What happened and and How

During March and April 2015, I Tweeted to likely accounts (like @C_of_E, @247Prayer and other church related organisations national and local) and then invited, by personal message, known Christian contacts related to my Facebook account. These were invitations to go to a survey hosted on Qualtrics.com where 14 questions were asked.

The questions asked and the report of the responses can be found below the commentary which forms the first moiety of this post. The commentary doesn’t aim at this point to be exhaustive. My aim at this point is to pick out things that help with the first purpose of doing this little piece of research: to inform the writing of a monograph or book on social praying for prayer leaders.

Commentary on Responses and Questionnaire.

Gender
It’s interesting to note that more men than women answered. This may be because the recruitment of respondents came latterly through my own contacts mostly on Facebook many of whom are men. In the initial stages of collection I was mainly using Twitter to recruit and that seemed to produce mostly female respondents.
Age and involvement
Quite a bell-curve sort of result. Again my collection method may have affected this. The biggest proportion of answers were given by people in their 40s (32%) followed by those in their 50s (25%) totalling 57% of responses. Those in their 30s and 60s each contributed 14% of the answers (running total 85%) the rest divided evenly between responders in their 20s and 70s. This age profile is probably what enabled a high number for the question asking how long respondents had been involved in prayer meetings: 83% gave “11 years or more” as their answer. This gives me confidence that the answers given represent a good slice of human experience. The next highest figure (9%) was for those involved between 6 and 10 years. So again confidence is given by that figure that more than passing experience is represented.
Contexts for experience of prayer meetings
This was question 5 and invited free expression of answers by simply writing the response. So what follows is an attempt on my part to summarise and aggregate a variety of answers. A lot of answers mentioned house groups (also “cell groups”, “small groups” “Bible Study groups” and “young peoples’ groups”) and church contexts of various kinds. Some mentioned various kinds of para-church agencies and Christian events such as conferences, weekends away, retreats and festivals (Spring Harvest and Soul Survivor got explicit mentions). There were some specific mentions of leadership contexts of various sorts (PCC, leadership teams, clergy and ministers’ meetings). Family settings were mentioned. The Church of England was explicitly mentioned a few times and implied in several answers (most notably by the acronym ‘PCC’), other denominational settings were also mentioned or implied (Elim, Baptist, Pentecostal, URC, New Frontiers, Methodist and several answers saying or implying ecumenical contexts including Roman Catholic participants) and some fresh expressions settings too (Forest Church).
Altogether, there was quite a wide range of contexts mentioned both in church terms and in meta-church terms. Christian Unions were mentioned several times mostly related to university and a handful of mentions of chaplaincies. There were some mentions of work-based groups.
Personal reasons for participating (Q.6)
This was question 6 and was asking respondents to give, in their own words, reasons why they personally attended prayer meetings. Answers included the following, in some cases I’ve had to interpret answers in order to cluster them together.
Biblical: it’s commended in scripture.
It strengthens our relationship with God.
It strengthens our fellowship with one another.
We are called to it.
It is enjoyable.
It is an aspect of doing God’s work in the world.
It’s part of a church discipline/ethos.
It’s easier to pray with others.
It strengthens our prayer.
Corporate discernment.
Learning from others.
Supporting one another.
The word ‘duty’ was used a handful of times and some other answers implied it. Some answers indicated that more than petitionary prayer was valued as part of praying socially.
It is worth noting a small handful of responses indicating that some had given up being part of prayer meetings.
Motivations (Q.8 and Q.10)
Complementing the question (no.6) asking for self-generated answers as to what personal reason people might give, Q.8 asked for motivations to be selected from a list and rated for their importance. This had the effect of getting a sense of the relative importance of the motivations I had anticipated. The top motivation in this survey was listening to and praying along with other people’s prayers encourages me in my faith. This reason was followed by It strengthens my own prayer life and then It is Biblical and so we should do it. We should also note the relative significance of the fourth highest answer, it helps me to feel connected to what God is doing in the world.
It’s also interesting to notice what the answer was that was rated as least important to most respondents: ‘Agreeing in prayer’ is a better guarantee of answers to prayer. I personally find this interesting in that my impression is that this is often given as a reason to commend social praying. I wonder whether the low rating for it might be down to an awareness that it is theologically problematic; that God isn’t swayed by sheer numbers.
Question 10 asked people to add to the list of reasons to attend. A number of responses mentioned things to do with hearing God and discerning God’s leading in the social prayer context including the way that a group can challenge ones own takes on situations. This was put especially adroitly by one response, “helps me reflect on my own prejudices when I would be praying the opposite”. Some answers drew attention to the information-gleaning value of sharing prayers.
The best things
This is Q.7. A large proportion of responses were about a sense of God’s presence or action in and through the group and being part of something bigger than the group or individual. This might relate to quite a lot of other answers about [comm]unity or bringing people together in fellowship and sharing. A number of answers mentioned an affective dimension of encouragement, enthusiasm and passion, connecting with others and God, one answer explicitly mentioned a sense of intimacy and solidarity grown among members.
Some answers mentioned how group praying can strengthen prayer where praying on ones own might be frail or fail and the insights that others can bring to praying and relating to God.
Some answers testified to the intimacy that can be fomented in praying socially. This probably arises from the sharing of personal concerns and interests, the sense of shared endeavour and solidarity fostered and, over time, the growth of trust.

One thing to do better…
Q.11 in the report. Sometimes suggestions conflict or would work against one another. Suggestions to do with …
Guarding people’s time, and not wasting it
Suggestions of this type concerned timing meetings to fit well with people’s commitments, for example to have a meeting before or after another church event. Short meetings are okay and so are short prayers.
content of prayers and meetings
“Navel gazing” was mentioned negatively. Presumably this is when a group are very introspective or concerned with the spiritual lives of its members without that being balanced by wider concerns.
Some concerns are expressed about unchristian attitudes, bad assumptions and didactic or preachy ‘prayers’.
Long prayers and wordiness were mentioned as needing addressing much because it disabled other people’s contributions. Outdated or clichéd language could do the same.
One comment suggested that sharing and explaining prayer concerns at the start is good because it saves things being explained mid prayer, so to speak. Some comments were concerned at people apparently being expected to pray about things they know little about -a danger when working from pre-distributed lists. One suggested banning such lists.
Keep prayers simple.
Training/orientation
Some recognition that people may not really know how to participate without some kind of explanation and/or direction or discussion and example. The danger is that people overemphasise self-expression at the expense of consideration of the group or of charity towards those who might be the subject of prayer.
Several comments relate to the idea of helping people to know the groundrules of a group.
Some comments want people to understand praying together in the big picture of being involved with God and God’s work.
improving ‘repertoire’ / avoiding being formulaic.
This could be to have different ways of praying together; changing the sizes of groups, different topics for prayer, Silence, using stations, changing structure of the meeting, writing prayers, sharing poems, single words naming a country or situation, randomising selection of topics, using different media, call and response,
One suggestion was to vary the leadership of group.
A suggestion to start wit praise
Leadership and administration
One answer suggests that regular intercessory meetings should be ad hoc for particular needs as they arise. Regular meetings should be for “soul work”.
One practical idea presumably presupposing a meeting where concerns are shared before praying, suggests writing down on a board or somesuch names etc so that people are not having to remember a lot of stuff when it comes to praying, and can refer to the notes.
Another suggestion was to have written guidelines to help participants know what is expected and what is considered unhelpful. Even if not written, it is good to help group members to know if there is an order for prayers or whether it is totally free, that it is okay not to pray out loud,
Leaders need to listen to God and to the participations.
Consider whether there should be acknowledged ways to start and finish.
Creating a relaxed atmosphere.

