THE ALPHA

PRAYERGUIDE

2011PRE-RELEASE

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THEALPHAPRAYERGUIDE2011

24‐7PRAYER&ALPHA

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‘Aftertheyprayed,theplacewheretheyweremeetingwasshaken.AndtheywereallfilledwiththeHolySpiritandspokethewordof

Godboldly.’(Acts4:31)

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LIVINGONAPRAYER

WelcometotheAlphaPrayerGuide.InthissimplebookletwedescribethepracticalmodelsofcorporateprayerdevelopedatHTB,alongsideinspiringtestimoniesfromAlphaOfficesand24‐7PrayerRoomsaroundtheworld.Wehopeitwillhelpyoutomobilisepeopletopraywithgreaterfaithandperseverance.WheneverIreadmybible,studychurchhistoryortalktobelieversinpartsoftheworldwherethechurchisathermostvibranttoday,theyalltellmethesamething:thekeytomorepowerismoreprayer.NickyGumbeldescribesprayeras:‘themostimportantactivityofourlives.’AtHTBwedon’tyethavethelevelsofdedicationandbreakthroughwitnessedinplaceslikeSouthKoreaandIndonesia.Butprayerdoesunderpineverythingwedo;fromTheAlphaCoursetotheworkofTheWilliamWilberforceTrust.WethereforeofferyouthesepagesinthehopethattheymayhelpAlphachurchesaroundtheworldtoexperiencemoreofGod’spresenceandpowerinandthroughprayer.C’mon!PeteGreig24‐7Prayer&Alpha

‘Theevangelisationoftheworlddependsfirstuponarevivalof

prayer.’(RobertSpeers)

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INDEX

1. AVISIONFORPRAYER: TheBigIf…2. STORIESOFANSWEREDPRAYER:HowPrayerChanges

Lives3. MODELSOFCORPORATEPRAYER:PracticalWaysto

MobilisePrayer4. PRAYERANDTHEALPHACOURSE5. PRAYERRESOURCES

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1.AVISIONFORPRAYER‘TheNewTestamentlaysagreaterstressonprayerthanitdoesontheevangelisationofpeople.Thereisadeeper

needtopraythanthereisevenforpeopletobeconverted,andIdon’tsaythatlightlybecausethereisafierceneedforconversion.Butconversionswon’thappenunlesswe

areprayingandtheBiblesaysthatfrombeginningtoend.’(BishopSandyMillar)

Wehaveabigvisionforthere‐evangelisationofthenationsandthetransformationofsociety.AndtheGOODNEWSisthatGodhaspromisedtogiveuspreciselytheseblessings;describingthemin2Chronicles7:14asthehealingoftheland,thehearingofprayers,andtheforgivenessofsins.TheBADNEWSisthatthispromiseisconditionaluponourhumbleandferventprayers.

“WhenIshutuptheheavenssothatthereisnorain,orcommandlocuststodevourthelandorsendaplagueamongmypeople,ifmypeople,whoarecalledbymy

name,willhumblethemselvesandprayandseekmyfaceandturnfromtheirwickedways,thenIwillhearfrom

heaven,andIwillforgivetheirsinandwillhealtheirland.’(2Chronicles7:13‐14)

Thethreemostimportantwordsinthispassagemaywellbethemostinconspicuouswordstoo:When…If…Then.

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When…BeforeGodpromisesblessings,Hepromisesproblems.Hispeoplearenotimmunefromthedroughtsandplagueswhich,toanagrarianculture,meantdisasterateverylevel:environmentally,financiallyandsocially.If…Wearecurrentlyexperiencingenvironmental,financialandsocialcrisesbutsadlysomanyofGod’speopleareplacingtheirhopeinproducts,personalitiesandprogrammesinsteadofdoingtheonethingGodrequires:thatweturntoHiminprayer.Thereisabig‘If’thatactsasahinge,connectingthepredictionofproblems(‘when’)withthemostincrediblepromisesofhealingandsalvation(‘then’).WewantGodtosay‘Ifproblemscome,whenyoupray,thenIwillact…’butactuallyHesaystheexactopposite:‘Whenproblemscome,ifyoupray,thenIwillact…’Then…Whenchallengescome,ifGod’speoplewillrespondwithprayersthatarehumble,hungryandholy,Hepromisestoanswerusbysendingforgivenessandhealing.Thehingeofhistory,itseems,isthebendedknee.Inthefollowingsectionyouwillreadfiveremarkabletestimoniesaboutthepowerofprayertochangelives,communitiesandevennationstoday.

‘Godisnotdeaf,Helistens;morethanthat,Heacts.Hedoesnotactinthesamewaywhetherweprayornot.Prayerexertsan

influenceuponGod’sactions,evenuponHisexistence.’(KarlBarth)

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2.STORIESOFANSWEREDPRAYER:Howprayerischanginglivesallaroundtheworld:

o HowPrayerChangesNations(India)o HowPrayerChangesTownships(SouthAfrica)o HowPrayerChangesAlpha(NorthernIreland)o HowPrayerChangesLives(UK)o HowPrayerChangedaCampus(USA)

2.1 INDIA:HowPrayerChangesNations;aninterviewwithJ.VaradarajAstheDirectorofAlphaIndia,JVaradaraj–orsimply‘Raj’‐isknowntothousandsasaleaderandevangelist,buthisheartbeatswithanunusualpassionforprayerandinthisremarkableinterview,Rajshareshard‐woninsightsandpreciouskeystothekindsofprayerthatchangenations.

Raj,I’mtoldthatyougetuptoprayfrom2a.m.mostdays.Whatarethekeystosustainingsucharemarkablepersonalprayerlife?

OvertheyearsIhavecultivatedadisciplineofregularpraying.Myattentionspanistwentyminutes.SoIhaveslottedmyprayertimeintotwentyminuteseach.UsuallyIspendtimetocollectmyself–are‐gatheringofthemindandbecomingpresenttoHisPresence.Andthenwhenready,Ireadscripture.IdohaveregularportionsthatIreadsystematicallyandoftenthereisspontaneousreadingtoo,asledbytheSpirit.Ihavefoundthisimperativetomyprayerlife.Scripturecleansesthemindofallnon‐Godideasandfillstheheartwithfaith.Ialsokeepajournalduringthistime.Ihavemomentofrestandwaitingonhimintheprocess.

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Doyoualwaysprayinthesameway?

IntheinitialyearsofbeingaChristian,Iusedtoprayloudlyforlongperiodsofatime.Nowitisnormaltoprayloudlywhenthereisaheavyburden,otherwiseitisgentleconversationwithGod,ofteninsilence.Hearttoheart.Idohaveprayertimeswithothers–withasmallgrouponaregularbasis,withfamilydailyetc.,overthephonewithafewfriendsfairlyregularly.

