Prayer Meetings - some Q&A

Below is a few Q&A's regarding prayer meetings. 

Question: First off, what the heck is a prayer meeting?

Answer: It is a dedicated time of gathering by God's people to offer prayer up to God. Prayer meetings are devoted times where God's people speak together to the Mighty God who listens, loves, and takes action for the good of his people.

Question: Ok, so what goes on at a prayer meeting?

Answer: Various Christian communities organize their prayer meetings differently. In general, you should expect a few things when you attend a prayer meeting - (1) times of silent prayer where each person can pray without raising their voice. (2) different people speaking up in prayer as they are comfortable to speak. (3) a clear "start" to time in prayer and a clear "end" to the prayer meeting. 

Beyond these three basics there are varying elements that you may also suggest or witness when you attend a prayer meeting. Some prayer meetings include singing, after all many of our favorite hymns and Psalms are written as prayers addressed to God. Some prayer meetings (especially in larger groups) have specific organized moments, like a time of prayer thanking God for his grace and mercy, another time of prayer confessing sin, another time of prayer focused on specific needs within the community or world. Some prayer meetings use readings from scripture to guide or direct prayer. Sometimes in smaller groups when multiple people are comfortable praying out loud assignments are given on various topics. In many prayer meetings there is a time set aside prior to praying where updates can be given regarding various people and things the church has been praying for already. 

Question: How long are prayer meetings?

Answer: It depends on the setting and culture of the community hosting the prayer meeting. I've been in prayer meetings with 2-5 people that have lasted for 10 minutes. I've been in prayer meetings with 2-5 people that have lasted an hour or longer. Generally, the larger the group of people, the more organized and "structured" a prayer meeting becomes. When I'm in settings with folks who haven't been long time attenders of a prayer meeting, I generally provide a few songs, one or two short (5-10 verses) readings from the Psalms and then allow for some directed specific prayer, and some "open" prayer. In these settings prayer meetings are usually 10-25 minutes.

Question: What examples of and instructions about prayer meetings do we have in the Bible? 

Answer: Prayer (and instructions about prayer) is all over the Bible. Below is a small sample of examples:

• We are told about individuals praying when they are alone (like the man Daniel who three times a day would pray in Daniel 6)
• about small groups meeting to pray (like Paul and Silas in Acts 16:13;16)
• about large groups meeting to pray (like the church in Jerusalem in Acts 1:12-15, 12:5)
• about prayer taking place during times of worship (like Paul's instructions to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:1-8)
• about prayer taking place together (like Jesus' instructions to the disciples in the Lord's prayer which all the pronouns are plural, not singular in Matthew 6:9-13)
• about prayer taking place in secret (like Jesus' instructions to the disciples in Matthew 6:1-8)
• about how prayer is a source of encouragement done through the Holy Spirit (like Jude's instructions at the end of his letter Jude 20)
• about how prayer for a wide variety of topics, and for specific topics is appropriate (like Paul's last few words to the Ephesian church he dearly loved in Ephesians 6:18-20)

Followers of Jesus gathering together to pray is one of the most biblical, God honoring things we can do together! 

Question: I have someone on my mind or heart that is in a really difficult situation. Should I share that with the group at the prayer meeting?

Answer: If you have permission from the person to share about a particular situation, then please do share! If you don't yet have permission from the person to share their need, you can (if given the opportunity to share prayer requests) ask for prayer for someone you know who is in a difficult situation, but you are not yet able to share more details about. When I am chatting with someone and they open up or share about a particularly difficult or challenging situation I try to listen well and then when given a moment to ask "do you mind if I pray about this?" or "would it be ok with you if I and my church were praying for you?". Some folks do say "I'd rather keep it private", but the vast majority of folks actually perk up and do give permission to share and pray. When someone says they'd like to keep things private I follow up with "is it alright with you if I'm praying about this just on my own?". In my entire life as a Christian I've never heard anyone tell me "no" to that one. 

Question: Praying out loud can be awkward, and some people pray for a long time, and some people just seem like they have such an easy time praying. What if I don't want to speak up, or pray out loud, should I still be a part of a prayer meeting?

Answer: Absolutely! If you are in a small group setting you can easily share with the organizers of the prayer meeting (pastor, elder, deacon, etc) how it might be better for you not to pray out loud at this prayer meeting. Any servant in the church worth their salt will honor your request. When I'm organizing prayer meetings I'll often ask if anyone would like to pray for a specific topic. Anyone who doesn't volunteer will then not be called on or expected to pray. I try to allow for some "open" times apart from specific prayer assignments that do allow for folks to speak up as they are so led and comfortable. 

Question: I have little ones, is there childcare provided or what do I do if my little ones are not sitting still praying?

Answer: If you are able check with the organizer of the prayer meeting ahead of time regarding the best options. Some prayer meetings I've attended have been larger than worship services (with hundreds of people). In larger settings there often is either childcare provided, or a particular space set aside for nursing moms, children with various physical challenges, or activities for children to do. In some of the smaller prayer meetings I've attended (with 2-15 people) the kids have joined in the prayer meetings. Prayer meetings don't have to be long, drawn-out extended marathons. Often when I've organized prayer meetings, when little ones are present, I invite them to participate by asking for anything they would like to pray for, and I'll include a song or two that children may be familiar with (such as "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" or "Jesus Loves Me"). One of the best things we can do with our children is pray! This is true in our one on one relationships with our kids, in our family times together, and as a larger extended church family. 

Simply attending a prayer meeting will (I hope) be a source of great encouragement to you in the faith of our Lord Jesus. Like anything we do together as a group of believers, there will be moments that are awkward, moments that are quiet, moments that are longer, and moments of tremendous reverence. When the Lord meets with his people in a prayer meeting there is a weighty sense of awe and also a delightful sense of burdens unloaded. When you attend a prayer meeting not only are you benefitted, but also you are a benefit to your other brothers and sisters in Christ to have you with them!