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Some thoughts on facilitating a prayer session

‘I tell you the truth that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them.’ (Mat.18:19)

Introduction

This is a practical tool for engaging, as a group, in ‘petitionary prayer’ (asking) and ‘intercessory prayer’ (standing in the gap between God and the issue).

1.       As well as group members bringing items for prayer for their Muslim friends, they could bring the names of prominent people in local mosques (e.g. Imam, Committee Chair, influencers) and pray for them.

 2.       You might like to ask people for prayer issues before the session (rather than at the session).  We can then pray over the topics and use our imagination and alternate between styles of prayer (see below). We can  break down the session into sections and ring the changes, to help the momentum and keep everyone engaged.

 3.       The content of Mahabba groups varies; most groups include “sharing”, “the month’s vlog”, “discussion”, “news updates”, “planning” of local action, and “prayer”. When you know how much time you are allotting to prayer, simply split it broadly into three sections, as follows:

 UPWARD (Worship) – Begin the session with an upward focus of worship. Encourage the group to lift their eyes up and look at King Jesus. If there is no guitarist, use a CD or an iphone (via a blue-tooth mobile speaker). An opening song needs to declare Jesus’ authority and the character of God. This helps focus the group away from the ‘problems’ we’re about to pray over and towards the possibilities of God’s power.

This helps the group to enter His courts with praise (Ps.100:4) and to prepare to bring petitions with ‘thankfulness (Phils.4:6). The Revelation shows worship as part of ‘spiritual warfare’ as we blend worship (harp) and prayer (bowl) in ‘harp and bowl’ ministry. (see Rev:56-10)

INWARD (Listen) – Combining ‘sung intercession’ with ‘verbal intercession’ is powerful as we flow in and out of worship and prayer. It helps change the pace; release faith; lift the atmosphere; and helps awareness of God’s presence. After the ‘upward’ focus, we move to an ‘inward’ focus where we pause (enjoy interspersed moments of silent pause). Help the group reflect and listen out for what God might be saying about the issues. The worship phase helps us become more receptive to as we listen for the still small voice of God through a scripture, an impression, mental picture, or a word of prophecy.

This could be a call to fresh surrender, an invitation to confession and repentance, or a stirring up of renewed vision or passion, or simply tarrying in His presence, which He wants you to enjoy. This section lends itself to some ‘body-ministry’ – allowing people to pray for one another and speak God’s blessing.

OUTWARD (Prayer) – After the inward direction, it’s important to move the focus ‘outward’. This may be a natural response to what has just been revealed by the Holy Spirit during the flow of worship and word. It’s also good to prepare this section beforehand. Help the group to think through some creative ways to pray for external issues within the contacts of the group or in your local community.

Most of our preparation praying is best done before the gathering, which is when the Lord can draw your attention to the issues he may already be moving on or has for the group to pray into when you come together. These items are then available to you for use as/when and if needed in whole or in part, during the prayer session itself. This allows you to remain open and sensitive to anything the Holy Spirit might want to focus on in the gathering.    

               Click here for some helpful models and ideas for use in the “outward” aspect of praying.