What keeps other Christians from being part of prayer meetings more regularly or at all?
This is on the list as Q.12. The question asks for the respondent’s opinion. So these answers are speculative but in many cases are probably related to personal conversations and relationships with those who don’t attend social prayer gatherings. Remember that a large proportion of the respondents have been involved in prayer meetings for a decade or more which would give them a good likelihood of  encountering others who might be less convinced by prayer group attendance. So in my judgement we should take the offered reasons seriously when they are reported more than once. There is some room for interpretation as the answers are free-form.
Several answers confirm the question’s suggestion of time, accessibility and transport. Obviously, it is the further suggestions that are of interest but the confirmation of those other factors should not be ignored or downplayed.
Reasons ‘from outside looking in’ to groups
Fear of praying out loud; perceptions of cliqueyness; not knowing what is expected or involved (several answers); feeling unqualified or underconfident to pray in a group (several); lack of prioritising or importance; lack of confidence in value of prayer; not in the church culture; organised worship covers it;
Presumably from experience:
wordy praying; feeling inadequate (outfaced by others’ eloquence, mentioned a large number of times); feeling inauthentic; heavy-handed ministry in groups (including controlling leadership and prescriptive ethos); finding them boring or aimless (shopping lists, lack of ‘answers’, dutiful and lacking passion); a couple of mentions of matters relating to introversion and embarrassment; burnout and discouragement;
Interesting comments:
There is a mention of the preponderance of women in church life including prayer groups which the respondent thinks may put men off. Of course, it is worth putting beside this that most of the respondents are men. This may indicate that there might be a place for men-only meetings (which may have been the reason for the popularity among men of men’s prayer breakfasts and the like).
“they pray and then someone else prays for exactly the same thing at much greater length, can feel like an implicit criticism”; “I think prayer meetings are often set up for particular personality types or spiritual styles and don’t suit a wide range.”; “Lots of people feel inadequate and think that everyone else knows.”.
Experience of difficulties in prayer meetings
First, responses to set suggestions in Q.13 which are shown on a graph. The figures show very few response gave “every time” for any answers. In most cases, therefore, “quite often” and “very often” are the most interesting figures. In some cases, “rarely” or “not often”. These are, of course very imprecise and impressionistic and so their value is mostly to do with perceptions, however, in the aggregate, they have value in helping us to understand the scale of some of the difficulties.
A stand-out figure is in the “never” column. Most of the figures in that column are 1 or 2 responses. That against “participants interrupting or praying over one another” (suggestion 9) is 13 and the bigger part of the rest of the figures are in the columns for “rarely” or “sometimes”. This is an interesting set of answers because the question is predicated on the idea that interruptions or speaking over one another is not uncommon in lively discussions. Therefore, a lack of such in prayer meetings indicates that a different dynamic of interpersonal interaction is taking place. My hypothesis is that most prayer meetings are not conversational prayer but rather serial led-prayer. That is they are not about interacting human-to-human with God, but rather human-to-God in the presence of other humans.
My hypothesis is that in many prayer meetings, some individuals tend to speak long prayers and /or mis/use their ‘air time’ to put over their own takes on things (sermonising). This is a problem because it leads to boredom, resentment and disengagement. It’s interesting to note that the figures for dominating participation by some are very similar to those for overlong prayers and sermonising: it is likely that these behaviours are closely related in many cases. So, it is helpful to get a sense that this is a problem; not all of the time but at least some of the time in many cases.
Relatedly, it’s also interesting to note that people praying in Christian jargon is quite common. My reason for asking that is to establish that participants don’t treat the meeting as conversation but as a special domain in which certain registers of speech are not appropriate and others are. It’s important to notice that the stated intention that people speak naturally in prayer meetings is mostly wrong (and to consider why or how). It is worth keeping with that the responses about singing which indicate that while this has some ‘never’ answers, the figures for occasional or use quite often are only a little lower than for jargon use. I think that this may reinforce the previous point. I would expect some degree of inverse correlation between these and experiencing interruptions because interrupting etc is part of a normal conversation.
The questions about considering what is right to pray about and silent waiting on God both have responses clustering towards the never, rarely and not often end of the scale. I was concerned to ask about this because of wanting to get a sense of how far groups might get past shopping list praying or feel able to hold conversations which probe such issues -or perhaps even consider that it might be something to incorporate into the agenda of the meeting.
Encouraging others to join in
Question 14 asks what reasons people might feel are most persuasive to encourage others to be part of prayer meetings. This was meant to be a way to gain a sense of what the perceived barriers to participation might be with a supposition that the perceptions might be based to some degree on experience. Many of the answers echoed earlier answers about difficulties, which seems to support my suspicion.
The barriers addressed by the answers include: exclusiveness, bad leadership, fears about the hows of participation, not understanding the benefits, not knowing the rationale,
Reassuring people that they don’t have to pray aloud was the single most given reason.

More than praying in public worship?
In response to Question 15, responses to the idea that praying in a church service suffices for engagement in corporate prayer were asked for.
A good number of responses indicated that such a position is okay or to be respected. This may be something that other respondents might disagree with quite strongly, I suspect, if they come from a non-‘liturgical’ tradition.
Some responses were based on the idea that social prayer might be an enrichment of ones existing prayer life. The enrichments envisaged varied from simply suggesting variety to finding the prayer group a source of support and encouragement sometimes by dint of not being alone and developing community. Others emphasised that a prayer group might be a place of discovery and learning where we could try out new things.
There was only one response that explicitly gave a biblical rationale. A few other touched on theological reasons such as God working in community and the role of the Holy Spirit.
Other responses were simply to encourage someone to give it a try (presumably in circumstances where the group worked reasonably well).
Other responses identified that often public worship prayers were more general whereas a prayer group might be more focused and also have a dimension of praying that could be about waiting on God for leading in prayer.

Further comments
These are in response to question 16.
Comments on leadership: working to respect and not abuse the trust and confidentiality of a group; not imposing an agenda on the group; enabling exploration of different prayer styles. Another comment mentioned the value of having a structured approach so that people know what they are coming to.
Mention is made a couple of times of using forms of prayer other than petitionary and praise/thanksgiving. A few mentions of silent and meditative prayer were made. One comment mentioned multi-media approaches. Another comments that learning to sing unaccompanied together could be beneficial.
There was one comment to remind us that mixed gender groups can be difficult for some.
Another comment talked about enabling children to pray with adults.
There was one comment that reflected that prayers interrupting one another or praying over another was increasingly taking place and was a bad thing. This relates to some issues above.

Report

Modified: 08/04/2015
Q2. First of all, it is quite useful to know a few general things about you. This is to help interpret the answers when they are all collected together. What is your gender?
Female 30 43%
Male 39 57%

Total 69 100%

Q3. Regarding your age, are you in your …?

