Leading Prayer
Tips for Corporate Prayer in Church
- Refer to suggested prayer points in Elvnato under the ‘Plan’ tab. Do not be constrained by these suggestions – feel free to pray much wider than this. They are only suggestions.
- Length of prayers - it’s up to you, but bear in mind the audience. Pray what they are capable of listening to without it becoming a distraction to them. Too long and they lose concentration, too short and they feel ripped off, not to mention so too will God.
- Know at what point in the service you are due to pray (refer service sheet). Agree with the service leader beforehand if you will go straight up or be introduced.
Tips for Corporate Prayer in Church
- Use scripture - to in both our preparation & content of prayers. There is no better way to inform our prayers and ensure they are ‘Kingdom focused’. Including some scriptural citations can helpfully reiterate a point or focus the congregation on a point [don’t overuse scripture or cite chapter & verse numbers].
- Include a confession of sin (unless Confession is included in the service as a separate prayer that week)
- Include the Gospel - we need to hear it and give thanks for it constantly.
- Write them out - it pays to at least have some dot points, if not a full text [the latter is better]. It’s better to be well thought out and planned than tongue tied and repeating yourself. Don’t read like you would an essay, just do so with sincerity.
- Speak clearly, loudly & slowly - to do otherwise frustrates people.
- Use simple language - don’t be afraid to use appropriate language, but avoid unnecessary jargon and tones of voice.
- Avoid repetition - watch out for overuse of words or phrases [e.g. Lord, I just pray …].
- Use Lord’s Prayer - ask the congregation to join in saying the Lord’s Prayer at the end of your prayer [make sure it is up on the screen].
- Pray confidently - we pray knowing ‘Our Father’ delights in hearing and answering our prayers.
- Use variety - use the prayer book, scripture, prayers from books or song lyrics.