*Editor's Note: Here's my latest submission to our congregation's monthly newsletter.
Have you ever been asked, “Will you
lead us in prayer?”
It need not be a heart-stopping moment. In fact, it’s a
natural step up from personal prayer.
When we pray alone, we thank God for His blessings and ask Him for help.
Doing that with comfort –
in front of a group – comes with practice. Why not start now, with
mealtime at home or in a small group at church? Here are a few
pointers:
Keep it
simple.
· Address God
aloud so all present can hear you.
· Thank
Him for this time together in this
place. (Church, home, town hall, hospital, restaurant, etc.)
· Ask His
blessings upon those gathered for whatever purpose the gathering
occurs. (Worship, fellowship, missionary work, celebration, problem-solving or
whatever the case may be.)
· Lift up
others unable to be present. (Maybe, those who are ill or serving in the
military, and especially those for whom this meeting will benefit. For example,
a quilters’ meeting benefits the quilt recipients.)
· Ask Him to
send His Spirit to guide the group so
that all might know His love, joy and peace.
· Close the
prayer: In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Be
genuine. There’s no need to use fluffy
words or phrases. So, relax!
Believe God
hears YOU! In the gospel of Luke, just a few verses
after the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus says: “Ask and you will receive. Seek and you
will find. Knock and the door will be opened.”
Trust
HIM, as did Our Lord Jesus Christ, by
finishing those requests with “Not my will, but yours, be done.”
Amen.