Teens 0 0%
Twenties 5 =7%
Thirties 10 =14%
Forties 22 =32%
fifties 17 =25%
Sixties 10 =14%
Seventies 5 =7%
Eighty plus 0 =0%
prefer not to say 0 =0%

Total 69 =100%

Q4. How long have you been involved in prayer meetings? -Whether regularly, or occasionally. (A reminder of what is meant: a prayer meeting is understood as a meeting of 4 or more people to pray together about matters that the group agree on and where prayers are said out loud in participants’ own words)

Less than 2 years 4 =6%
2-5 years 2 =3%
6-10 years 6 =9%
11 years or more 57 =83%

Total 69 =100%e

Q5. What contexts have you experienced meeting for prayer in? Please write in the churches or Christian organisations or other kinds of context where you have been part of a prayer meeting. This might include house group meetings, local churches, conferences, Christian events and so forth.(A reminder of what is meant: a prayer meeting is understood as a meeting of 4 or more people to pray together about matters that the group agree on and where prayers are said out loud in participants’ own words)
Text Response
Church house groups. Most of these experiences were in evangelical churches and in the past. I now attend mainstream Anglican churches where prayer meetings like this are rare
Church, House Group, PCC, College, Events, Special interest groups. Diocesan groups.
Local church
house group
Samaritan’s Purse meetings and conference
prayer team meeting at church leader’s home
local church, house group, Christian events
C of E churches, home groups/Bible studies, university bible study groups, church weekly prayer mtg, events e.g. weekends away, conferences etc.
Youth groups, local churches, specific prayer groups, conferences, with family.
Church, church leadership team, life group, informal friendship groups, specific prayer groups (for a specific item)
Church, home group, work
Small groups in parish, small groups while training. Small groups in the armed forces.
Church, small groups
All of the above
cathedrals and local churches, house groups and conferences
house groups
house group meetings, local churches, conferences, Christian events, (beennnnnnn attending prayer meetings for 40 years)
Christian Union, local church, ecumenical group
Christian Union at University prayer meetings, Elim Church weekly prayer meeting, 24/7 prayer rooms, 24/7 prayer training weekend, Church of England prayer meetings.
Prayer within house groups for Elim and CofE, and Forest Church Team meetings.
Home groups, church, mission events, clergy events (rare – not much prayer happens when clergy gather), church leadership team, PCC
In various churches over the course of 45 years; as part of the mission organisation Operation Mobilisation
Home group, church, conferences, Christian organisation eg community art gallery, either for organised events or smaller team meetings
Prayer lunch at my own church, St. Thomas, Dagenham. United prayers meetings for Dagenham. Mothers Union meetings.
House groups, churches, contemplative prayer meetings, retreats.
Church: meeting in church to pray for the church’s mission.
Prison Fellowship
Christian community centre
Local church
local C of E churches
Church, house group, corporate office (video con)
As a participant, as a group leader in my teens, and now nearly 30 years in ordained ministry.
Never attended one
Church, full gospel business mens fellowship, prayer walks, churches together, regional and national Street Angels / CNI Network prayer
Protestant Mission Order Among the Poor
Charismatic Evangelical Churches
Northumbria Community
All of those that you highlight & for a short while in the office @ City Hall.
All the above examples and specific stuff for holiday clubs etc. A regular prayer4growth meeting which focusses solely on church growth.
House Group and local church
Anglican churches, school christian union, university christian union
Church
Work
Christian organizations
Various local churches, house groups, Alpha, Spring Harvest, prayer cell
Triplets; house groups; prayer groups; conferences; synods and church meetings; New Wine; theogical college
Churches, Conferences, Cell Groups, Ministers Fraternal, Deanery Chapter
House groups of various sizes, church prayer meetings, staff meetings, summer camps, conferences
Conferences small groups and had privilege of hosting them on both a small and large scale.
house group meetings
christian events eg spring harvest
church meetings
church away weekends
christian union – university
Theological college, parish church, chaplaincy groups
Christian Union prayer triplets at university.
House groups at local church.
Shared Ministry Development Team, (PCC sub-group)
A lot in local churches, usually in small group settings; house groups, cell groups, teams of people focused on a particular aspect of mission, etc. Also some experience in whole church prayer meetings, or gatherings of many churches, also of church leaders’ meetings. Also ecumenical prayer meetings for the city where I live and work.
Various. Churches, conferences, small groups.
Young People’s Group; University Christian Union; Home Group; Christian conferences; Bishops’ meetings; Clergy meetings…
United benefice church (Anglican /Methodist), house Bible study, house contemplation
Churches
Bible study groups
Church monthly prayer meetings
At church, in conferences. At Bible study groups. At a coffee shop wbere a group of ladies meet for Bible study and prayer.
Christian Unions, churches: Baptist, Pentecostal, Anglican
Too many to list!
Anglican churches, Christian unions, charismatic conferences, Universty chaplaincies, house groups, alpha courses,
Youth groups, church meetings, gathering before worship, student groups (as chaplain)
All of the above
home groups, churches , conferences, special interest groups, acton groups, school groups, work based groups
In churches, in youth groups
House groups relating to a church congregation.
Church. Prayer triplets. Housgroups. Greenbelt. Northumbria Community. 24/7 prayer rooms and International conference. Easter retreats at Ampleforth abbey.
multiple church communities, church staff meetings, work staff meetings (world vision), church youth groups, planning committee meetings for numerous projects…
Church of England, New Frontiers, House Groups, Prophetic Meetings, Charismatic Mass, Leaders Meetings
Local church and home group and meeting with friends
Christian Union, local church, ecumenical group
Christian Unions/SCM groups, Evangelical Anglican churches, Soul Survivor and other festivals.
Church of England, house groups, ecumenical prayer meetings, retreats, civic services
All of the above and uni groups
Youth group, CU, local church (many different churches), home group, study group, ministry/staff team meeting, multiple conferences.
congregations, small groups, retreat days.
Church, religious community, christian organisation, house group, work.prayer group
House groups, conferences, chilling put with friends, local church
Total Responses 68

