In John 17, we observe Jesus the Great Shepherd praying for his disciples. He states in verse 9: “I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me.”
As an under shepherd to the flock God has entrusted to you, one of the best ways you can love well is to pray for your flock regularly! Here are some suggestions for developing an effective ministry of praying for your flock.
- Ask people regularly “How can I pray for you?” Listen to what they share. Write these things down or type them into your phone so you will remember and pray for them later. It is so easy after asking the first question to say, “I will pray for you about that,” and then just walk away. We can all confess times when we told someone we would pray for them, but then failed to do so. Follow up your first question when appropriate with this one: “Would you be OK if I prayed right now with you regarding these things?” Your prayer on the spot communicates that you care and encourages them to practice the same ministry with other people.
- Ask people how things are going regarding their previous prayer request. When we do this, we communicate three critical things: 1) We remembered their prayer request, 2) We continued in prayer with their request, and 3) We care. People who remember and ask about it later communicate ongoing love and care.
- If it is appropriate, ask if you can share the request with others whom you trust will pray. By asking, you are gaining permission to share and avoid sharing something they wish to keep in confidence. It is encouraging on the one hand to have more than one person praying for a personal request, but it is very disappointing on the other hand when things are shared that we want kept in confidence. Asking permission and keeping things confidential when requested builds rapport and is foundational for meaningful relationships.
- Develop a monthly plan to pray daily for church members using a prayer calendar. Place the names of 30 families (if you are in a church with 30 families) on the monthly calendar, committing to pray daily for one family in the church. If the church had 90 families, the calendar dates would each have three families listed. Compile a list of updated prayer needs per family compiled from #1 above, the church prayer list, and milestones in the church family’s lives (example: pray for a graduate from high school, the month of their graduation.)
- Pray the scripture for your people. As you read the Bible, certain passages will resonate as the Holy Spirit prompts you to pray that particular scripture for a specific person or family. Example: You might pray Philippians 1:9-10: “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” Another example: For someone struggling to know God’s will in a particular issue, you might pray Colossians 4:12:
“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” Another example: Pray John 17 for your families, that they may abide in Christ and be one. A good resource on praying the Scriptures is Praying the Bible by Don Whitney.
- Pray for lost family members. Develop an evangelistic prayer list. Pray for children and parents who need to be saved. Pray for boldness and the opportunity to visit and have a gospel conversation with these people.
- Pray when milestones occur in families. These milestones might include birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, wedding dates, or anniversaries of the death of family members. People appreciate being prayed for and recognized during these important events.
- Utilize congregational prayer times to pray for specific needs within the church family. Those needs might be a need for boldness in having gospel conversations, comfort for those who lost loved ones in death the previous week, youth transitioning to college, or other needs.
- Pray when making visits to their home or when they are hospitalized. Ask. “What do you need me to ask God on your behalf today?”
- Offer bible studies and preach sermons that emphasize how to engage in intercessory prayer.
- Prayer walk a neighborhood where member families live. Pray with insight from the Holy Spirit on site. Ask those who are willing to join you.
- Prayer walk the church building, praying at each Sunday School class for the teacher and for those who will gather for bible study there next Sunday. Pray that they will understand the bible more clearly and live it out in their everyday lives. Pray at the youth area of the building for the youth and the youth minister who gives leadership. Pray as you walk down the aisle of the worship center for lives to be transformed through the proclamation of the Word this Sunday.
- Use different aspects of prayer in praying for families. Intercession is just one aspect. Another aspect is thanksgiving for their lives, their friendship, and their service. Listening to God regarding their needs and praying the Scripture for them are other aspects of prayer. The Hour That Changes the World by Dick Eastman is a good resource for learning and teaching about various aspects of prayer.
- Ask another person to keep you accountable in praying for your church families. Give permission to them by saying, “Would you periodically ask me ‘How are you doing in your prayer ministry for church families?’ ‘What is going well?’ ‘Where are you struggling?’”
- Establish an effective prayer request system. This may take the form of website submissions, printed forms for submission, or having someone record them during prayer meetings.
James 5:16 states: “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Developing an effective prayer ministry for your flock will indeed help you start well. If you haven’t already done so, start praying and don’t stop!
Photo by Jack Sharp on Unsplash