Isprayersomethingwhichyouhavealwaysfoundeasytodo?

Notalways.Sometimesit’sastruggle.Atothertimesitiseasier.Prayerisanout‐flowandanoverflowofarelationshipwithGod.BeingrightlyrelatedtoGodandothershelps.

WhatadvicewouldyougivetoanewChristianwhoisstrugglingtoprayoriswonderinghowtopray?

Keeppraying,whetheryoufeellikeitornot.Prayerisspiritualdiscipline,anacquiredhabit.Tilloneacquires,itmightappeartough.

YouwerementoredbyHenriNouwen(author‘TheWoundedHealer’).Whatdidheteachyouaboutprayer?

Threethings:TobemyselfinthepresenceofGod.Towaitwithouthurry,andtoaskwithhonesty.

Whydoweneedtopray–can’tGodjustdoitanyway?

AsourLordtaughtus,inMatthew6,theFatherinHeavenknowsallourneedsbeforeweaskthem...Soit’sagoodquestion:‘Whypray?’OneanswerissimplythattheFatherdesirestohearHischildren'svoice.Hedesirestoknowwhatistroublingusandhow

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Hecanmakeushappy.Howhelongstoknowthatourdesiresareintunewithhis.WhenheknowsthatwewanttofulfilHiscallinguponus,Hewillanswer.

HowdoyouseeprayerchanginglivesinIndia?

Historically,inIndia,prayerhasbeenthebackboneofallrevivalmovements.Intheearly20thcentury,JohnHyde(affectionatelyknownas‘PrayingHyde’)prayedcontinuouslyforarevivalandduringthesameperiodtherewere54,000baptismsinPunjabareaalone.LateronBakhtSing,amanofprayer,plantedhundredsofchurchesalloverthecountryandthe‘Friend’sMissionaryPrayerBands’plantedseveralthousandchurches.Whenpeopleseektopray,theirheartsaresoftenedandbecomemoreopentotheworkoftheSpiritallowingtransformationstotakeplace.

WhatimpacthasprayerhadonAlphaIndiaanditsgrowth?

Encouragingchurchesassociatedwithustoprevailinprayerforthisworkhadunitedusspirituallyandtheyhavemadeittheirwork.Wecirculateprayerlistsregularlytoprayerpartners.WehavefoundthatthiscorporateprayerbringsasenseofawarenessthatGodisincontrolofhiswork,asenseofdependencyontheauthorofthework,asenseofconfidencethatGodiswithus(andwearenotalone)andopennesstonewrelationshipsandopportunities.Theresultsweseehereareanswerstomanyprayersfrommultitudesinthiscountryforsouls.

AssomeonepassionateaboutprayerwhoalsoheadsupAlphaIndia,howdoyouseeprayerandmissionfittingtogether?

Missionisthefuelthatpropelstheprayer.Onecannotpraymuchwithoutsubstance,forprayerissubstanceinrelationshipwiththe

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Father.ItissharingGod'smissionalheartthroughourpassionforthelost.

WhatadvicewouldyougivetoaChurchLeaderwhoistryingtoencouragehiscongregationtopray?

ThelifeofaChurchLeaderisprophetictothecongregation.Prayerlifeneedstobemodelledtothecongregation.Theyneedtoknowwhentheleaderprays.Theleadercanmentorthecongregationtopraybyprayingwithindividualsandfamilies.Hecanshowmethodsofprayerbyteachingthecongregation.Callingthemtopraytogetherperiodically,hecanmobilisethemasabody.

2.2 SOUTHAFRICA:HowPrayerChangesTownshipsBishopPeterSekhonyane(right)wasdiscouraged.Intwentyyearsasacrusadeevangelisthe’dledthousandsofpeopletotheLord,yetsofewhadcontinuedinfaithandbeenintegratedintothechurch.NotknowinganythingabouttheAlphaCoursemodel,hewasdejectedlypreparingtoquitpreachingandreturntohispreviousjobasaconcreteengineer.ButthenGodspoketohim:“Peter,youevangelisedthepeoplebutyoudidn’tteachthemtopray.Thereforetheyarenotstrongenoughwhentroubleandtemptationcomes.Gonow,andteachmypeopletopray”.

Inobediencetothisgentlerebuke,Petererecteda300‐seatertentandbegantrainingpeoplehowtoprayinoneofthe‘extensions’ofOrangeFarm,apoortownshipnearCapeTown.Peopleflockedtothe24‐7Prayertent,intercedingnightanddayfortheirfamiliesandthecommunity.Whatwasevenmoreremarkablewasthat

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manyofthosewhocametoprayhadn’tpreviouslyconsideredthemselvesChristians.

Theideaof24‐7Prayerquicklycaughtonandwordspreadintootherareasofthetownship.Withinninemonths,Peterhadestablishedsimilar24‐7prayertentsinsevenofthetwentyextensions.Andthencamethenextgreatshock:wherever24‐7Prayerwasestablished,thecrimeratesbegantocomedown.InfacttheimprovementwassodramaticthatthepolicespecificallyaskedPetertotakehisprayertenttoaparticularvillagewherecrimeandviolencewererampantandtheydidn’tknowwhattodo.Afterjusttwoweeksof24‐7Prayerinthisnewlocation,crimehaddeclinedtheretoo,andbeforelongthepolicewereaskingPetertoestablishprayertentsinalltheirworstcrimeareas.

“Noweventhewhitechurchesareopeningtheirdoorstoadopt24‐7Prayer”,saysBishopPeterwithawrysmile.“Infact,thechurchesthatweremostinvolvedwithapartheidarenowthesuppliersofthetentsweuse”.

Afterfiveyearsof24‐7PrayerinTownshipsacrossSouthAfrica,BishopPeter’steamanalysedtheircarefulrecordsandcalculatedthesocialandspiritualimpactoftheirendeavours.Theresultsarestunning:

- 38debtscancelled- 82misplacedpeoplereconnected- 190successfulcorruptionprosecutions- 2,807marriagesrestored- 7,240churcheshaveadopted24‐7Prayer- 8,400newbusinessesestablished- 785,300salvations

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Marriagesrestored…businessesestablished…hundredsofthousandscomingtoChrist!Somanyofourgreatestpassionsarereflectedinthislist,andthekeytoitallhasbeenpersistentprayer.‘AndwillnotGodbringaboutjusticeforhischosenones,whocry

outtohimdayandnight?’(Luke18:7)

2.3(NorthernIreland)HowPrayerChangesAlphaSeveralyearsago,wesetupa24‐7PrayerRoomforLentinwhichweprayedfor24hourseveryweekendfrom10a.m.onaSaturdaytill10a.m.onaSunday,andthenforthewholeofHolyWeekfinishingjustbeforeourGoodFridayService.ThepeoplewhosetuptheprayerroomandalargeproportionofthosewhotookslotsduringthattimehadcometofaithinJesusthroughAlpha.Wecalculatedthatmorethan140peopleprayedatleastonceinthe24‐7PrayerRoom–thebiggestprayermeetingweeverhad.

