Prayer Group
The Kick Off:
An uplifting spiritual event can sometimes launch a prayer group. In Fair Haven we hosted a Life in the Spirit workshop and a prayer group sprang from our desire to explore and develop our new life and gifts from the Holy Spirit.
Some churches feel a move of the Spirit in times of trouble or of promise, and gather people to pray. Trouble often motivates us to reach out to God! Other churches have a small or large group of people who deeply believe in praying and they simply want to get together.
Gathering:
Where will you gather the first times? A large room with a few people lost in it makes it very difficult to establish a sense of intimacy. A small, cozy space can feel more secure, either in a home or in church.
As people come together, something to drink (and occasionally to eat) can be comforting. A warm cup of caffeine-free tea can warm the body and soul especially in cold weather.
Setting the Atmosphere:
People’s initial experience can help to set the tone for time together. Starting your session by singing praise music can be a way of inviting in the Holy Spirit and opening up your hearts to God. The music should help you to relax and open to God and one another. You will want to pick music that comforts your community. Selecting a few songs from a praise cassette or CD and duplicating the words can invite people to participate. (Be sure your church has a copyright license for this.) Play your music loud enough so that people will not feel too self-conscious about their own voice, but not so loud as to be unpleasant.