Preparing the Pray-ers
We have scheduled times where women can ask for prayer at every retreat. This gives women a time to respond to what the Lord is doing in their lives, and we also want to support them in prayer for overwhelming personal situations. Sometimes we have prayer circles set up after an evening session where a woman can go to a prayer circle to request prayer. Other times we have had rooms where women are encouraged to go for prayer. We carefully select women who are mature spiritually to be available for prayer. If other churches are joining us, we ask them to have a prayer team available, so that if their women want prayer, they can go to someone familiar if they so desire.
These women are then required to attend a meeting, normally during free time during the retreat, where we review guidelines for those willing to serve in this area. At this meeting we assign prayer partners, pray together and cover a few important reminders.
Here are a few of the things that the meeting covers:
- The schedule – when and where they will be praying
- Prayer partners assigned – we always have two women in the prayer circle
- Confidentiality
- Issues of abuse (i.e. should a teenager ask for prayer about abuse that they are experiencing, you are legally required to report it)
- Be prepared to share the gospel should the opportunity present itself
- Gently cut off lengthy and emotional explanations; the entire situation does not need to be understood in order for you to pray. Help the women focus on their specific request for prayer by saying “How do you want us to pray for you?”
- Use of breath mints :-)
- Reminder: They are there to pray, and not to be counselors. If their need requires counsel or professional help, pray-ers should encourage those women to set up an appointment with their pastor when they get home.
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