Whenwecalledameetingtoreviewourseasonof24‐7Prayerandtodecidewhatwehadlearntfromtheexperience,everyonesaidthatweshouldneverhavestoppedit!Soafewweekslaterwestartedprayingagainfrom10amonSaturdayto10amonSundayandwithonlyafewshortbreakswehavebeenprayingeveryweekendeversince,expandingitto48hoursontheweekendbeforeourAlphaCoursesandpraying24‐7allthroughHolyWeek.

Whatallthishasdoneistodrivethedevelopmentoftheprayerlifeofthecongregationbykeepingprayertotheforefrontconstantly.‐RevJohnDickinson–CarnmoneyPresbyterianChurch,NorthernIreland

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2.4 (UK)HowPrayerChangesLivesAtestimonyfromthefirst24‐7PrayerRoominChichester,England.“LastnightsomeoneprayedformeandforthefirsttimeinmylifeIreallyfeltGodenterintomeanditwasanincrediblefeeling(almostlikeIwasachildagain)....andthenGodactuallytalkedtome(somethingIdidn’tthinkcouldeverhappen).Hisexactwordswere‘Youaremyson,Iwillneverleaveyou’andHesaiditoverandoveragainandIcouldhearmusic.IliterallywantedtoshoutouttoJesus.ThisisthemostamazingtimeofmylifeandIwanteveryonetoknow.IwantallmyfriendsandthepeopleIworkwithtoknow”.

2.5 (USA)HowPrayerChangedaCampus”IwashangingoutwithmyfriendAimee1whenshetoldmeaverystrangething.Shesaidthatshehadtoleaveforan‘appointmentwithGod’.Somethinginsidemewascurious,sowhensheinvitedmetocomealongtothePrayerRoom,Idid.Duringourhour,IacceptedChristandIcannottellyouhowlife‐changingtheexperiencehasbeenforme.Sincethatday,Ihavereturnedtothe24‐7PrayerRoomafewtimesandGodhastrulyshownhimselftomeinhugeandmarvelousways.Yousee,IamakidwhogrewupwithanabusivedadandIbelievedthatIcouldthereforeneverexperiencetheloveofafather.ButGodhasshownmedifferently.IhavefeltsolovedandnowexperiencepeaceeverydayknowingthatmyheavenlyFatheriswithme.Ididn'teverthinkthiswassomethingIcouldfeel.

1Nameshavebeenchanged.

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Duringoneofmyvisitstotheprayerroom,Isawacardonthewallaskingpeopletopray‘forthelost’.ItwashumblingtometoreadthatbecauseIrealizedthatpeopleIdidn'tknowhadbeenprayingformewhenIwaslost.IliveinaFraternityhouseatBlufftonUniversity,Ohio,andIcouldn'tgetmyfratbrothersoffmymind.AimeeexplainedthatnowthatIwasaChristianIhadbeencalledtoseekothersoutandtellthemofthegreatloveIamexperiencing.SosheprayedthatIwouldhaveboldnessandcouragetodothisatschool.

Ibegantopraythatallthirty‐threeofmyfratbrotherswouldgivetheirlivestoChrist.Andonebyone,theydid!Itwasalittlebitcrazy.Everycoupleofdaysanotherguywouldcomeandaskmetopraywithhimortellmethathehadalreadyprayed.HowexcitingitwasformetowatchthetransformationinmyFraternityhouse.Ithadbeenaplacededicatedtoanythingthatdidn'thonorGod,butnowweweresingingworshipsongsinourlivingroom!Godtookoverourhouseandtherewasnoturningback.BythetimeweleftforChristmasbreakeveryoneexceptTimhadbecomeaChristian.Duringbreak,Aimeewashouse‐sittingandinvitedTimoverfordinner.BytheendofthenighthetoohadplacedhisfaithinChristashisSavior.Thirty‐fourfratbrothersinlessthansixmonths.WhatamightyGod!LittledidweknowhowperfectGod'stimingwasinallofthis.Twenty‐sevendaysafterTimplacedhisfaithinChrist,justafterChristmas,hewasinvolvedinafatalautomobileaccidentandwenttobewithJesus.

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Inthe27daysbeforeTimdied,hehadbeenconsumedwithconcernforhisparentswhodidnotyetsharehisnewfoundChristianfaith.Butathisfuneral,Tim'sparentsandfifteenofhishighschoolfootballteam‐matesdecidedtotrustChristandfollowHim.Ibelieveallofthishappenedbecausetherewerepeopleinthe24‐7prayerroomprayingforthelost.IpraiseGodforthechurchandtheirfaithfulobediencetoGoddemonstratedthroughprayer.”

‘Ofallthings,guardagainstneglectingGodinthesecretplaceofprayer.’

(WilliamWilberforce)

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3.MODELSOFCORPORATEPRAYER:‘ThemanwhomobilizestheChristianchurchtopraywillmakethegreatestcontributiontoworldevangelizationinhistory.’(Andrew

Murray)

Therearesomanynewandexcitingwaysinwhichpeoplearejoiningtogetherinprayerfortheworldandsoourhopeisthat,bysharingthemodelsofprayerweuseatHolyTrinityBrompton,wewillequipyouto:

• Becomemoreeffectiveinprayer• Becomemorestrategicincoordinatingthecorporate

prayerlifeofyourchurch• Geteverymemberofyourchurchexcitedaboutand

activelyengagedinthepriestlymissionofthechurchInthissectionwewilldescribesixpracticalmodelsofcorporateprayerwhichcanbereproducedinchurchesofanysize:3.1 HowtoRunReallyGreatPrayerMeetings3.2 SocialJusticePrayerBriefings3.3 PrayerNetworks3.4 24‐7PrayerRooms3.5 PrayerConcerts3.6 YearsofPrayer3.7 TheLord’sPrayeratNoon

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PRAYERMODEL#1:HOWTORUNREALLYGREATPRAYERMEETINGS

“AgainItellyouthatiftwoofyouonearthagreeaboutanythingyouaskfor,itwillbedoneforyoubymyFatherinHeaven.Forwheretwoorthreecometogetherinmyname,thereIamwith

them–Matthew18:19

ThefirstChristiansknewthatprayermeetingsareexcitingandwedon’tthinkanythinghaschanged!Ononeoccasiontheroominwhichtheyweremeetingshookwiththepoweroftheirprayers.OnanotheroccasionPeterwasmiraculouslyrescuedfromprisonbytheirprayers.JesushadtoldthemthatwhentheycametogetherinHisnamehewouldattend,andthatwhentheyagreedtogetherinHisname,Hewouldheartheirprayersandperformmiracles.Nowondertheinstinctoftheearlychurch,whenevertheyfacedtrials,wassimplytoraisetheirvoicestogetherinprayer.

