Chart-Group Prayer Formats

Group Prayer Formats—Benefits and Cons

Compiled by Lewis Turner

Wheatland Ministries

Group Prayer	Circle Prayer	Triplet Prayer	2x2 Prayer
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.	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.)	Description: A group of 3 people praying together. Scriptural basis:  a three fold cord is not easily broken.  See Ec 4:12	Description: 2 people praying together Mt 18:19
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.	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	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.	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
Cons: *Time constraints for everyone to participate.	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.	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.	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.

 ©Sep 2013 Lewis Turner