Q6. Thank you for telling something about your own background. We’d now like to ask you about more specific aspects of your experience of being part of prayer meetings. In this next section the questions are about what is valuable to you about being part of prayer meetings.First of all, in your own words, why do you participate in prayer meetings?
Text Response
I don’t much anymore.
I believe corporate prayer is biblical and effective.
Because pray matters. Our relationships with each other and with God are strengthene .
Pray works.
we are called to pray
I was invited to be part of the team and we were given some training by other agencies, with a special focus on prayers for healing. I love it.
At their best, they are a powerful expression of being disciples, being church – to be channels of God’s love to the world
Also an expected part of church involvement in the tradition to which my local church belongs (CofE open evangelical)
I believe there is power in praying together with others, in voicing prayers to God collectively and in the communion, unity and intimacy that develops in the group/community by doing so. It is also a way of manifesting the fundamental centrality of prayer in the Christian life. If we do not hold prayer meetings then where do we actually demonstrate/live the fact that prayer is important except behind closed doors where no one knows. I do think they are in many ways an imperfect symbol for a fundamental truth.
Easier to pray with others, feel less alone, concensus of opinion, hearing from God, shared experience, power in numbers
Fellowship, sense of duty
Because I feel that it is one activity that God is calling me to be part off and prayer is our way of interceding for others and for listening for what God might be saying to us.
Praying together encourages me in my own prayer and widens the areas I pray about when alone.
As a priest I have promised to say the office and I prefer to do it with other people. Prayer with others can be encouraging as we pray for each other and others echo our prayers. It also means we bother to turn up!
Expected of me
Why would I not?
I no longer do, other than as part of a home church liturgy.
The Bible tells us to gather in groups to pray, as well as individually. Prayer can be very powerful in all sorts of situations. Sometimes it just feels right to be there.
Because prayer is essential for the life of the church and often its easier in groups
I believe God answeres prayer, so it is a good thing to pray, and a Christian duty
I understand prayer as a way of strengthening my relationships with God, and I find it easier to pray alongside others. Coming together in prayer is a very powerful thing.
Fellowshi with others whilst still be able to commune with God.
Feeling of support, contact with God, community fellowship.
It connects me with God in the context of relationships with other Christians.
It encourages me to pray with faith because of numbers and I feel built up and strengthened in faith.
I can release passion verbally about something that is important to me and that I want to see happen.
I believe it changes things in the mystery of God’s plan for the world.
I believe it is a duty.
Perspective
Where 2-3 meet together, God is there also. And fellowship.Because I want to pray,
to pray with others,
by praying with others to make sure I get round to praying myself,
to learn from others in their prayer,
to bring my prayers to God,
to hear from God what he may want to say to me.
I don’t
Good to be together to focus on prayer for areas of need / seeking vision.
To sustain a relationship with God, as obedience to Christ; to connect with others on a deeper, spirit to spirit, soul to soul level; to discern the wisdom and intimate voice of God; to declare his victory in the heavenly realms; to engage my faith with his in seeking the redemption of the principalities and powers that currently reign over the world; to know that I am not alone; to have space to prophecy over my brothers and sisters in Christ; a core part of a rhythm of spiritual disciplines to sustain my own faith and nurture maturity in Christ; to connect by emotions to the deep movements of God’s spirit; to say thanks to my creator.
I have a freedom to speak prayer aloud which for some odd reason I don’t have anywhere else, that speaking adds a different dimension to the words. I also love to meet with people that give time to prayer, to worship with words in the presence of the prayer master.
Because I believe that prayer works and we are instructed to pray in the bible.
To share with others
It is sometimes easier to fous on prayer with others ariund.
Part of job as leader
I find it encouraging and supportive to share and pray with others.
It’s easier to pray in groups than alone for me; I like the freedom to pray while listening to God and others
Prayer is an incredibly important part of my Christian life – when we meet together to pay there is a greater sense of God’s presence and a greater power in our prayers
Part of the pattern of my life
In the past I participated because it was about groups of like minded people praying for each other, the area, the nation, and the world. Like a supernatural support group
good to pray together
praying for a common purpose
A chance to join with other Christians in fellowship & pray for our needs or the needs of others
For support and mutual encouragement.
Because I find solo prayers difficult!
Because they’re fun.
As a way of discerning together with other Christians the heart of God. Which in my experience often leads us to be encouraged in our faith, sometimes challenged towards corporate confession, and also alerted to those situations/people God is drawing our attention to.
AN opportunity to connect with God with others
To pray with others! Thanks, praise, intercession
Opens my heart to what is going on in the lives of people I care about, but may not see often. Shares burdens I’m carrying (a chance to talk and weep knowing that I’m not being judged, and that the people around aren’t paid to listen)
It is important to pray corporately for the life of our local church
Prayer is talking to God. As a friend it is important to communicate. God can only answer requests that you actually give him. Prayer also builds trust and friendship with the people you pray with. Jesus spent much time in prayer. If it is good enough for Jesus then it’s good enough for me. Because we are told to pray in the Bible. Praying together can increase faith and enable us to stand together with others in life’s trials.
To share in fellowship and say yes to others prayers
They’re a shared activity. Generate a sense of common purpose and shared responsibility
Firstly, prayer is commanded. Secondly, I find it easier to do with others. Thirdly, it seems to help those ‘others’ too.
the motivations have varied over time .. and they continue to vary – at various times al the things below have been very important – or not important – I that any answer i could give would be only a snapshot on a particular day ! – answer as of this particular 10 mins .
Fellowship
I no longer do, I am answering the following questions retrospectively (hope this is useful).
To develop my relationship with God. To try and understand what He wants me to work on with him. To intercede for others. To confess. To praise. To give thanks.
I like the community and the silence between prayers. Mostly because of other people’s expectations.
To be part of God’s will and plan.
Focus, sharing, supporting and mainly because I believe prayer is effective.
Because I feel I should
Gods promise to be present when we gather together in a special way. And to pray at all times & occasions – it can help praying with others
Because it’s important to share concerns with God, and because it helps us all to put our issues and business before God and see it from his perspective.
To pray with others, to seek the Holy Spirit’s renewal in us, and to discern direction.
Bible, gathering, seeking god
To become aware of and practice my spiritual gifts. To be supported and support others in trials through prayer. To Enjoy fellowshipping with those passionate about seeking God. To be reminded that I am not alone.
Total Responses 63

Q8. Thinking about your own motivations to be part of prayer meetings, please assess how important to you are the various possible motivations given below …

 

#	Question	very important to me	quite important	not important to me	would put me off!	Total Responses
1	It is Biblical and so we should do it.	30	22	11	1	64
2	It strengthens my own prayer life	31	24	8	1	64
3	‘Agreeing in prayer’ is a better guarantee of answers to prayer.	2	21	32	9	64
4	I enjoy the fellowship	26	31	7	3	67
5	It is part of my church’s ministry and mission	25	30	8	0	63
6	listening to and praying along with other people’s prayers encourages me in my faith	34	25	5	0	64
7	It helps me to feel connected to the wider church	24	29	11	0	64
8	it helps me to feel connected to what God is doing in the world	29	26	8	0	63

 

 

Q10. Is there any motivation for being part of a prayer meeting that isn’t covered in the previous question, but which you would like to share?
Text Response
It is also useful for gaining information on what to pray for in private prayer.
Hearing other people’s prayer helps me to understand them
Silent prayer is also part of our prayer time – listening to God in the silence, and being open to the work of the Holy Spirit within the group
See comments in previous box. The reasons listed above are pretty selfish reasons for attending prayer meetings. I don’t enjoy prayer meetings much and often find them distinctly uncomfortable but I still think they’re important for the reasons listed in the previous box.
others might hear from God for me
Sense of duty
None that I can add
In the churches I have attended it is an expected part of membership
To hear God through each other
I have not ticked any of the boxes, not because I think the motivations are unimportant, but because I don’t think that prayer meetings generally achieve these aims. Someone I interviewed on a related subject ten years ago said, “Prayer has become increasingly important to me, and prayer meetings impossible.”
To seek answers to specific questions in prayer.
Knowing that you are in communion with God.
Talking to God.
It is an expression, or projection, of something I feel strongly about.
helps me reflect on my own prejudices when I would (frequently) be praying the opposite
Those listed above.
No
Good place to seek vision for what God wants
n/a
It quite often seems to work
No.
It’s not about motivation. It’s about one aspect of what Christians do together, and one way of praying.
It’s a good discipline
Affirming others prayers and concerns
Something might change!
christians have always done it in some way ..
I think I was interested in other people’s persepctive of faith and prayer.
No
To hear the voice of God
We shouldn’t expect things to change if we don’t pray about them.
Often they seem to be the time when key information about the life of the church is released.
–
Discernment as a group of what God is saying to us.
Witness – offering To pray for people of different and no faith and.then doing it..24 prayer ans.taking it to.streets
Healing