OurweeklyprayermeetingatHTBBromptonRoadrunsfrom7‐8amonaTuesdaymorninginthechurchbuilding.Itisthebasicbuildingblockofourcorporateprayerlifeasachurch.Thenumberoneaiminleadingtheseprayermeetingsistomakesurethattheyarenevereverboring!Wedothisinfourways:

1. bybreakingthehourdownintoshort‘bite‐size’sections,2. bydeployingdifferentmodelsandstylesofprayer

throughout(seebelow)3. byfocusingondifferentissues:personal,local,national,

global4. byblendingworshipandspaceforpropheticinputinwith

theprayerstoo.

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SixTypesofPrayerforPrayerMeetings:

1. ABC:Agreatwaytoactivelyengageeveryone inaprayermeetingistosometimessplitthegroupdownintothrees,asking eachperson to allocate themselves ‘A’, ‘B’or ‘C’.Having done this, give three specific prayer pointers,relatingtoaparticularissue,allocatingonerequestforA’s,oneforB’sandoneforC’s.Thismultipliestheprayerandengages everyone. Each person at the prayer meetingthen knowswhat they arepraying about and insteadofjust one big prayer meeting you end up with lots ofsmallergroupsallprayingatonce.

2. Worship:Ofcoursemanyofourprayerscanbesung,andwe are told to bring our petitions before the Lordwiththanksgiving and to enter his courts with praise.Therefore,duringtheprayermeetingtrytoebbandflowbetweensungworshiptimesandintercession,withmusicplayinginthebackgroundthroughout.

3. Cryingout:Jesussometimesprayed‘inaloudvoice’andwearetoldthattheearlychurchalso:‘raisedtheirvoicestogetherinprayertoGod’.Today,whereverthechurchisgrowingfastest,itmodelssimultaneouscorporateprayer.Soevenifitfeelsuncomfortableorunnaturalatfirst,weundoubtedlyhavesomethingtolearnaboutraisingourvoicesinprayer;fromJesus,fromtheearlychurchandfromourbrothersandsisterstodayinplaceslikeSouthKorea,Indonesia,Nigeria,ChinaandArgentina.

PrayingsimultaneouslyismuchmoreefficientsincewebelievethatGodcanheareachoneofus,andit’smoreengagingthanlisteningpassivelytolongspeechesfrom

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othersuntilweeventuallysay‘Amen’attheend.Prayingaloudtogetherisalsoagreatwayofstirringourselvestogetpassionateaboutthingsthatreallymatter.Youwillfindithelpfultoplaymusicinthebackgroundwhenyouprayinthiswayanditcanbeimportanttoprimepeopleandtogivethemaclearprayerfocus–somethingreallyinspiring.

Wewillalsooftenencouragepeopletothinkofaparticularbiblicalpromisetoclaimiftheyarenotsurewhatelsetosay.Andthemomentthatvoicesstarttodiedown,(I’mafraidthatforusthisisoftenaftermerelyaminuteortwo)bereadytomoveontothenextthingorflowintoaworshipsong.

4. 50/50:Anotherwaytoengageeveryoneinprayer(andtomakethe ‘CryingOut’modela littleeasier) istosplitthegroupinhalf,askingonesidetoraisetheirvoicesandcryouttoGodaboutaparticularissuewhilsttheotherhalfoftheroomsingsinworship.Then,afteraverseorachorus,swapsides.This isagoodwayofcombiningthanksgivingwithintercession.

5. Zones:Youcouldalsosplittheroomintozonesandfocustheprayersineachsectionontoadifferenttopicoraspectofasingletheme.Thismightsimplyinvolvemaking3or4posters with particular prayer points on each one, andsticking these up on different pillars or walls of thebuilding.Allow enough time for people tomove aroundtheroomprayingsilentlyorquietly intowhicheveroftheissues theychoose. It’sagood idea tohave instrumentalmusicplayingsoftlyinthebackgroundtomakethesilence

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less intimidating. Every few minutes you may like toencouragepeopletomoveontothenextzone.

6. PetitioningtheKing:Thismodelofprayerinvolvesplacinga chair at the frontof the roomwith itsback facing thecrowd.Havingdonethis,remindpeopleoftheseriousnessofprayerandthehonourofcomingintothepresenceofaHolyKingwithourrequests.YoumayliketoprovidesomehistoricalcontextbymentioningthebiblicalstoryofEstherwho was afraid that she might be struck dead if herrequestdispleasedKingXerxes.

Next, simply ask people to imagine that the chair is athrone and that God is lovingly and graciously invitingthemtorequestofhimjustonespecificthing.Whatwouldthat supreme request be? Then play music and makespace forpeopletocome,oneatatime,tokneelbeforeChrist’s throneandmake theirpetition reverently to theKing.Thiscanbeverypowerfulandemotionalaslongasitisn’tdonetoooften.

Anexampleagendaofatypicalhour‐longprayermeeting,usingthesedifferenttypesofprayerisavailableathttp://alphafriends.org/praying‐your‐course.

