Seek Week Prayer Training

Core Values

LOVE AND COMPASSION – The goal for anyone receiving prayer is to feel loved. Create a space for people to encounter a loving God by showing them love and compassion. We pray like Jesus “having compassion” for those suffering. When you are confronted with another's suffering, we feel motivated to relieve that suffering.

BIBLICAL AUTHORITY AND ALIGNMENT WITH SCRIPTURE – We pray under the authority of Scripture, submitting to the Bible for our worldview and praying in a way that is consistent with who God reveals himself to be in the Bible.

DIGNITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL – We want to ensure people are being treated with respect, being aware that receiving prayer can be sensitive and vulnerable.

For this reason, we…

Affirm, without condemning

Avoid intensity

Pray with same gender whenever possible

Maintain confidentiality (barring unsafe exceptions)

Encourage to return/ continue to seek prayer again

OPENNESS TO THE SPIRIT – We pray, and ask others to pray, as a response to the Holy Spirit in a way that leaves room for the Spirit to speak, work and direct us as we pray.

SIMPLICITY – When we pray, we don’t need to be elaborate, overbearing, wordy, or over-spiritual. Our goal should be to normalize the Spirit’s activity to help enable others recieve from and encounter God.

Prayer Model

INTRO AND ASK – Give full attention. Be natural, normal.

· Ask the person for his or her name

· How can I pray for you? 

· Ask permission – Can I place my hand on your shoulder? (When in person)

· Explain you are going to wait on the Lord silently before praying out loud

WAIT/LISTEN – Be a non-anxious presence. Be confident, knowing that it is God who ministers to his people. We want to partner with him by helping to create a safe and loving environment for others to encounter him.

· Invite the Lord to Come – “Come Holy Spirit” 

· Wait, listen and discern

o Take time to allow the Holy Spirit to come and minister to the person you are praying for

While you wait…

· Ask the Lord, “Is there anything you want me to share?” How might God speak? 

o A word, picture, thought, phrase, scripture, emotion

PRAY

· Keep eyes open

· Observe body language and watch what God is doing through the person’s physical expressions

· Use your normal tone of voice

· Pray simple prayers - these are not formulas, but helpful ways of joining in with what God is doing

• “Come Holy Spirit”, “More Lord”, “Thank You, God”, “Lord, we bless what you are doing”

· If you sense a prompting from the Lord… 

• Say it with confidence, in love and humility

• Use phrases like “I’m not sure if this is from me or the Lord

• Normalize responses of crying or laughing…the Spirit moves people in a variety of ways

· If you don’t hear anything, that’s ok – pray simply, honestly and God will do what he does 

DEBRIEF

· When finished with prayer, ask the person if anything that was said stood out or connected with them. If not, don’t worry about it—we never know what God is up to when we pray, it’s our job to simply be obedient

· Ask if they would like more prayer

· Encourage them in their walk with the Lord and connection to a faith community 

· Remind them to continue seeking prayer on their own and with others

The Goal:

Everyone should walk away feeling loved, encouraged and cared for!