Group Prayer Formats—Benefits and Cons
Compiled by Lewis Turner
Wheatland Ministries
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Group Prayer
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Circle Prayer
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Triplet Prayer
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2x2 Prayer
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Description:
A group of people
who have come together for prayer. The group may be small or a large
group, IE a whole church praying together.
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Description:
A group of people
joined in prayer around a circle.
(A table that you
sit down at is optional, but could be helpful. An example might be a
round table.)
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Description:
A group of 3 people
praying together.
Scriptural
basis: a three fold cord is not easily broken. See Ec 4:12
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Description:
2 people praying
together
Mt 18:19
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Benefits:
*There is often time
for several to join in with an ‘Amen’ when one finishes praying. Amen
can actually be a prayer of agreement, it is use in that context, brings
others into joining the prayer time.
*While others are
praying, it allows time to seek the Lord on issues.
*A time for the
whole church or a group to pray together. Lends itself to church unity.
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Benefits:
*Time permitting,
everyone gets an opportunity to pray, especially if prayers are kept short.
*People have the
opportunity to pray for each other
*Sense of belonging
*Support (by several
others in the group)
*Encouragement
*May allow time for
focused prayer on a person’s needs.
*Hear others pray
*Good eye contact
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Benefits:
*Prayer power
cumulative.
*Often can focus on
prayer for others.
*Encouragement
*Relationship
builder
*Hearing others pray
*With ground rules
in place it can be a place of safety when praying.
*Support
*less awkward when
one or two are opposite in gender.
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Benefits:
*Prayer power
cumulative.
*Often can focus on
prayer for others.
*Encouragement
*Relationship
builder
*Hearing others pray
*With ground rules
in place it can be a place of safety when praying.
*Support
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Cons:
*Time constraints
for everyone to participate.
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Cons:
*If it is expected
that everyone pray, and you do not want to pray at that time, for what ever
reason, you have an awkward situation.
*some may pray too
long, barring others from praying.
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Cons:
*When you do not
come together in humility and love for each other, that lack of humility will
rob the group of the support and encouragement.
*Feeling you have to
pray.
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Cons:
*When you do not
come together in humility and love for each other, that lack of humility will
rob the group of the support and encouragement.
*Feeling you have to
pray.
*Can be an awkward
situation when 2 of the opposite gender, other than one’s spouse.
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©Sep 2013 Lewis Turner