IattendtheHTBprayermeetingbecauseIbelievethatwhenweprayGodhearsusinheavenandthingshappen.Thingschangebecausewegetup,gettogetherandpray.It’sthehighlightofmy

week–Rev.BillCahusac

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PRAYERMODEL#2:SOCIALJUSTICEPRAYERBRIEFINGSItwasanormalchurchprayermeetingatourannual‘Focus’churchholiday.AfriendwhohadrecentlysetupacharitytofighthumantraffickinginIndiahappenedtobepresentandsoweaskedhimtocomeandsayafewwordssothatwecouldsupporthisendeavourwith5minutesofprayer. He’s a successfulbusinessman; a verycompetent and ‘together’ sort of person, but when he tried tospeakhesimplybrokedown in tears.Hecouldn’tsayaword.Hejustwept.Andashedidso,agreatseriousnessenteredtheroom.It was as though we caught something of God’s heart for thechildrenwhoarecryingouttohimforhelp.Werealisedthenandthere thatwe simplyhad to startpraying regularly for the thingsthat break God’s heart.We had to put our prayers where ourpreachingis.The prophet Isaiah insists thatwemust not separate our prayerlives from the livesof thosewho arehurting andoppressed (ch.58).TheapostlePaulremindsusthat‘Ourbattleisnotagainstfleshandbloodbutagainstprincipalitiesandpowersinhighplaces’(Eph6:18)Aswell as engagingwithmajorworld issues practicallywebelievethatGod’speoplemustwrestlewiththemprayerfully.Todo thisweproduce amonthly ‘PrayerBriefing’which focusesthe intercessionsof thechurchonaparticular social justice issuesuchasHumanTrafficking,theAIDScrisis,ThePersecutedChurch,CaringfortheEnvironment,BrokenFamiliesatChristmasandPeaceintheMiddleEast.Eachbriefing is included in themonthlychurch informationguidesothateveryonewhoattendsaservicehearsaboutit.Thebriefing

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combines relevantscriptures,key factssuppliedbyexperts in thefield and specific prayer pointers. Aswell as encouraging churchmemberstopraythroughoutthemonthaboutthisparticularsocialjusticeissue,wealsodevoteoneofourweeklyprayermeetingstothe theme and invite a knowledgeableperson to come andhelpinformourprayers.Oneoftheexcitingimplicationsofdoingthisisthat peoplewhomight not normally attend the prayermeetingmaywellbegalvanisedtoattendwhenweareaddressinganissueaboutwhichtheycarepassionately.StepsforcreatingaPrayerBriefing:

1. Choosethetopic–Arepeople inyourchurchpassionateabout any particular issues? Are there any nationalcampaigns you could support in prayer? Are there localissuesofinjusticeinyourcommunityorcitywhichneedtobeaddressed?Thesecouldbeanythingfromgun‐crimeonthestreetstotheclosingdownofneighbourhoodschools.

2. Researchthe issue– It’s importantthattheBriefingwins‘heartsandminds’ inordertomotivateprayer.Thereforetake time to research and find powerful statistics andmovingstoriestoinformandinspireprayer.

3. Prepare the briefing and prayer points – Collate andsummarise everything you have researched into a fewbulletpointsandverseswithperhapsoneshortstory.It’simportant not to overwhelm people with information.Seven prayer points, one for every day of the week, isideal. Keep it simple and compelling. Disseminate thisinformation through church news‐sheets, website,Facebook,emails to yourprayerNetwork (seebelow)orcreate a special leaflet which can be handed out on

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Sundays for attachment to fridges, notice‐boards orinsertioninbibles.

4. Inviteaguest– Ifyouknowofanon‐profit linkedtothetopicyouareprayingaboutsee if there issomeonewhomight come andoffer a tenminute interview aspartofyourprayermeeting.Alternativelyyoumayhavesomeonein your community who is already knowledgeable andcompellingonthesubject.

5. Publicise your prayer meeting – Encourage yourcongregationthatiftheycareabouttheissueandwanttomakeadifferencetheyreallycandosobycomingtothespecialprayermeeting.

To see an example of an HTB prayer briefing go towww.htb.org.uk/ministry/prayer/prayer‐briefings

‘Weareconvinceditwasthatmorningpraying[abouthumantrafficking]atHTB,acoupleofweeksagothathascausedthetidetoturninourfavour.Somuchso,inthelastraid,theAdditional

CommissionerofPolicesentinhisownspecialforceteamwiththeraid.–AshleyVarghese,Justice&CareInternational

PRAYERMODEL#3:PrayerNetworksAchildissuddenlystruckdownonthewaytoschoolandsheislyinginacriticalconditioninhospital.AnewChristianisstrugglingwithhisfaith.MembersofaGlobalAlphaTraining(GAT)teamhaveallcontractedfoodpoisoning.Sunday’spreacherhaslosthisvoice.

Someprayerrequestsjustcan’twaitfortheweeklyprayermeeting.Othersaretooconfidentialforpublicbroadcast.And

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anyway,wheneverandwhereveryouholdthechurchprayermeeting,itwillalwaysbeanimpossibletimeorplaceforsomechurchmemberstoattend,nomatterhowmuchtheymaywanttopray.

It’ssoexciting,therefore,thatweliveatatimewhenitispossibletoconnectandcommunicateinstantlyandaffordablyatthetouchofafewbuttons,andwecanusethistomobiliseprayer.

WhenwesurveyedtheHTBcongregationsthreeyearsagowediscoveredthatmanypeoplewantedtogrowinprayerandwerekeentobegivenprayerrequeststoo.Whatwasparticularlyinterestingwasthediscoverythatthenumberofpeopleexpressingahungerforprayerwasmorethanfourtimeshigherthanthenumberattendingtheweeklyprayermeeting.

SowelaunchedaprayernetworkcalledPrayerForcewhichidentifiesthosechurchmemberswithaheartforprayerandsendsthemregularconfidentialprayeralertsviaemail,text,Facebookorapasswordprotectedwebsite.Inreturnwetrytohelpthemgrowintheirownprayerlivesbyarrangingoccasionalquietdayretreats,arrangingteachingeventsandsendingoutanewsletterwhichincludesquotes,testimoniesofansweredprayer,andextractsfromhelpfulbooks.

OneofthegreatthingsaboutthePrayerForcemodelisthatitcanworkinaverysmallchurchwheretheremightbejust3peoplewithaheartforprayer,orinalargechurchwheretheremaybemanyhundreds.

‘AnexcitingpartofPrayerforceisgettingtheemailsandknowingthatImakeadifferencebyprayingindividually.I’mastudentsoI

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don’thavethetimetoattendeverythingatHTBsoPrayerforceisonewaythatImakeadifference’

PRAYERMODEL#4:24‐7PrayerRooms24‐7PrayerisoneofthemostexcitingandcreativeexpressionsofprayeratHTB.Wearrangeregularseasonsof24‐7(night‐and‐day)prayerinaspeciallydecoratedroomonsite.Peoplecansignuptotakeanhour‐longshiftintheprayerroom,andwetherebyfilldaysandevenweekswithnon‐stopintercessionandpraiseaspartoftheglobal24‐7Prayermovement.Thishasbeengoingformorethanadecadeinmultiplelocationscontinually.

Wearecurrentlyhopingtoexpandour24‐7prayerseasonsatHTBtostartprayingcontinuallythroughouttheyear.SinceAlphaministriesoperateallovertheworld,itmakesperfectsensetohaveaprayerroomthatisfunctioningattheheartofeverything,beatingnight‐and‐day,inwhichwecanrespondtoprayerrequestsfromanytimezoneonearth,whenevertheycomein.

