Shirley Youth Info
Youth Cells
Some Prayer ideas for cell
Praying out loud in groups
Why do it?
· to know people are praying - it’s more obvious than when they pray silently
· other people’s prayers can be encouraging
· when you pray out loud it helps to keep you focussed on the subject
· it gives the group a focus
· it builds confidence among the members of the group as they encourage each other in prayer
· it’s exciting
· it’s inspirational - you hear some one pray something and you are encouraged to pray about the same things
· it can make you feel cared for when others pray out loud for you.
How to do it?
· without distractions
· Background music, candles can help, and a good atmosphere!
· make sure everyone is comfortable
· give plenty of time for the prayers so that members don’t feel under pressure
· introduce the prayers by making it clear what the time is for
· the leader can pray first to encourage others
· keep prayers simple and short so that no-one is put-off praying
· try praying out loud all at once to avoid the embarrassment of being the one that everyone is listening to
· have some times when each member prays for just one thing - even go round the circle
· split into smaller groups - try threes as well as pairs and try to change the way you split to avoid creating cliques
· afterwards encourage people who have prayed - try to be as specific in your comments as possible
· pray for the prayer time beforehand!!
Prayer Tips (from another church’s youth work)
The Hands on - Stand in a circle and pray all at the same time turning to your left and putting your hands on the shoulders of the person now in front of you pray for them, turn to the right and pray in that direction too.
All at once - Get everyone in the group to pray at the same time standing and facing the middle. If you are praying for a particular member of the group get them to stand in the middle on the "hotspot". In our cell this way of praying is known a "Geoff-style" for reasons now lost in the mists of time.
Pass the parcel - Before the meeting cut out some news headlines and put them between the layers of a parcel. Now play good old pass the parcel and pray when the music stops.
Prayer Stations - Put cards with prayer requests written on them around the room and in twos ask cell members to pray at each "station". After 1 minute blow a whistle for "all change" and until everyone has prayed for each subject.
Prayer walking - (Best in Summer!) Take your cell on a walk around your area and pray for people who live nearby. You could walk around the edge of local schools and pray for the pupils, or go to the station to pray for commuters, use your imagination.
Your World - Video the news headlines and pray for important issues.
Office Address:
67 St James Road
Shirley
Southampton