A Guide To Intercessory Prayer
by Rev. Richard W. LaFountain

A Mini Prayer Retreat/Concert

The Program
A Concert of Prayer, or a Prayer Retreats, is a solid block of time spent alone with the Lord, and/or with others in seeking the Lord in prayer. It is a time to slow ones pace of life and focus on the Lord alone for a few hours, or in some cases, a few days. Why not try this as a method to gather the people of God in your church for prayer, both to learn how to pray and to pray together in a rich, enjoyable setting. You'll be glad you did.

Go Casual
Though we present a schedule you may feel free to pray any way and any where you like at anytime during the evening. It is your time alone with God. Make it special. Dress casually, and comfortably. Bring a walkman and earphones with worship tapes for times of worship without disturbing others.

The Schedule
Though we present a schedule you may feel free to pray any way and any where you like at anytime during the evening. It is your time alone with God. Make it special. Dress casually, and comfortably. Bring a walkman and earphones with worship tapes for times of worship without disturbing others. The pace is up to the individual. Some can walk through all 6 steps in a 40 minute period or they can choose to go more slowly just visiting 3 steps. Do not hurry people just to reach all the steps. If you have a larger group you may find it easier to put people into four different tracks such as 1) God 2) You 3)Others 4) World, each having three step to them.

The Building:
Throughout the building there will be rooms designated by titles. These rooms are especially equipped for intercessory prayer in that mode. There are two types, the OASIS rooms, that are rooms where you may be quiet and personally prepare your heart before God. Then there are OUTPOST rooms for intercessory prayer work. These room are equipped with helpful request sheets, maps, pictures, etc. that will help you in your intercessory prayer time.

Helpful Hints
There are 3 parts to the evening -

Part I is Intimacy with God using the first 6 steps of intercession. Study those steps to get used to it. Teach it in church prior to the prayer concert so it is not new. Practice praying these steps in your prayer meetings or in small groups using the 3-minute timer.

Part II is Intercession for Others using the last 6 steps of intercession. Again, practice makes perfect (or at least better). Equip each room (if you have a large group you many need several rooms for each step) with decorations appropriate to the prayer step. (See the hints provided on each)

Part III is Corporate prayer and worship. It can be quite intimidating and ultimately self defeating to expect people to be able to stand alone in a congregation and pray outloud in front of everyone. Designate men and women to pray over specific topics who are experienced in publice prayer. Provide smaller groups for a more intimate setting but remember that even in that setting it can make people nervous to pray outloud.

Prayer Guides
The fact is that most people are lost at prayer. They don't know how to do it. Use this as a training time. Provide clear prayer guides like this one to allow them to go over the booklet while they are involved in prayer.

Tools for Prayer
You can make prayer easier for the novice by providing tools for prayer. At least ask people to bring these items and keep a supply on hand.

  • Notebook and pen
  • Familiar Bible
  • 3-Minute Timers
  • Cassette Player/CD Player and Headsets
  • Kneeling pads

Schedule For A Mini Prayer Retreat 
8:00-8:05 p.m.  Assemble together for brief introduction to the 
                evening's activities.

8:05-8:10 p.m.  Devotional reading  (5 minutes)

8:10-8:15 p.m.  Pastoral Prayer and Chorus

8:20 p.m.  Separate to the various prayer centers.  We suggest you begin 
           this first hour in preparation for intercession with the...



			The "OASIS"

1. Quiet room: for silence, slowing down and preparing for prayer.

2. Adoration room: for praise, exaltation of God's name, and worship.

3. Thanksgiving room: for giving thanks to God for everything.

4. Authority room - for reading & applying principles of authority 
   of the believer.

5. Listening room - for listening to worship tapes and Scripture.

6. Personal room - for personal burdens, confession of sin, and 
   surrender to God.


Total time: 36 minutes (alowe a minute between each room)




9:00-9:05 p.m.  Assemble in sanctuary for sharing and praise choruses.

9:05-9:10 p.m.  Devotional reading (5 minutes)

9:10-9:20 p.m.  Corporate prayer together for special needs

9:20 p.m.  Separate to the various prayer centers.  We suggest you begin
           this first hour in preparation for intercession with the...


        
			"OUTPOSTS" 

7. Missions - for prayer for the world's peoples and missionaries.

8. Governments - for our national leaders, president, senate, etc.

9. Burdens & Healing - for corporate anointing and prayer for healing

10. People intercession - for the body of Christ, the families by name

11. Church ministries - for leaders, pastors, S.School, outreach, etc.

12. Souls for Christ - plead with God for your 10 most wanted list





10:00-10:15 p.m.   BREAK FOR REFRESHING - Kitchen

10:15-10:20 p.m.   Songs of Praise

10:20-10:25 p.m.   SHARING

10:25-10:30 p.m.   Devotional reading (5 minutes)

10:30 p.m.         Small groups praying together(3-4)
                   (alone if you wish)

11:15-11:20 p.m.    PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

11:20-11:25 p.m.    Worship together

11:25-11:30 p.m.    Devotional reading (5 minutes)

11:30 p.m.

============ RE-VISIT STATIONS OR COMPLETE ALL =========

12:00 p.m.      CLOSING WITH JOINED HANDS IN PRAYER