InAlbaniawhenwestartedthefirst24‐7prayerroomitcoincidedwiththestartofAlphaandthestartofourtrainingcentrefor

leadershipandbothministriesareverysuccessful.Wecredititallreallytothe24‐7prayerroom–HervinFushiati,Albania

Whatis24‐7Prayer?The24‐7prayerroommodelisasimpleidea.It’sjustprayingwithoutstopping,inone‐hourshifts,night‐and‐day,aroundtheclock,inaroomorspacethat’sbeensetasideasa‘prayerroom’.Groupstendtopraylikethisforanythingfrom24hoursuptomany

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months.Theroomisdecoratedcreativelytoinspireprayer,engagingasmanyofthesensesaspossible,andenablingpeopletoexperimentwithdifferentstylesandtypesofprayer.

Aseasonof24‐7Prayerprovidesaplace,atime,acontextandacatalystforprayer.It’sapracticaltoolhelpingordinarypeopletopray.Manywhowouldconsiderthemselvesbadatprayingturnupfortheirhourslotintheprayerroomandthenstayfortwo.Oneisrarelyenough.

The24‐7modelofnightanddayprayerhasbeenfield‐testedexhaustivelysince1999inmanynations,mostdenominationsandlocationsasdiverseasEnglishcathedrals,avanintheslumsofDelhiandbreweryinMissouri.It’sespeciallyexcitingwhen24‐7PrayerleadsuptoanAlphaCourseorevenrunsconcurrently.CountlesspeoplehaveemergedfromprayerroomstoreportthatGodspoketotheminlifechangingways,orthattheyfoundprayereasier,orthatanhourfeltliketenminutes.Evennon‐ChristianshaveoftenexperiencedGod’spresence.

Wheredidtheideacomefrom?Churchhistoryrevealsthat24‐7PrayervigilshavealwaysbeenusedpowerfullybyGod:

- 2000yearsago: thechurchwasbornina24‐7prayerroominJerusalem!

- 1000yearsago: Celticmonasteriesprayed24‐7andtransformedEurope

- 300yearsago: Moraviansprayed24‐7for100yearsandtookthegospeltomanynations

- 105yearsago: amultiracial24‐7prayerroomonAzusastreetinLosAngelessparkedtheglobalPentecostalandcharismaticrenewal

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Suchhistoricalprecedentsmakeitevenmoreexcitingthatanewgenerationisdiscoveringthepowerof24‐7prayer,especiallywhenitistwinnedwithAlpha.Tofindoutmoreabout24‐7Prayerandhowtosetupaprayerroom:

• www.24‐7Prayer.com.

• The24‐7PrayerManualexplainshowtoorganiseaseasonofnon‐stopprayer

• RedMoonRisingtellstheexcitingstoryofhowthe24‐7Prayermovementbegan.

“‘AgroupofstudentsatStAndrew’sUniversitysetupa24‐7prayer

roomatHolyTrinitychurch.TheyfollowedthiswithanAlphaLaunchpartyattheOldCourseHotel(homeofgolf).Asaresultof

thePrayerRoomtheAlphaCourseatStAndrewschangeddramatically.ThestudentssaidthatAlphafeelsdifferentnowand

theChristiansareevenmoreunited.”NickGuy(Scotland)

PRAYERMODEL#5:PRAYERCONCERTSOneofthemostexcitingwaysofprayingcanbetoarrangeaPrayerConcertcombiningworshipwithprayer,spacetobestillandlistentoGod,andalsogapswhenpeoplecansharetheirowntestimoniesandimpressionswiththegroup.

ThePsalmsareanextraordinarycombinationofadoration,thanksgiving,lamentation,petitionandintercession,writtenmostlyforcorporatesingingandrecitation.Thedividebetween‘worship’and‘prayer’isoftenafalseone–theyarereallytwosidesofthesamecoin.Afterall,theapostlePauladvisesustobringourpetitionsbeforetheLordwiththanksgiving.

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Tomakeprayerconcertsreallyflow,it’simportantthattheworshipleaderandtheprayerleaderworkcloselytogetherandareflexible,opentotheleadingoftheSpirit.Speakingshouldbekepttoaminimum–thisisnotaminichurchserviceandno‐onewantsasermon!Otherthanashortintroductionatthebeginningtohelpfocusfaith,trytokeeptalk,rulesandliturgytoaminimum.Youwillfindanaturalflowemergesbetweenworshipandprayer,thanksgivingandpetition,noiseandsilence.

PrayerandFasting

Twiceayear(betweenourbiannual‘VisionSunday’and‘GiftSunday’)wecallthechurchtoadayofprayerandfasting.ItisawayofcomingtogetherasacommunitytofocusourprayersonthevisionandministriesGodhasgivenus.ThedaybeginswithourregularTuesdayprayermeetingfrom7‐8amandconcludestwelvehourslater,from7‐8pmwithaprayerconcertledbyTimHughesandPeteGreig.Afterthisevent,everyoneisencouragedtogoandbreaktheirfastingroups,perhapsinoneofthenearbyrestaurants.

FastinghumblesusandbringsustoanawarenessofourneedofGod.ItrenewsthesenseofbalanceandpriorityinourwalkwithGod.ItheightensourspiritualsensitivityandclearsthechannelsofcommunicationwithGod.Ithitsatourdeep‐seatedselfishnessandstrengthensourselfcontrol.HavingadedicatedtimeofprayerandfastingisnotawayofmanipulatingGodintodoingwhatyoudesire.Rather,itissimplyforcingyourselftofocusandrelyonGodforthestrength,provision,andwisdomyouneed.

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SpecialOccasionsEveryyearatHTBwealsoholdaNewYearPrayerConcertwhichoffersthecongregationanalternativetotheusualNewYearsEveparties.It’sanopportunitytofocusonJesus,atimetolookbackontheyearthathaspassedandtoprayfortheyearahead.Wecelebratewithgreatworship,lotsoffun,prayers,momentsofquietreflectionandasatellitelink‐uptoBigBenatmidnight.

WeencouragechurchestoholdspecialprayereventsaspartoftheannualAlphaInvitationcampaign(seesection4).

PRAYERMODEL#6:YearsofPrayerWhynotjointhousandsofotherchurchesfromaroundtheUKintakingpartinthe2012YearofPrayer?Onenation,joinedtogetherinconstantprayerfortheevangelizationofthenationsandthetransformationofsociety.

