Small Group Worship Focus: Introducing Conversational Prayer

Does praying together in a group make you nervous? If your answer is yes, you're probably not alone. Many people in groups probably feel the same way.

Most Christians seldom pray aloud in a church group. They may be afraid of sounding stupid or not knowing what to pray, or worst of all - making "mistakes." Fears can be allayed with some positive experiences in group prayer. Praying as a group can be a unique time of worship—not something to dread at the end of a study.

Actually, praying together is vital for an effective discussion group. After discussing biblical discoveries and applications, a time of praise, petition and thanksgiving is the most natural step.

In this time of prayer, remember that someone in your group may be learning to pray together. It helps to forget ritualism and religious sounding phrases, and concentrate instead on saying things that are on the heart and saying them in your won words. Praying exactly what you think or feel requires honesty and openness with the Lord.

Small group prayers should be focused on communicating with God from the heart and not on being pressured on who can sound the best or the most passionate. Allow your group and visitors to work at their own speed. Most people want to pray aloud, but need to feel the encouragement of the group to do so. God will bring all this about in His own time.

Here are a few suggestions to help you and your group leader to get started:

1. The leader prays first.

As the leader, pray first, unless you are led otherwise. Use the words I and me instead of we, us and our. Speak for yourself. After you pray, someone else may be led by the Holy Spirit to pray on the same subject. They are simply continuing your prayer.

2. Be brief about prayer requests.

Don't spend too much time sharing prayer requests before praying. Much of your valuable prayer time can be spent in mentioning prayer requests to each other rather than praying.

3. Pray about one topic at a time.

This one is difficult. One person may pray about a sick friend, and the next person can stay on the topic by asking for strength for the person's family. Then another could pray that the family's financial and emotional needs will be met. After everyone who wants to pray on this topic has done so, the group can go to another topic.

4. Listen.

Each of you will want to pray in your heart along with the person who is verbally praying. This will make your prayer time more meaningful.

5. Pray briefly.

When each person prays about only one aspect of the topic, they can pray again sooner about something else after others have prayed about the topic. This helps everyone stay alert and involved in what is being prayed.

6. Pray spontaneously rather than in sequence.

Don't pray around in a circle, but let each person pray whenever he or she desires to pray. If six subjects are prayed about in the conversational prayer time, you or anyone else in the group may want to pray about only three of them. None should feel obligated to pray for something about which you are uninformed. Praying spontaneously doesn't mean praying thoughtlessly. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's careful leading about what you would like to pray.

7. Pray audibly.

Pray loud enough so that everyone can hear you.

What to pray for:

When you start praying as a group, there will often be a few moments of silence while you and members quiet their hearts and focus their attention on communicating with God.

Normally the first focus of your prayer together should be praising and thanking God. A quiet hymn or praise song is most effective in setting the tone for such praise. Let the Holy Spirit lead with the selection of a title.

Then you may pray for the needs within the group. You will find that relationships with the group will grow more personal. This builds a desire to pray for one another during the week. You will also be praying for the needs of others outside the group as well.

By praying conversationally you'll experience a new excitement about praying in a group. You will find that it leads to more praying—both in the group and when you are alone.

Jesus said, "If two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or more come together in my name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:19, 20).