pray immediately.
Prayer Vigil-Every weekend, from 8 P.M. Saturday until 8 A.M. Sunday, people pray during a particular ...
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