(Part 2 in a series about prayer. For the first post, go here.)
Have you ever tried to pray with people who were struggling with problems, the key word being “tried”? You wanted to share their requests with the Lord, but the opportunity never came up because they wouldn’t stop explaining their worries. Too much attention on trouble; not enough on Christ!
To help folks move from trials to triumph, many churches (including ours), use groups called “prayer teams” or “altar workers.” (The Bible identifies the altar as the place where prayers ascend to the Lord.) These intercessors help the hurting by believing God for His intervention and blessing in their lives.
To emphasize positive possibilities, altar workers are trained to listen some, talk little, and pray succinctly. Gather the basic information but don’t let difficulties dominate. Focus on Jesus who is the answer!
All that’s good, but something’s missing. Relationship!
People want connection as much as they seek answers to prayer. And for some, the prayer line represents one of the few times (perhaps the only occasion) when they get to tell their story. Knowing that you’ve been heard, that someone gets what you’re going through – that’s priceless.
I get it that you can’t let people share their requests endlessly and I feel that Victory does a pretty good job of “clock management.” But churches need to be careful. To skip over the need for relationships and merely process requests can be impersonal, even mechanical. Stripped of its relational character, the church would resemble a factory, taking in prayer needs and churning out requests.
Offering people a chance to receive prayer in a Sunday morning worship service is laudable. Prayer team members remind people that Jesus cares and can do awesome things.
Yet God furnishes even more. He provides relationship. And isn’t community a wonderful setting for the ministry of prayer?
It’s in community that we enjoy the love of God. Together, we learn to be humble and honest with each other. And united in prayer, we can experience surprising breakthroughs.
Whether you serve on a prayer team or not, as a follower of Christ, you have the potential to bless others with your prayers and your presence. Look for moments when you can speak to the Lord on behalf of the distressed. But also listen to them. Tune in to what they have to say. It shows that you care.
Prayer releases God’s power; listening unleashes His love. A church that has both is more than a factory; it’s a family!
I love this, P. Bob! We’ve been taught, (and it never sat well with me), to cut people off if they start to talk about the specifics of their prayer needs. “God knows the details… So we don’t need to”. As someone who has prayed for others, I don’t mind listening. And as someone who has needed the prayers of others, I’m thankful when they listen to me. That’s what the home group was to me… A place to listen and be heard. I miss that!
I’m sorry, Terri, I wasn’t listening. What did you say?:p
Just kidding, sister! Not only does listening convey loving attention to a suffering soul, but it also informs the prayer teams. When we hear what people are saying, we get a better sense of what they’re going through. I believe the Lord uses that as His Spirit guides our words when we intercede.
Thanks for the encouragement!