PRAYER MINISTRIES Overview

PRAYER MINISTRIES overview

PRAYER MINISTRY VISION

To intercede for the salvation, healing and protection of others through united prayer efforts during weekly services, city-wide outreaches, small groups and seasons of corporate prayer.

PRAYER MINISTRY STRATEGY

The “1:1 Ratio” – The focus of the Prayer Ministries is based on Nehemiah 4.10-20 through which we learn that with God’s direction, Nehemiah undertook the challenging work of rebuilding the destroyed walls surrounding Jerusalem. The first assignment for Nehemiah was to “tour the wall” in order to take note of areas that needed restoration. Nehemiah then devised a plan to rebuild those specific areas and recruited the people needed to do the work. As reconstruction began, the enemy immediately invaded, attacking at every hole in the wall and opportunity. The wall workers became exhausted in trying to defend their position and frustrated in trying to rebuild their wall, so they approached Nehemiah with the problem.

The plan Nehemiah devised is what we call the “1:1 Ratio” because every worker on the wall had a personal protector, in a 1-to-1 ratio. Every person was vital, whether holding a brick and rebuilding or holding a spear and defending. With this plan in place, miles and miles of Jerusalem’s wall were complete in only fifty-two days!

The Prayer Ministries strategy for Church of the Highlands is very much the same as Nehemiah’s in that we both use the “1:1 Ratio”. There are thousands of Dream Team members who consistently serve to rebuild walls. (We can call them “wall workers”.) In order to effectively rebuild walls and defend against the enemy, we also need thousands of Prayer Team members who consistently serve to protect the “wall workers”. (We call these Prayer Team members “protectors” or defenders of the “wall workers”.)

PRAYER MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES

Service Prayer Team*
Prayer Small Group Leadership*
Prayer Small Group membership (A.S.K., Prayer Force Training, etc.)
21 Days of Prayer (January and August)
Saturday morning prayer (weekly)
Prayer Force United Prayer Walk (monthly)
Prayer Shield (prayer covering for Highlands staff, etc.)

*Denotes Dream Team ministry

HOW TO JOIN THE DREAM TEAM

Attend the Dream Team 401 training and meet one-on-one with ministry leader.
Complete the Leadership Application and Honor Code.
Complete the Growth Track.

Highly suggested, but not required: completion of LIFE curriculum/Retreat and Prayer Force training.

PRAYER team

“…if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that My Name may be there forever. My eyes and My heart will always be there.” (2 Chronicles 7.14-16)

TEAM VISION

To intercede for the salvation and healing of hearts as guests encounter the Living God.

TEAM ROLE

Intercession is a dynamic experience – for you and others. We pray the Word with great boldness, proclaiming God’s truth, drawing from the power of the Holy Spirit to serve the Church.

Actively pray for the lost, hurting and broken with us during the worship service, interceding on their behalf.
Supportively pray for the pastors and staff as they lead the worship service.
Pray encouragement and favor for the Dream Team as they serve the guests attending the service.
Partner with the Body of Christ by inviting and serving guests while authentically representing Jesus. You have been entrusted by our Church to serve their family members, friends and co-workers who may not yet know Jesus. Your role in the Kingdom is essential.

TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES

Serve when scheduled and contact your Team Leader when you need a replacement. Communication is crucial for building community and carrying out effective ministry, so please let your Team Leader know your availability to serve.
Be on time and check-in. Dream Team Central has food and drinks, other Dream Team family, name badges and Check-In opportunities for you.

Some teams participate in worship before praying, promptly returning to the prayer room as the final song concludes. Other teams begin intercession as soon as the worship begins, covering all Dream Team teams and pastors in prayer. Make certain to touch base with the Team Leader in the Prayer Room first for specific direction.

The Team Leader will keep the prayer focused. Our Sunday services are focused on visitors and non-believers, so as the Spirit leads and especially during the salvation prayer, prayers will be very specifically directed to salvation of souls. During other events or conferences, prayers will potentially be focused on other needs. The Team Leader serves to direct the entire team as a united front of intercession.

“Worship One, Serve One” is our motto, so you may attend (worship) one service and serve the next, or serve one service and attend (worship) the next. We encourage everyone to offer worship to the Lord, with song and serve; in hearing the Word and demonstrating it.
Remain positioned. It is of utmost importance that we stay united in prayer and stay throughout the entire message and salvation prayer. You will finish serving at the conclusion of the service for which you are praying. Please be mindful that arriving mid-service to pray is a distraction for both guests and fellow team members.

Respect the team. Unity is key to successful intercession. You may pray out loud or in your heart, but never dominate the prayer time. Keep your prayers concise, allowing the Holy Spirit to pray through you sincerely.

Keep voice at a conversational level since the team will often pray aloud simultaneously. Remember, the prayers are being lifted to God and He hears your heart and your words. Be encouraged to use your prayer language, as well.

Serve with heart, commitment and excellence. We want you serving in your gifts and passions; in ministry that is an overflow of love and enjoyable to you. If this ministry is not a fit, if you would like to investigate a new ministry team or if you need a break from serving for a season, do not hesitate to let your Team Leader know. This is why they are here - to walk through life with you!

Bring your Bible. Many times you will want your “sword of the Spirit” with you to pray.

Use the service prayer strategy below to help direct your prayers.

SERVICE PRAYER STRATEGY

1. Pray the people quickly turn their attention to the Lord and draw near to Him; believe He draws near to us.

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations.” (Psalm 100.4-6)

2. Pray that every tormenting spirit would be bound. (spirits of shame, condemnation, guilt, fear, rejection, depression, etc.)

“Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, "Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him. Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.” (1Samuel 16:22-23)

3. Pray the Lord is revealed in His place of honor and that people connect with Him there.

“But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.” (Psalms 22:1)

4. Pray that people experience the full Presence of God and their eyes are opened to who He is.

“[I make] mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened.” (Ephesians 1:17-18)

“Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood.” (Psalms 73:17)

“And when He [the Holy Spirit] comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin, and righteousness, and judgment.” (John 16:8)

“No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)

5. Pray that people begin to lose themselves in the light of the Lord and all He is. (This is when our service begins to reflect Heaven.)

“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!’” (Revelation 5.11-12)

6. Pray for that specific moment – the moment when people encounter the living God.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

7. Pray that God will crown them with salvation. Pray that the pastor can walk with sickle in hand, harvesting souls for the Kingdom!

“For the LORD takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with salvation.” (Psalms 149:4)

TEAM RESULTS

Guests are fully engaged in God’s Presence; the Holy Spirit is richly present; God is glorified; pastors are strong and effective; souls are saved in Jesus name!

How to join the team:

Attend the Dream Team 401 training and meet one-on-one with ministry leader.
Complete the Leadership Application and Honor Code.
Complete the Growth Track.

Suggested, not required: completion of LIFE curriculum and Prayer Force training.

“We serve because we have been served, and because we

follow a leader who models servanthood.” Bill Hybels