• In2010ScottishAlphachurchescombinedwithothersinayearofunbroken24‐7Prayerthroughoutthecountry.Theinitiativewasknownas‘TheBigIf…’–areferenceto2Chronicles7:14‘Ifmypeople…’

• Meanwhile,in2010,AlphaUSApartneredwith24‐7PrayertocatalyzeprayeronhundredsofUScampuses.

• In2011asimilarYearofPrayeristakingplacethroughoutIreland.

KC:UK2012‐Fournations,oneyearof24‐7Prayer.“YourKingdomCome”

UK:In2012weareinvitingall7000AlphachurchesintheUKtocometogetherforanunbrokenyearofprayerthroughoutEngland,Wales,ScotlandandNorthernIreland,fillingtheOlympicyearwith

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unprecedentedintercessionforthenation.Formoredetailsonhowtosetupyour24‐7prayerroomandtogetinvolvedinthe2012yearofprayergotohttp://www.alphafriends.org

Global:In2012 wearemobilisingprayergloballywitheachofthe50Alphaofficestakingresponsibilityforatleastoneweekof24‐7prayertofilltheyearwithaglobalchorusofprayerfortheAlphavision.Tofindoutmoregotohttp://www.alphafriends.org

PRAYERMODEL#7:THELORD’SPRAYERATNOON

The‘OurFather’isthebest‐knownprayerintheworldandwearerediscoveringitspower.OnEasterdayalonesometwobillionpeopleprayorsingthesewords,firsttaughtbyJesustothedisciplesinresponsetotherequest,‘Lord,teachustopray’.Infact,whentheArchbishopofCanterbury,RowanWilliams,wasaskedhowhewouldsummarisetheentireteachingofChristianityonthebackofanenvelopeheansweredwithouthesitationthathewouldsimplywritethewordsofTheLord’sPrayer.

Withthegrowthofthe24‐7Prayernetworksaroundtheworld,manypeoplehavedevelopedadailydisciplineofpausingeachdayatnoon,inordertopraythe‘OurFather’.Christiansinsomanytimezonesarenowmakingthisapersonaldisciplinethatwewillsoonbeagiantglobalchorus,beginningeveryhourofeverydaywiththewordsChristHimselftaughtus.

PrayingtheLord’sPrayeratnoonisjustanothertool,alongsidetheBibleinOneYearandaregularvisittoa24‐7PrayerRoom,whichcanhelpusalltopracticethepresenceofGodinourlives24hoursadayandsevendaysaweek.Ofcourse,sometimeswhenyouralarmgoesoffonyourcellphoneatnoon,itisinconvenienttopauseandpray.Inmanywaysthatisthewholepoint;wewantour

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busy‐nesstoberudelyandregularlyinterruptedbyareminderofourdeepestprioritiesinlife.

OneofthevergersatHTBsaidthatthisparticulardisciplinehasbeenthemosthelpfulprayermodelhe’severtriedbecauseithelpshimtorememberGodinthemiddleofhisworkingdayandtoreallyrememberwhoheisworkingfor.

Ofcourse,suchdisciplinesinprayerdonothavetobelegalistic‘vainrepetition’.Infacttheycanbeliberatingandlife‐giving.AsaGod‐fearingJewJesuswouldcertainlyhavepausedthreetimeseverydaytopraytheSh’ma:‘Hear,OIsrael…’SuchliturgicaldisciplineshavebeenintegraltoChristianprayerfromthestart.Forinstanceweknowthatthefirstbelieversstillattendedthedailyprayermeetingsatthetemple.ItwasonthewaytooneoftheseprayermeetingsthatPeterandJohnhealedthebeggaratthegatecalledBeautiful(Acts3:1).Andinthedidache–aletterinstructingchurchesinhowtoworshipwrittenaroundtheyear100AD–ChristiansareencouragedtopraytheLord’sPrayernotjustoncebutthreetimesaday(presumablyinsteadoftheJewishsh’ma).It’sthrillingtothinkthatbyprayingtheLord’sPrayeratNoonwearediscoveringanancientdisciplinewhichconnectsuswithChristiansaroundtheworldandbackdown2000yearstotheverybirthofthechurch.

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4.PRAYERANDTHEALPHACOURSEPrayerliesattheheartofanyAlphacourse.Wewanttoempowerthe(re)evangelizationofthenationsandtransformationofsocietybycatalysing,connectingandresourcingChristcentred,mission‐mindedprayerineveryAlphachurcharoundtheworld.InthissectionweoutlinethreespecificwaysinwhichyoucanincreasetheprayerunderpinningyourCourse.

o PrayerfortheAlphaInvitationo PrayerforAlphaCourseguestso PrayerforAlphaMissionTrips(GAT)

4.1PrayerfortheAlphaInvitationEveryyearathrillinginvitationgoesouttothenationtocomeandexplore the really big issues of Life on an Alpha Course.Underpinning the national advertising campaign, is an army ofordinary people organising thousands of local Alpha Courses,booking venues, cooking meals, preparing to lead discussiongroups,andinvitingtheirfriends.ButthestoryoftheAlphaInvitationdoesn’tendthere.Justasthereal power behind the advertising campaign is the army ofvolunteers, so the real power behind the success of the AlphaCourse isanarmyofprayerwarriorswhounderstand that this isnot just aboutmarketing. Behind the humorous talks, the pastasuppers and the cartoon illustrations is a real spiritual battle forheartsandminds.

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Research in the UK revealed that there is an almost exactcorrelation between the amount of prayer mobilised for AlphaCoursesandthenumberofguestswhoattendthecourses.AsGodsays toKingZerubbabel: ‘Notbymightnorbypower,butbymySpirit,’saystheLordAlmighty.’(Zechariah4:6)Sowhynotholdaprayerandworshipeventto launchyourAlphacourse?Ormaybeyoucouldjoinwithotherchurchesinyourlocalareatohosta jointAlphaLaunchprayerevent.ResourcestohelpyouorganiseandrunyourPrayer&Worship launcheventcanbefoundathttp://alphafriends.org/praying‐your‐course

4.2PrayerforAlphaCourseGuestsThehostsandhelperswho facilitate thediscussiongroupsonanAlpha Course are best positioned to pray for the guests in theirgroupsbecause theywill come to know thenamesandneedsofeach individual in a way that no‐one else can. It is essentialtherefore thathostsandhelpers reallydopray regularly for theirguests.Thereareatleastthreewaysthiscanbedone:

1. Daily:Aimtopraydailyforthemembersofyourgroupbynameinyourownpersonaldevotionaltime.Youmayfindithelpfultokeepa listandmakeafewnotesofanythingtheLordshowsyou.

