National
Pastors'
Prayer
Network
NPPN Roundtable Article #061
--->NPPNote:
The NPPN Web Roundtable discussion guide at the bottom of this emessage is for
your Pastors’ Prayer Group ... Let’s talk!
60 Archived NPPN Articles for your Group or Network
http://www.nppn.org/Articles.htm
The NPPN Roundtable - Share your Insights
http://www.nppn.org/commentform.htm
Church Prayer Leaders Network
http://www.prayerleader.com
Pastors' Prayer Groups - Update / Add your PPG
http://www.nppn.org/ppg/
Strengthening & Shielding The Pastors Prayer Life
http://www.prayingpastor.com
Subscribe to NPPN
http://www.nppn.org/subscribe.htm
====================================================
#061
Pastors’ Prayer Groups: The Rhythm of Seasons & Reasons
by Phil Miglioratti
====================================================
Pastors’ Prayer Groups: The Rhythm of Seasons & Reasons
On the 7th anniversary of the National Pastors’ Prayer Network, more
than 850 Pastors’ Prayer Groups are proudly identified in our web directory (www.nppn.org/ppg).
Each PPG is an indication of commitment; usually one Pastor who takes the
initiative to call others to the place of prayer (Colossians 4:2) and several
others who recognize both the need and potential of Pastors praying with and for
one another.
Birthing a new PPG is never easy. The only task more difficult than starting a
PPG is sustaining that PPG!
Even those PPGs that continue to meet year after year, do not necessarily
sustain vitality and viability.
PPG leaders must recognize three types of participants:
.Worship: Those who come primarily to pray and praise
“Let’s pray…”
.Relationship: Those who hunger for authentic fellowship
“Let’s talk and get to know one another…”
.Partnership: Those anxious for action
“Prayer and talk is fine, but let’s do something!”
Many PPGs fail to sustain vitality because the leadership caters to only one of
these three types.
Too much talk will discourage those who want to pray and those who want to
plan collaborative ministry.
Too much discussion about what and how to reach the community turns the PPG
into a task force.
Prayer that goes vertical but not horizontal, fails to build relationships
which enable the group to cooperate on combined ministry or collaborate on
issues of justice and caring for the poor.
PPGs serious about impacting their community by influencing the lives and
decisions of strategic leaders in their congregations and in their community
must develop an intentional rhythm to their gatherings.
PPGs which meet monthly (or quarterly) seldom develop a depth of relationship
that acts as glue to keep the group together through the changes of seasons,
ministry transfers, and the personal priorities and passions of individual
members.
PPGs which meet more often and develop significant relationships often only pray
for one another and fail to find a purpose that propels the group forward and
outward.
PPGs that survive and succeed develop a rhythm…
€PPGs: Seasons
Yearly
Event - Prayer Summit
Time Commitment - 3 to 4 days
Purpose - Seeking Christ together as leaders of the
Church in our City
Grouping - With pastors and leaders from across the city
Format:
.Inspiration – Brief scripture focus
.Intercession – Extended sessions of prayer
.Interaction – Facilitated “unpacking” of what God has said
Quarterly
Event – Prayer Retreat
Time Commitment -6 to 8 hours
Purpose – Strengthen spiritual relationships and
offer extended personal ministry for each member
Grouping – Your Pastors’ Prayer Group
Format:
.Worship – singing and scripture and supplication
.Ministry – Praying for each member individually
Monthly
Event – Prayer Journeys
Time Commitment – 2 to 3 hours
Purpose – Bring prayer to strategic churches and city sites
Grouping – Your PPG
Format:
.Visit & pray with a nearby pastor
.Travel to and pray with another PPG
.Pray onsite (city hall, crime scene, business sector, school….)
Weekly
Event – Prayer Group
Time Commitment – 1 to 2 hours
Purpose - Praying with one another for one another and
for revival in the church that prompts a national
spiritual awakening leading to community
transformation
Grouping – Your PPG
Format:
.Start on time
.Encourage “catch-up” before and after
.Facilitator sets the focus
.Start praying!
Daily
Event – Prayer Prompts
Time Commitment – 3 to 5 minutes
Purpose - Praying for the members of your PPG
Grouping – Your personal commitment
Format:
.Prayer Partners, or
.Each day of the week, all pray for the designated person, or
.Employ Pastor Dee Duke’s method (Prayer Quest, NavPress)
€PPGs: Reasons
Every PPG encourages prayer for one another; most pray for each other’s
congregations and ministries; many pray for revival and awakening – But the
possibilities and potentialities are much greater, indeed.