Total Responses 35
Q7. In your opinion and experience, what are the best things about prayer meetings (when they work well)?
Text Response
When someone can step in and use prophetic gifting or people lay on hands and people are healed there and then. IE when the Holy Spirit steps in and does his stuff.
Fellowship
closeness to God
The Holy Spirit unites, and also shines a light on divisions which already exist, giving a focus for further prayer.
Deeply felt, from the heart but disciplined prayer; sense of being caught up into “something greater”; the compassion expressed in others’ prayers can be deeply moving; openness of others to God helps me open to God’s presence and listen to God
Connecting with God collectively. Participating together in him in a united way despite day to day differences between us. Seeking to bring Gods kingdom in the world. Prioritising communion with him in the church’s life.
Enthusiastic praying people, not too cold!
Short , to the point, include bible reading
They are a positive and encouraging experience for all participants and are good for group cohesion and individual and group spiritual development or growth.
A growing sense of community in shared faith between the group members.
A widening of areas of one’s own prayer life.
The unexpected.
the sense of God’s presence amongst us and within the building, the love that can surround us (particularly when the rest of the day has been difficult)
people feel encouraged
Being caught up in worship together
Deliberately inviting God’s presence and involvement in a situation faced by a member of the group, especially when the group has shared thoughts about the situation at some length.
God’s presence being felt be all, when healing happens (both physically and emotionally, for myself and others), when everyone is on the same page
A sense of the Spirits presence when two or three or more gather
The encouragement of experienceing God’s blessing
A sense of unity
Being in communion with god, and being able to witness what he is saying and doing.
People feeling closer, united in God.
A sense of oneness, fellowship and mutual encouragement with the other participants.
Leadership that facilitates and is visionary, as opposed to control.
Listening and openness, hopefully to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
reinforce community. Promote (at their best) wider understanding and acceptance of range of views.
Insight, release of the Holy Spirit- not specifically in the sense of biblical a Gifts of the Spirit. Plus encouragement of fellowship
Praying.
Knowing something of the presence of God.
The joy of praying with others
No idea
Good fellowship, common ground
a deep, rich sense of connecting with the one whose Spirit sustains my life; being deeply encouraged and sustained through prophecy; tracking answered prayer; the sens eof engaging in a disciplined practice that has always and always will undergird the life of the church
A closeness with the other partners & by the Spirit with God.
God speaking.
Draws a group together
Good information shared that produces specific prayer
Feel like doing something in areas where no idea what to do
Listening to God
A sense of supporting each other in prayer
Fellowship, encouragement, energising, fun and safely peaceful
Christians united in prayer for a cause reflect the unity that Jesus prayed for among those who would follow him
when you are praying or listening quietly in your own head and then someone else prays in tune with what you were thinking. Also it is easier to create a more focussed attitude and give proper time and space when praying together than you would alone. Greater awareness of God, helps you slow down into his presence.
Passionate, feels like your touching heaven and there’s unity.
praying for multual needs… praying for a common purpose / specific need / praying for each others needs
The support they offer
In a world of heavy agendas and superficial relationships, prayer meetings are remarkably intimate.
Having any simple leadership shared around different members of the group. The trust that is built up between a group who pray together regularly over years. The sense of solidarity through thick and thin with one another and with God, and the way insights that are revealed in praying from scripture/tradition that can change the way I then live that day/season.
When they are Christ focussed, and when they include praise, confession and listening and not just request focussed.
Unity, agreement, concerted focus, listening to God, fellowship.
Start and end with a formal prayer or led meditation. Chaired to ensure everyone can speak, and do most people spend most of the time listening. Chair shows humility
Encouragement and motivation to make prayer a lifestyle
Agreeing together in prayer helps to build the community of the church. Praying together for protection from the evil one is important when the church is serious about outreach and church growth.
A renewed enthusiasm to pray, seeing answers to prayer, growth in faith, vision for mission
Honest sharing of personal concerns
Hearing from others backgrounds and traditions
They offer a chance for people to participate, and allow prayer to be expressed in forms that are more personal and go beyond the restraint of liturgical/prepared formats
Presence of God. Answers to prayer
praying together
The fellowship, and learning about how God works in another person’s journey
The sense of solidarity.
The very real sense of God’s presence
When poor theology isn’t expressed in the prayers!
When we hear the voice of God
we are one body with a common objective.
Freedom to participate on any level, to choose one’s own words, to feel supported.
When they’re led sensitively and with care
Hearing more from God as he speaks to us through the group
The sense that having left things in God’s hands it is his responsibility to bring whatever outcome he wants! This brings a sense of calm.
To be overwhelmed by the love of God, the presence of Jesus, and the filling/conviction/encouragement of the Holy Spirit.
Insight, community building, learning about god and each other
feeling a genuine care and concern for one another’s lives.

Total Responses 64
Q11. The next few questions are to help understand what difficulties are most commonly experienced in prayer meetings. This information can help to bring resources to church leaders to help grow more fruitful prayer meetings. Thinking about your own experiences of prayer meetings, what one suggestion would you give to make a positive difference in the way they run or function? And why would you suggest it?
Text Response
Prayer meetings within a service or straight after or before instead of taking another evening
Less navel gazing!!!! It drives me round the twiist!!!
Having time and not rushing
fellowship and sharing before prayer
tea!
Pray specific prayers but not ‘shopping list’ prayers. Be ready to wait on the Lord’s Soveregm will and timomg.
“Training” – probably best not called that! – or preparatory briefing is needed – people need to learn how to participate. This can be done by good leadership by example and gently directing in a group – but perhaps some discussion/explanations, reflection on what we are doing, key biblical teaching etc.
In practice the emphasis seems often to be on self-expression at all costs! There can be lack of compassion and respect, airing of prejudices, unfounded assumptions, etc. And a certain amount of preaching creeps in, also sometimes confidentiality is not respected.
Include a variety of ‘ways’ to pray, dont alwaysdo so in a very large group, pray for a variety of needs not just the sick, the mission partners, the news all the time. Take turns to lead so it doesn’t become stale and formulaic.
I can’t stand it when people get wordy and use outdated irrelevant language eg start talking like the king James bible!
Theme, visuals
That a different individual lead prayer at each meeting, to encourage those, particularly new to the experience that we all God’s children and sharing the load of leading strengthens individual faith and spirituality.
Works best when there is information shared at the start about the situations to be prayed for – not just people explaining in their prayers. Then people can pray with understanding.
have a variety of types within a town so that there is something for every taste
I can think of n way to make them bearable – I just sit silent!
Clear leadership, so that no individual can take over the meeting to further their own agenda
I think it is best if church prayer meetings for intercession are not regular, but ad hoc, when there is a specific situation faced by the church.
If there are regular prayer meetings, I think it best if they are not primarily for intercession but for soul work. Quoting one mystic, “To pray is to descend with the mind into the heart, and there to stand before the face of the Lord, ever-present, all-seeing, within you.”
If the purpose of the meeting is to pray for something specific/a specific list of people make sure it’s written down somewhere, either on a board or individual handouts – that way you don’t have to worry about remembering names or situations especially when your new and there’s a lot to remember.
People preaching instead of praying. Some dominating things. Using prayer/holy language which stops others joining in. Need written guidelines for the group which folk agree too.
Prayer meetings are not all about big numbers. Small groups that can meet in comfort with each other, and learn new techniques from and with each other is very important. Big groups can intimidate some people, and yet they can be powerful prayer people if they are alloed to be themselves in a smaller setting.
Less cliched language.
A listening leader – both to God and to the participants.
reason together with respect, not coercion
A right setting- in terms of it being led and people being at ease but with a common focus.
Don’t feel you need to know what the end of your prayer may be when you start praying it.
Never attended one so can’t answer
Focus on prayer not shopping list of needs
I would suggest that people are taught how to pray with resonant confidence in their identity in Christ. Not ‘ums’ and ‘ers’ and digressions but quiet resonant confidence that they are addressing the very creator of the universe in Christ’s authority and with faith-filled conviction.
Emphasis that speaking prayer is not mandatory. A leader could gather items that are important to those assembled & to ensure they are prayed over, this I think would encourage those that are less comfortable in such meetings.
Open up the possibility of the fact that in prayer we are tuning into God. This takes away the ‘here’s a list’ mentality to trying to understand how God might work through us.
Creative ways of making a focus for the meeting rather than a general list
Sung worship interspersed with prayer. Helps us to focus on God and his character
Begin with one sentence gratitude prayers
Gets everyone or most people contributing at start
Do not expect everyone to pray in the same way – some prefer silence, some prefer praying out loud and both are OK. It can be offputting when the expectation is that everyone prays in the same way.
Some words to start and finish, and the Lords Prayer
Nervousness among those who are not sure, perhaps there is a better way to help people join in for the first time. People praying ‘too mech’ not allowing a voice to others or intimidating them with clever theological words.
Variety through a creative structure which is explained first . Eg Some silence, some time to pray out Loud, opportunity to go to different prayer stations or a visual focus etc etc
Needs to be relaxed with no hidden agenda so that people can. Come as they are and participate and express themselves as only they can… No forced prayers or list of who goes next
they need to happen organically… people joining as and when they want to.
Being clear that praying out loud is optional not running a prayer group with creeping death prayers that move around the room
Get the group to agree a protocol for the order in which people pray. Is it free, do you take it in turns, if so, who goes first? Is there an agreement that it’s ok not to pray?
If un confident people are there be creative about how to enable prayer. Using chance to write prayers the bread them. Encourage peoplewhohavdvwritten prayerful poems to read them out-value the gifts God is already giving people. Give opportunities for people to name a country or a name only, so they don’t have to form sentences in their praying which stresses done people out. Also model short simple praying using normal language, rather than complicated long prayers using language no one ever uses normally!
When they start with listening to the Spirit, in silence
Being relaxed – some prayer meetings are over-hyped or over-earnest.
Chaired by someone who doesn’t usually have authority in the church. It’s too easy for people to put aside their own thoughts or contributions if the chair (or someone else present) wears a dog collar or other outward symbol
Need some kind of structure or framework
Ways to help build people’s confidence in praying out loud and in their own words. I suggest this because I think it is one of the biggest barriers to people choosing to attend prayer meetings.
An encouragement that anyone can and should pray. Prayer meetings are often attended by those who feel confident in praying out loud.
Different people leading …..personalities , traditions . My experience in university chaplaincy. Insights from both newer and mature christians …encouraging of newer Christians in leqdership….hearing form God through each other , whether they is identified in charismatics or in Pentecostal terms or not!
Guidance on focus and also on length of prayers. Mtgs can be dominated by strong people
Short! Meeting also end up having quite a defined spirituality (e.g, pentecostal, liturgical…) which can exclude many
most of the real difficulties are things that when overcome deepen the experience – and seem to be a part of the process of growth ..
maybe just accepting this
Please do not distribute prayer topics to the cell members and make people pray about things they do not know anything about. Let everyone pray about what they feel important and moved to pray for. Else it’s sometimes very intimidating.
Introducing a random way of selecting prayer topics as well as the things already on people’s minds.
The need to widen the understanding of the whole variety of forms prayer takes.
Walk around, variety of media to use in praying…
Clear structure and pattern – with space for listening, reflection as well as speaking.
Ban lists of requests. If possible ban commonly used phrases or topics which are irrelevant to the group
Leadership – essential to how well it functions.
It’s always helpful to give sufficient information about the area/s being prayed for (even if it just means participants sharing their concerns) that people can pray in an informed way.
Make disciples more effectively so believers understand the importance and feel a commitment to attend, set some helpful ground rules so they are safe settings.
Language..timing l. Expectations..ability to.hear well
Practice praying in a variety of ways.. I.e individually, in pairs, call and response?
– To help individuals discover more ways to express themselves, feel comfortable communicating with God, and increase the enjoyment of praying together and being more culturally aware.
Total Responses 60

