t's fairly straightforward to organise a simple training day to help people develop a better discipline in their prayer life and to help them try out things that they've never tried before.
First you need to decide what topics you want to cover. We tried three aspects of prayer Saying Sorry, Saying Thank You and Asking Please Help.
Secondly you need to decide what format to adopt for the learning. We wanted a workshop using the carousel technique. The carousel is straightforward. You split your day into as many time slots as you have topics. Each time slot runs all three topics. Individual people can then mix and match their carousel of learning. The advantage of this approach is that groups are kept small and intimate for real sharing and discussion.
To ensure everyone benefits from all the discussion that has taken place build in a plenary (all together) feedback session.
Make sure to introduce the approach being used and finish the training with a short time of worship.
Next choose your session leaders and get them to prepare, prepare and prepare under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and their own prayer time. Sessions should be no more than 50 - 60 minutes in length and should vary their content - input, discussion, write up etc
Then arrange all your support people - those who will look after the domestics, the room set up, the lighting and heating, the equipment and the teas, coffees and lunch. Arrange too any support materials for the day eg books on prayer. (CLC and SPK both have arrangements for allowing you to have books on a "sale or return" basis, whilst the Sheffield Christian Education Centre will provide you with books to display and take order for the books to then be purchased at a discount through them.)
We've outlined a day on prayer that worked extremely well for us - you could use that as a starting point for training of your own.
Dronfield Baptist Church - Training on Prayer Day
Programme
Please register your workshop preference
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Morning Registration and Sign Up |
9.15 – 9.30 |
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Introduction and point out Prayer and Request Board |
9.30 – 9.45 |
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Workshop 1
Thank You |
Workshop 1
Sorry |
Workshop 1
Please |
9.50 – 10.50 |
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Coffee – a chance to use the Prayer and Request Board |
10.50 – 11.10 |
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Workshop 2
Thank You |
Workshop 2
Sorry |
Workshop 2
Please |
11.10 – 12.10 |
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Lunch – another chance to use the Prayer and Request Board |
12.15 – 1.00 |
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Brief introduction to afternoon session |
1.00 – 1.10 |
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A time of meditation and response to prayer and request board |
1.10 – 1.30 |
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Workshop 3
Thank You |
Workshop 3
Sorry |
Workshop 3
Please |
1.30 – 2.30 |
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Tea available – help yourself |
2.30 – 2.50 |
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Plenary and action plan - 9 groups @ max 5 mins. |
2.50 – 3.50 |
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Worship, Prayer and Close |
3.50 – 4.05 |
There will also be two bookstalls with a range of appropriate resources.
Tea and coffee will be provided but please bring your own lunch.
Workshop title: "Sorry"
Delivery 10 – 15 mins }
Discussion 30 – 40 mins } Max 1 hour
Outcome 10 – 15 mins }
Content:
What; Where; When; Why; How; Who
Look how Jesus did it.
Sorry, self examination, a place of sincerity, scrutiny, idolatry, confession, sacrifice, sanctification, cleansing, 10 Commandments, fasting.
Differentiate/define each area. Scripture references, other writings/traditions,
Literary references and prayer guides. Authors.
Any other sources.
Outcome:
- 3 minutes for plenary session report back on discussion.
- A contribution for the act of worship at the end of the day. (one of the three groups)
- A contribution and person for the next church service/prayer meeting/other group meeting.
Workshop title: "Thank You"
Delivery 10 – 15 mins }
Discussion 30 – 40 mins } Max 1 hour
Outcome 10 – 15 mins }
Content:
What; Where; When; Why; How; Who
Look how Jesus did it.
Thank you, Adoration, Worship, Praise, Meditation
Differentiate/define each area. Scripture references.
Literary references and prayer guides. Authors.
Any other sources.
Outcome:
- 3 minutes for plenary session report back on discussion.
- A contribution for the act of worship at the end of the day. (one of the three groups)
- A contribution and person for the next church service/prayer meeting/other group meeting.
Workshop title: "Please"
Delivery 10 – 15 mins }
Discussion 30 – 40 mins } Max 1 hour
Outcome 10 – 15 mins }
Content:
What; Where; When; Why; How; Who
Look how Jesus did it.
Please, intercession, in whose name we pray (the name of Jesus), to the Father, through the Spirit, Power of intercession, Tears of intercession, fasting.
Differentiate/define each area. Scripture references, other writings/traditions,
Literary references and prayer guides. Authors.
Sources:
Newspapers, news (TV), prayer chains, prayer tree, fellowship groups, workplace, friends, neighbours, family, mission, government, prayer guides, missionary letters, Amnesty, etc. prayer groups, plus any other sources.
Outcome:
- 3 minutes for plenary session report back on discussion.
- A contribution for the act of worship at the end of the day. (one of the three groups)
- A contribution and person for the next church service/prayer meeting/other group meeting.