Worship
Praising and thanking God as leaders representing the Church (Acts 6:4).
Praying 2 Chronicles 7:14 on an individual and corporate basis.
Fellowship
Praying for one another on a personal basis (James 15:13-20 ).
Stewardship
Seeking strategy to deploy congregational giftings and resources to
fulfill the Great Commission.
Leadership
Asking God for favor to cast vision for unity and call other leaders to prayer.
Citizenship
Petitioning for divine appointments resulting in opportunities to serve the
political, educational, and business leaders in your community.
Discipleship
Praying for wisdom to equip the saints to recognize the potential to be a
market place minister through their profession at their place of work or school.
€PPGs: A Prayer Format…
UPWARD – Glory
Praise and exaltation
DOWNWARD – Humility
Confession and repentance
INWARD – Responsibility
Praying the desires of our heart
OUTWARD – Ministry
Interceding for others; individuals, and institutions; systems and structures
BACKWARD – History
Giving thanks for God’s powerful acts in Scripture and our community
FORWARD – Destiny
Praying in hope; agreeing with God on His dreams & decisions
for the future of our community and country
So ...
How long has it been since your PPG spent a day in prayer together without
the interruption of cell phones?
When was the last time you went together to a conference on prayer or to a
Prayer Summit (www.prayersummits.net)?
Are you hearing prayers that would lead to revival in the Church? A
Christ-awakening in your community?
Other than requests and petitions, do you hear a steady diet of
thanksgiving? Prayers of corporate repentance? Intercession for local and
national leaders?
As a PPG leader (or member), what can you do to sustain vitality and viability
by utilizing the variety of seasons and reasons in the life cycle of the group?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The NPPN Web Roundtable -
1. Distribute (e-cast or photocopy) to your Pastors’ Prayer Group
2. Schedule a specific time to discuss the article
3. Assign one of the PPG members to facilitate the discussion and another to
take notes
4. Consider using this format:
“What?” is the author’s purpose? Points? Positives? Problems?
“So What?” are the implications? Benefits? Barriers?
“Now What?” can we do to implement what is good? Action points?
5. Send a synopsis of your discussion to the NPPN Web Roundtable:
phil@nppn.org
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The NPPN Web Roundtable - -
This article will continue to be posted and distributed throughout the NPPN
- with the ongoing addition of comments and questions from NPPN respondents. The
NPPN produces and provides these articles to initiate a national conversation
among pastors' prayer leaders. Opinions reflect the views of each author or
respondent, not the NPPN or any other person or organization You are encouraged
to contact the author or subsequent respondents directly. These ongoing
discussions are intended to inspire, instruct, and inform those who lead
pastors' prayer groups and facilitate pastors' prayer networks. The NPPN
reserves the right to edit articles and responses for purposes of length or
tone. Our call to humility and our commitment to biblical unity will serve as
our guide and our guard.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Add your insights to the NPPN "Web Roundtable"
http://www.nppn.org/CommentForm.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Copyright 2004, NPPN - Permission granted for duplication or distribution among
facilitators and intercessors who are committed to gathering pastors for prayer.
=============================================================
National Pastors' Prayer Network
1130 Randville Drive ID, Palatine, IL 60074
847-991-0153 ~ 847-358-9337(fax)
http://www.nppn.org
~ email: phil@nppn.org
Register your PPG:
http://www.nppn.org/ppg/
Phil Miglioratti ~ Coordinator
Carol Miglioratti ~ Office Manager
Sheila Straka ~ Intercession: sheila@nppn.org
Chuck Straka ~ Web Master:
straka1@nppn.org
Adam Shields ~ Tech Support:
Updates@nppn.org
Carol Karr ~ Administrative Services
--->Unless clearly identified as "Personal To _____" or
"Confidential" all information and comments sent to phil@nppn.org will be
considered for use in a future NPPN Update.
--->Copyright 2003. However, permission is granted to freely redistribute to
those who will partner in praying for and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ
with everyone in our nation and beyond.
--->Opinions reflect the views of each author or respondent, not the NPPN or
any other person or organization
=============================================================