Q12. Apart from practical things like transport, accessibility or timings, what in your opinion keeps other Christians from being part of prayer meetings more regularly or at all?
Text Response
things like accessibility, time (most people have full time jobs) and transport are biggest barriers
Men get really fed up with the feminisation of the church and prayer meetings are no different – this definitely puts off a proportion of the men’s group from going to other prayer meetings.
Lack of time
lack of understanding
fear of praying out loud
Too many ‘wordy’ prayers, not enough time listening to God. [this does not apply to the current group, but I know it put people off another group in the past]
Fear of (1) being part of something which is inauthentic for them – where they can’t sincerely agree with the prayers of others in the group and of (2) feeling they don’t know how to express prayers aloud and of (3) having others “impose” prayer on them – i.e. pray for them in an insensitive or “managing” way and of (4) their own prayers being considered not good enough – e.g. they pray and then someone else prays for exactly the same thing at much greater length, can feel like an implicit criticism
They can be pretty painful. Often everyone is expected to conform to a certain way of praying, certain topics etc. As an introvert it can be horrendous psyching yourself up to actually speak especially in a large group, and there’s always that risk of speaking at the same time as someone else. Very very uncomfortable.
They possibly haven’t experienced a prayer meeting that is exciting, or they have not been taught about the importance of prayer
Boring.no sense of objective
I think that some people are inhibited by praying in public, even in a small group. They might be putt off by over enthusiastic or demonstrative prayers – as this isn’t their tradition or they’re not inclined to be so demonstrative themselves.
Feeling obliged to pray aloud even if they don’t feel they are able.
An idea that a prayer group is a clique.
Find them embarrassing. Especially perceived notion that all have to pray out loud.
innertia
praying for the same things over and over and nothing ever changing
Not normal practice in their church or denomination, natural reticence, disputes with other attendees
1. The sense of unreality, as if we would be heard by much speaking. 2. The lack of correlation between requests voiced and answers received. 3. Lack of eloquence. 4. Agenda items that do not stir people to passionate engagement with God. Just going through a list.
Not knowing what to expect, thinking that they will have to say the most eloquent prayers aloud – and not having the confidence to do so, not knowing about it – for a lot of churches it’s a regular background thing and is often missed out in the notices section of a service.
Business and not seeing prayer as a priority. Its hard work.
Many people feel that they are not qualified to pray in groups, or that the role should fall to one person.
Spending the time on something that is maybe not seen as as entertaining as other Christian activities. Feeling it’s not that important to pray together in one room. Embarassment.
Controlling leader.

Prescriptive approaches.
Predetermined shopping lists.

Detached mechanical approaches devoid of relationship.
Only for religious nutters. Perception that prayer is only for having desires answered, and that doesn’t work. Feeling of inadequacy and embarrassment to pray out loud when others seem so fluent and connected. Fear. Time (often the excuse).
Apathy. And do it regularly over a long period requires development, as a group, spiritually. It’s a journey and easy to fall by the wayside
Mainly just getting distracted.
Most people enjoy praying, and being prayed for, when they get round to it…
No idea
Maybe they are talking shops not powerful places of connecting with God
They are often dull, routine, ill-discipled (rambling), rather than creative, engaging all the senses, full of joy, passion, lament
Fear of expectation as suggested above.
This question is the biggest problem in my opinion. Probably a lack of a culture of corporate and open prayer in the C of E
In all honesty it is lack of commitment
Nervousness about what will be expected of them.
People struggle with prayer in their personal life. They are nervous of sharing that struggle with others
Lack of confidence
Sound boring
Lack of answered prayer global issues
Thinking that only ‘super-spiritual’ people are involved and that they will feel inadequate as a result.
Laziness and lack of motivation; scared to pray in front of others
The feeling that we are to busy and the lack of priority given to prayer both personal and corporate.
I think prayer is really private so some people feel really uncomfortable not knowing what might happen, also I think prayer meetings are often set up for particular personality types or spiritual styles and don’t suit a wide range.
Don’t understand what the meetings are about. Not explained in a way that makes people think that meeting can make a diffetence
feeling self concious
Not understanding the need or point…
People think that eloquent prayers are required. They’re not reassured that it’s ok to keep things short and sweet.
Fear of praying out loud and “getting it wrong”, the fact that prayer is the one constant and toughest battle in the Christian life. People soon give up with it. Because prayer does not always produce measurable outcomes, people get discouraged. Whether or not our prayers are directly and obviously answered the act of praying then changes us. That is the main outcome of prayer I think. If we realised that maybe we’d do it more, maybe not…?
Not part of their sub-culture; not feeling comfortable with praying out loud; not understanding the power and joy of praying together; snottiness about prayer meetings being seen as evangelical and therefore “not what we do”
Lots of people feel inadequate and think that everyone else knows. Perhaps we need meetings put aside specifically to pray for things that trouble people, with a brief reading / discussions in the middle.
Apathy
Forget times
Lack of commitment
Lack of understanding of the vital importance if prayer
Feel uncomfortable praying out loud
Lack of confidence to pray out loud and in their own words.
Feelings of incompetence, low self esteem, lethargy, time pressures of life
Feeling inadequate to pray
Same people lead, lack of variety
Not substantial enough on own to feel that there has been worship, word and fellowship
Wariness of free/spontaneous prayer. It’s almost unknown in my current church community
Many people feel it’s not for them
I don’t know what stops others – for me it is when I (possibly wrongly) decide to do other things!
Not too late, not too long!
Some feel that corporate prayer is covered in organised worship.
Lack of it being a priority
Low priority
Lack of confidence
work and general life busyness. The feeling that it’s pointless
Understanding, confidence,
They can appear to be ‘optional extra’ meetings, only for especially keen Christians.
Demands on our time.
Boredom..hearing impaired so.inhibited about hearing and speaking. Don’t see ‘results’. Need more ways to.participate
Lack of motivation, hectic lifestyle, laziness.

