Prayer Styles
I often teach or write on the different prayer styles. Why? If we don't understand that different people are wired and created to want to pray different ways, we'll get frustrated that everyone is not praying 'like us'. OR..worse yet...we'll get critical of others, frustrated with them and their prayer style and you know what happens when intercessors get frustrated and critical....? They usually end up either quitting prayer groups and praying by themselves. Now, praying by yourself in itself, is not bad, but there are times when we need to come together to pray, and if we can't be 'ok' with the different pray styles, we'll miss out on some awesome corporate prayer. Why does that matter? Well, every now and then, we get invited to these wonderful gatherings called 'prayer meetings' on behalf of someone, or on behalf of a need in the Body. If we can't pray in a group, we'll miss out on the incredible blessing of Corporate Prayer! ( Check out my other blog; Abbotsford City Prayer, for an article on this!). There are times we are called to pray on our own, and other times when we need to stand together, to lift our voices on behalf of someone in need, and how much more often should we be gathering to pray for our pastors and leaders! Imagine the sound of many voices together, crying outloud - 'Yes God..help!'..wow!
Now, Leaders often ask different ones to pray for them. What they don't realise is that everyone of those prayer people may have a different style. Some will pray through a prayer request the minute they read it, and their done. Others will print it off, carry it in their bibles and refer to it each time they read the Word. Still others may make a bullet point list of what the needs are..and then just pray over the list. Some will pray as the needs come to mind. Others may read the list and feel a stirring towards only one of two things in the request, but will they ever pray for those one or two things!
The important thing, is that there is PRAYER happening on behalf of the Leader asking - intentional, purposeful and targeted prayer! That's awesome!
As Christians..we often say ' I'll pray for you', the same way other people say , 'Let's do lunch'. It's heartfelt at the moment, but it's never acted on, or thought about again.
Let's remember when we're asked to pray, that someone is counting on us - counting on the fact that we are 'covering' them with pray. Whether you pray long or pay loud...or pray quickly, or pray using lists....just remember to pray!
Now, Leaders often ask different ones to pray for them. What they don't realise is that everyone of those prayer people may have a different style. Some will pray through a prayer request the minute they read it, and their done. Others will print it off, carry it in their bibles and refer to it each time they read the Word. Still others may make a bullet point list of what the needs are..and then just pray over the list. Some will pray as the needs come to mind. Others may read the list and feel a stirring towards only one of two things in the request, but will they ever pray for those one or two things!
The important thing, is that there is PRAYER happening on behalf of the Leader asking - intentional, purposeful and targeted prayer! That's awesome!
As Christians..we often say ' I'll pray for you', the same way other people say , 'Let's do lunch'. It's heartfelt at the moment, but it's never acted on, or thought about again.
Let's remember when we're asked to pray, that someone is counting on us - counting on the fact that we are 'covering' them with pray. Whether you pray long or pay loud...or pray quickly, or pray using lists....just remember to pray!
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