2. Weekly:ThewholeAlphateamshouldallowenoughtimetomeeteachweekbeforetheguestsarriveforabriefingandprayermeeting.This isparticularly important for thesession ‘DoesGodheal today?’,as the teamcanwaitonthe Lord for words of knowledge, pictures and so on.Thesecanthenbereadoutafterthetalkandpeoplewhorespondtothemcanbeofferedprayer.

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3. Occasionally: It’s a great idea for hosts and helpers tomeet together occasionally apart from Alpha nights inorder to pray for those in their small groups in anunhurried,lesspressurisedway.

While thehosts and helpersmust take primary responsibility forpraying for their guests, theremaywell be others in the churchwhowouldbewillingtoprayfortheAlphaCourse.Somechurchesthereforecirculateprayerlistsviaemail,andothershavedesignedtheir own prayer bookmarks for the Alpha Course as a helpfulreminder.Wewereasmallteam,runningAlphainasmallruralchurchwith

about8guests,onandoffeachweek!Wehad2hostsand2helpersandagreattaskforce.Weallmetupbeforethecoursestartedtotrainandprayforthecourseandguests.Eachweekweprayed

aheadofthesession.Wecouldnothavedoneitwithoutprayer.Theleaderswereabletomakeiteveryweek,despitemuchneedto

travelduringthecourse.AlltheteamworkedtogetherwonderfullyandwehadarealsensethatGodwascarryingusallthrough.

Encourageteams,howeversmalltoprayandwaitontheLordforwordsorpicturesaheadofthehealingsession.Wedidjustthisattheprayersbeforethesession.Oneoftheleadershadawordaboutanearproblem.WelatersharedthatwiththeAlphagroup,but

nothingwassaid.Attheendoftheeveningoneofthehelperscameupandsaidthatshehadbeensufferingwithtinnitusforyearsbutsaidnothingearlierasshethoughtthewordcouldonlybeforoneoftheguests!Whatanencouragementitwastoherandtousall.It

buildsupexpectationandfaithforthefuturetoo.WeweresopleasedthatwewaitedontheLordforwhateverHewishedtosay

tous.‐RebeccaTaylor,Warwickshire,UK

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4.3PrayerforMissionTrips(GAT)‘Theharvestisplentiful,buttheworkersarefew.

AsktheLordoftheharvest,therefore,tosendoutworkersintohisharvestfield.’(Luke10:1‐2)

Prayerandevangelisationgohandinhand.WhenyouaregoingonamissiontripyouareGod’shandsandfeetgoingoutandspreadingthegoodnews.Itisthereforeimportanttoensurethatyou,yourteamandthetripitselfareadequatelysupportedinprayerateverystagefromtheplanningrightthroughtowhenyoureturn.Herethenaresomewaysinwhichyoucanensureyourtripiscoveredinprayer:

1. Prayregularlyasateam–Prayeristhemostimportantthingyoucandoinpreparingforanevent.ItensuresthatateverystageyouarekeepingyourfocusonJesusandbringsyouclosertogetherasateam.

2. Setupaprayerwheel‐Beforeyougoaskpeopletocommittoprayingforyoureventforonehoureachday.Knowingthatpeopleareprayingforyouwhileyouareawayisagreatcomfort.

3. Haveonepointofcontactbackhome‐Insteadofsendinglotsofemailstodifferentpeopledesignateonepersonasyourpointofcontactwhoyoucansendprayerrequeststowhocanthendistributethemtoeveryonewhoisprayingforyouwhileyouareaway.Thispersoncouldalsosendyouanypropheticpicturesofwordsofknowledgewhichpeoplehavehadfortheteam.It’salwaysgreattoreceivewordsofencouragement.

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4. Praymorningandnightduringthetrip–It’sagreatideaduringyourdailyprayermeetingstocheckhoweveryoneisdoing.Youaregoingouttodoamazingthingsbutthiscanbeverychallengingandtiring.Issueswhichmaynormallybesmallandeasytohandlemaybecomemagnifiedsoit’svitaltopraytogetherandcheckregularlyhoweveryoneis.

5. Sharestories–Whileyouareawayyouaregoingtohearallsortsofamazingstoriesandyou’llseeandhearamazinganswerstoprayer.Sharethestories!Hearingthattheirprayershavebeenansweredwillbuildthefaithofeveryonewhohasbeenprayingforyouwhileyoubeenaway.Itwillalsoinspireotherstostepoutoftheircomfortzoneandgoonamissiontrip.

Casestudy–GlobalAlphaTrainingTeamprayforprisoninmates,Zambia

‘Whatawonderfulexperiencetheprisonvisitwas.WethoughtwemightjustseeafewinmateswhoweredoingtheAlphaCourse.WewereescortedintothePrisoncourtyardwhere1052inmateswerereadyandwaitingtohearaboutAlpha,wantingtoreceivesomeversesfromthebibleandsomeprayersofhopeandblessingsintotheirlives.Attheendwhenwesaidthe"sorry,thankyou,please"prayer,justincaseonepersonwantedtogivetheirlifetoChrist,weasked"howmanypeoplerespondedtothatprayer"and80%oftheinmatesputuptheirhands.Wow!Whatanemotionalexperiencethiswas.WedidnottakeJesusintotheprison;Hewasalready

there‐bigtime!"

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5.PRAYERRESOURCES

Recommendedbooks

TheArtofPrayer(SU)byTimothyJones

TheChurchonItsKnees(Alpha)byJeremyJennings

The24‐7PrayerManual(Cook)

IntercessoryPrayer(Regal)byDutchSheets

RedMoonRising(Cook)byPeteGreig&DaveRoberts

GodonMute(Kingsway)byPeteGreig

ListeningtoGod(Hodder)byJoyceHuggett

RecommendedonlineResources

www.24‐7Prayer.com

www.htb.org.uk/prayer

TheLord’sPrayerTeachingSeriesfromHTBbyPeteGreig:Aninepartjourneythroughthe‘OurFather’exploringdifferentaspectsandapproachestoprayer.Availablefrom:www.htb.org.uk/media

BibleinOneYearwithNickyGumbelwww.htb.org.uk/one‐year‐bible

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Resourcescurrentlyunderdevelopment

ThePrayerCourse:A5‐10weekjourneyforsmallgroupsgoingdeeperinprayer.

Formoreinformationemailprayer@htb.org.uk

‘Nowtohimwhois

abletodoimmeasurablymorethanallweaskorimagine,according

tohispowerthatisatworkwithinus,tohimbegloryinthechurchandinChrist

Jesusthroughoutallgenerations,foreverandever!Amen.’

(Ephesians3:20‐21)

Alpha & 24-7Prayer

alpha.org