Total Responses 60

Q13. Recalling your time in prayer meetings, how often or not have you experienced the following …?

 

#	Question	Never	rarely	sometimes but not often	quite often	regularly	every time	can’t say	Total Responses	Mean
1	Overlong prayers	0	5	22	20	13	1	1	62	3.77
2	Sermonising in prayers	0	8	22	19	10	2	1	62	3.66
3	Too much time sharing and explaining compared to the time praying.	1	9	14	21	14	2	1	62	3.77
4	Most participants not praying out loud	0	10	31	15	4	1	1	62	3.32
5	Some participants dominating and making it hard for others to join in.	1	8	25	19	7	1	1	62	3.48
6	Christian jargon or non conversational language.	0	8	11	24	16	2	1	62	3.94
7	Special tones of voice -different from the way people speak in normal conversation	0	11	20	17	9	3	1	61	3.61
8	Singing as part of praying together	6	11	18	16	7	1	2	61	3.30
9	Participants interrupting or praying over another prayer	13	31	11	4	1	0	2	62	2.31
10	Consideration together of what the right thing might be to pray for.	4	15	18	17	6	1	1	62	3.21
11	Silences for waiting on God	3	9	20	17	9	2	1	61	3.49

 

 

Q14. What might you say to someone who doesn’t get involved in prayer meetings to encourage them to give it a try? What reasons do you think are likely to be most persuasive?
Text Response
That unfortunately is far too dependant on the individual and the context of the prayer meeting to give an answer.
Be welcoming
I wouldn’t try to persuade anyone – I would encourage those who sense God’s calling to this ministry
Assurance of good leadership
If I knew it to be true: its varied, unpressured and not awkward
I wish I knew the answer!
Perhaps a one to one experience of prayer in a gentle, sensitive way to encourage them to be open about there fears and to encourage them that it’s not beyond them, and that it can be a most positive experience. Carefully explaining that they will never be asked to pray in ways that they’re uncomfortable with or for things that might go against the norms that they hold in their particular denomination.
Personal example and leadership are important, but done in a way that displays humility and servant hood, not arrogance.
It is a way of growing in faith.
We share coffee after the prayer time!
No one will expect you to pray aloud if you don’t feel you can or it is not right for you on that occasion.
Try a few different types and see if there is something that works for you
erm – there are no reasons! Prayer meetings are dreadful.
Encouragement of the rest of God’s family
I would not particularly want to encourage people to go to prayer meetings, particularly if it was to support the event. I think that prayer should spring from something more real than programme.
I wouldn’t encourage people to go to my current church prayer meeting as I think most would be put off by it, I would start by trying to make the current attenders more welcoming first! Aside from that, however – Nobody expects anything spectacular from anyone else, Jesus asks us to bring ourselves as who we are, and if that someone is a person who sits quietly and listens then that’s fine.
Fellowship and helps your prayer life.
they are nervous, and many people feel that they might be judged on whether their prayer in good enough to be said outloud.
Adds to fellowship.
I would share my own experiences and be real.
I would try to help the person explore their motives and what they want.
The best persuasion is a sense of beloning to the group and when the person chooses for themselves.
I could only say what I get out of it, which has little to do with prayers ‘answered’ but a lot to to with intimacy, understanding, self-knowledge, concern for others. Focus ‘on earth as in heaven’
As a Xian, praying collectively, even if not aloud, is as essential as breathing
Come with me.
You don’t need to do or say anything.
I doubt if I would
Something around powerhouse of faith
I wouldn’t say anything, I would adjust my own/the groups behaviour in such a way to make it more attractive, after asking the person what would work for them
You already know one or two people that will be there & we talk to God which seems like a great reason since you already attend church often.
A: I’ll meet you & go with you.
I’d use the example that it was a thing Jesus regularly used to do. And that if we want to see god working in our church we are less likely to see that if we don’t come together with one voice to pray.
Prayer needs to be part of a whole church focus. For example a mission opportunity. It would then follow from other activities.
I’ll come with you. You don’t have to pray aloud.
Sense of fellowship and drawing closer to god
Give it a try – I find it encouraging and supportive and it may be that you will too. I think most people struggle with their prayer life, if they are honest, and would value support in it.
Fellowship
That when we join together in prayer it m,makes us stronger as a church and as individuals.
i think they need to know what to expect and have someone to go along with, maybe the focus needs to be on something they are passionate about too.
You can be that difference in encouraging, challenging changing others
Its affirming to pray together.

You will see others prayers answered.
A chance to be together in the presence of God, spending time with Him
I would offer them an open invitation. ‘Come along and give it a try’. I don’t think you can do more than that.

I’m not sure I would. If want people to follow their own path. I am part of a contemplative prayer group, in which we don’t pray out loud at all, but just listen together to God and then to one another (and God in one another). I’d find it easier to invite someone (Christian or not) into that space than other prayer spaces.
Come and try it. Nobody’s going to judge you, impose upon you. make you do anything to feel uncomfortable.
I try to say that everyone is a beginner and the intellectual people will talk but not judge. I try to say that it’s what’s in the heart, not the head, that matters. And of course everyone knows that I’m a maverick so it’s bound to be exciting and controversial.
It will encourage and aid your own prayer life
You don’t have to pray out loud to come
I would firstly encourage the person to come along and join in the prayers, but reassure them that they would not be expected to pray out loud until they felt comfortable to do so. Referring back to an earlier answer, I would hopefully have materials to help the person to build their confidence in praying out loud once theg felt ready.
It could help them grow in faith and they can help others by praying with them.
Variety
Meeting with God come and encourwge others
You don’t have to pray aloud
Emphasise that their presence matters to me – a relational approach
It makes a difference
I don’t think I would encourage them to join prayer meetings generically – just maybe not avoid a particular one that was relevant to their situation.
Come along to realise you are not alone.
I think they feel much more comfortable than you might expect.
Always good to be in God’s presence
The issue is important, it helps focus our thinking…
The sense of closeness to God and one another.
Hopefully I’d be able to tell them that its OK to not to pray out loud until they feel comfortable.
It’s a chance for some peace and quiet for your own prayers.
Time spent with God
Lots
That committing all we are doing to God is the most important part of our preparation for anything. Though to be honest, I’d say that more as a conventional ‘justification’. In fact, the most persuasive thing would probably be a reassurance that it wouldn’t be awful – most people stay away because there’s something they’re worried about happening, whether it’s being judged on what they say or don’t say, singing in a small group, long periods of silence or just boredom.
‘You won’t be expected to say anything, and we have some ground rules to make sure it’s a safe space. If there are people there you don’t get along with we understand, how can we help make that easier?’
Good sense of what to expect – timing. Provision for ‘scripting’ prayers. Gp with someone. Freedom to.be silent
Support.
Deep down everybody wants and needs encouragement.

