Outline for an Intercessory Prayer Meeting
For a group of 3-20, for approx 1 hour. Gather in a comfortable circle, in a quiet place. One person should lead the meeting. That person should initiate all the transitions.
Praise
Come to the Lord in a free spirit of praise and thanksgiving. Use guitar, acapella voices, worship music on a speaker, sentence prayers of praise, words of God’s attributes, a reading of a jubilant Psalm - essentially whatever works.
Confession
Open up a time of confession. Offer the participants the freedom of speaking out loud or internally to the Lord, whichever is safe. A gentle nudge toward out loud, as a move towards freedom is encouraged, and can be modeled by the leader. It will enhance the vulnerability and honesty of the group. The leader can close with a blanket confession, “Lord we offer you the sins we know and those we don’t know, please have mercy as we come to pray.” Remember together that God is faithful to forgive if we confess our sin. (I John 1:9)
Protection
Pray prayers of protection such as “hide us in the shelter of your wings Lord (Psalm 61:4)”. Ask that what happens in this prayer time would be only the Lord’s will and that together we would be kept far from the evil one.
Prayer topic
Explain to the group what the prayer topic is. This has been discerned earlier by the leader. It should be clear and specific, so that one would know in the future whether or not there was an answer.
Listening
Open up a time of silence to incline the members ears to the Lord regarding the prayer topic. The question here is “Lord how do you want us to pray for this?” or even, “How are you praying for this?” (given that Jesus is at the right hand of the father making intercession for us - Romans 8:34). Move into silence for at least five minutes. This can be uncomfortable at first, but press in.
Individuals may “hear” God in many different ways. Some may have: a scripture come to mind, an image or picture form in their mind’s eye, a strong impression or idea, a memory, a bodily sensation (like a pain in the chest, or sinking feeling in the gut), or absolutely nothing.
Reporting and Discerning
Go around the circle and share what each one received from God. The leader should encourage humility in sharing (“I thinkthis was from God”) as well as boldness for those who may be reluctant to speak. As each one shares, ask the group to listen for common themes, or for God to highlight a particular word. Discus together what it seems that God is saying and agree on a plan for prayer.
Intercession
Pray into that specific area, as the group is led. Pray until you get a sense of “breakthrough” in the spiritual realm. Often you can denote breakthrough as the tone of prayer shifts from fervency to peace. Trust that a shift has been made in the spiritual realm and look forward to seeing the answers to the prayers offered in the natural realm.
Closing
Close by thanking the Lord for leading and guiding you and giving you the chance to pray. Bless the participants. End at the agreed upon time, so as to honor those that came.
Source: Connie Anderson adaption of Hallie Cowen’s adaptation of a YWAM prayer guide.