Total Responses 58

Q15. If someone declined to join a prayer meeting on the basis, they said, that they prayed in church services and on their own, how might you respond to them?
Text Response
Show them the passages about corporate prayer or explain about “temple prayer” and how it was viewed to be important in second temple Judaism and how it relates today.
Respect them
point out that scripture says when 2 or more are gathered …
I would accept that fully.
Depends on their circumstances – can’t generalise
In honesty I wouldn’t challenge them.
Don’t you find conversations work best when more than one person is involved?!
Respect their decision – trying to persuade them might well be intimidating and cause them to leave church altogether.
You are missing out on a time that will help your personal prayer time.
that’s fine
great!
Why not add another dimension of prayer
No problem.
An athlete often has to do certain stretches or routines outside of their coaching time, just because they have those specific things to practice doesn’t mean that they no longer need the coach – we still need to meet together to pray, and church on a sunday is great, but it’s like a sunday roast, really good but if you try to live off a sunday roast alone each week you won’t get very far. We’re called to live in community, and prayer meetings are often a place where you can come together and be real with each other.
We are part of a church and coming together to pray shows how serious we are about it.
Praying together is part of the life of the Church. There is power in praying with others Matt 18:19,20
Let them join in!
I’d suggest they try it as it is different to just praying in church or on your own and provides an opening for sharing and support.
I would share my own experience as an alternative perspective.
as above. We are a community. It helps us to know each other and ourselves – understanding of views – preparation for actions
They are living a 2 dimensional prayer experience.
Can you help support us/the Body of Christ by doing this, this time please?
Fine
That is fine to.me!
What about being prophesied over in a small group of people who know you well? Incredible rich and rewarding experience.
I accept that & it’s great that you are so involved but if I met you & took you so that you could experience for yourself what gets me excited & gives me strength when times are hard, would you come, please?
Very positively, it’s always great to hear that people are praying, but always say they are welcome at any time to join with the group if they wish.
Try to widen their vision of prayer
Explain how prayer meetings have helped me.
Depends context
Use bible if appropriate
Encourage others
I’d say that that was OK.
What about the times you don’t feel you can pray
I might suggest that there are other dimensions of prayer that they should explore.No
I think there in praying with smaller groups you can be braver and try new things and also for some issues its good to receive prayer from others.
Just try coming along
Thats OK, you should pray in the way you fell most appropriate.
Explain some of the benefits of praying with others.
Church prayers are often very general at prayer meeting much more focused time of prayer
I’d say fine!
I’d say “ok” and ask them what helps them to pray when they are on their own. I’ve unearthed some extraordinary things that way. The woman who prayed for places that have no clean water supply every time she turned the tap on first thing in the morning; the man who had insomnia, but used it to pray through the night, rather than fighting it, and took heart from the monastic communities he knew we’re praying at set times through the night…
That’s OK
It’s their choice. We each have a personal relationship with God and I don’t have a monopoly on truth or the right way to be. Christ may be the best or only way to God, but there are many ways to follow Christ.
This is a specific prayer meeting once a month to pray for the specific mission and ministry of the church so if you are committed to the fellowship of this church you will make it a priority
Jesus made plenty of time to pray.we should follow his example. I would also discuss with them if the real reason they were declining was more to do with praying out loud.
Prayer meetings are often more focussed, can enable us to receive God’s vision for the church/area. That they have something to offer and teach others.
It’s about being part of the body
Share how we and they might be mutually encouraged by them joining in
That’s great!
you’ve made a start – why not broaden the range of your praying ?
Come along to realise you are not alone.
The surprise/unexpected in hearing prayers by/with is good.
Again variety of approaches can open up new ideas together
That’s nice!
Prayer is like sex. It’s more fun with other people.
I know many people have bad experiences of prayer meetings, and that they’re thoroughly unhelpful to some people.
I would agree with them
Depends entirely on the individual, their other commitments & where they are at.
That we would benefit hugely from them joining us – they’re an important part of all we’re doing, and we would like to have them bringing their input to our meeting.
We’d like to encourage everyone to come to a prayer meeting at least now and again, and we realise you are very busy, and mention the above.
More time given.
Space. Prompting of holy spirit. Worship. Being together
2 is better then one. When u face low points in life, friends can pray on your behalf.

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Q16. Do you have any further comments to explain any of your answers or to tell us about other things to do with prayer meetings that you think we should know about.
Text Response
I wish more people were excited about prayer
Not really. A well run prayer group gives each member the space to pray and to lead occasionally. It will ensure that appropriate safe guards are in place, including oversight to ensure that there is no change of abuse of that trust and confidentiality that is essential in any small group.
no
they have put me off attending church
My prayer meeting experience is mostly in the context of the Charismatic movement in the mainstream churches (RC and CofE)
Forms of prayer that are not intercession, such as Lectio Divina. There is always benefit in these, and intercession can be added whenever a member of the group is facing a specific situation that warrants it.
I know that some people are intercessors by calling or temperament, but they are few and far between, and they can usually engage in this best on their own or with a small number of likeminded others.
Most church prayer meetings I’ve been to have been very static – you turn up and sit in a circle with heads bowed and pray, contrast that with a 24/7 style prayer room and you have the 2 extremes. I think they are both good and both serve a purpose, but if we want more people to actively engage in more prayer we should be finding a middle ground more often where those that feel more confident praying while washing a stone can do so!
Not enough silent prayer. Even when they leave spaces those are not anywhere near long enough. Use of cliched phrases like ‘We JUST ask you’, use of word JUST quite unnecessarily. I personally find praying out loud difficult, feel very self conscious. It often seems it’s socially acceptable to pray for others but not for your own problems. When I prayed for my cat people seemed to think that was funny, even though she had been missing a week. Mind you, we all laughed at Graham when he said ‘I want to pray for my aunt who is at a craft fair in Harrogate.’ He laughed as well.
I think that, for me, the most deadening effect on a prayer meeting is when the leader controls, has a preplanned agenda, and when there are closed relationships or detached individuals.
Talk about different styles of prayer, making clear that different ones work better in different contexts, and having these in your toolkit can help.
No
I have also been part of 24-7 prayer boiler rooms
Definitely remember that we are an ageing population & that turning out in the dark is a turn off.
There are people that can’t funct well in mixed groups therefore same sex meetings would be a winning one.
Make it easy for parents with young children to meet to pray, not a crèche but by having the children in the meeting, keep it short, then something the children would enjoy.
Keep record and share answers
No
no
No.
Prayer meetings by themselves seem too Pentecostal. I like a focus such as a bible reading or devotional book, and the opportunity for differences of opinion. We put aside the hierarchy when the temple curtain was torn in two at the time of the crucifixion.
I use the bill hybells PACTS structure which is useful and give each area equal time
They are about a more intimate connection with God and others than is allowed in many church services
No
I think the language of “prayer meetings” carries a particular set of baggage… I think I’d rather just talk about praying together !
I don’t currently participate as part of a worshipping community, I also found that meditation was something that made a lot more sense to me and my perspective on / expereince of faith rather than voiced prayers.
The best prayer meetings I have been part of are where there is no expectation of everyone sitting and praying out loud one at a time. Multiple media etc.
People interrupting or praying over each others: increasingly this seems to be encouraged!
Singing: sometimes this is a great thing, something it really just gets in the way.
I think there is very little real thought into why we come together in prayer and what makes being in a prayer group different to praying alone. Especially in the world of social media when we can be in touch and in tune with others not even on the same continent as us, what is the purpose of meeting for prayer and what makes that different to praying at the same time at home?
I also think there is a lack of imagination about group prayer as I hear the same topics rolled out time and time again and many of them seem irrelevant. Someone thanks God that we’re not persecuted for praying together in pretty much every prayer meeting I go to – does God need to hear this? Do I?
Someone once Facebook posted something along the lines of ‘if we believe in prayer why aren’t we constantly on our knees until no-one is hungry?’
It’s worth taking time to learn good songs and choruses and be able to sing them well, learning harmonies is fun and helpful, makes it easier to do without instruments and CDs.
We’ve recently renewed prayer meetings with more structure so people know what they’re coming to and.trying to bring others along who.don’t come or think..it’s not my thing
I’ve learnt the importance of allowing extra time to receive, and listen to what the holy spirit might be saying.

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