Why devote a whole cell meeting to prayer?

1.               Many churches do not have a prayer meeting  and the cell meetings program often do not include substantial time for corporate prayer.

2.               It gives the cell group members an opportunity to pray, or for those who are new believers, to learn how to pray.

3.               It nurtures spiritual concern and vibrancy and gives room for the Spirit to manifest Himself through spiritual gifts.

4.               It raises expectancy of what God can do through prayer. It strengthens everyone’s faith in the reality of God’s power and love.

5.              The cell members feel loved  and cared for.

How do we devote a whole cell meeting to prayer?  What do we do for the 1 ½ to 2 hours?  Here are some ideas:

Pentecostal Format

1.       Singing to the Lord.  (20 minutes)

2.       Praying in tongues.   (10 minutes)

3.       Waiting on God in silence.  (5 minutes)

4.       Each one takes turn to share what was on their mind during the silence. Images, Words, Verses?   (10 minutes)

5.       The cell leader or appointed person to give a brief talk on prayer.   (10 minutes)

6.       Pray together as a group for three church events/concerns/challenges, missionaries or world.  (10 minutes)

7.       Break up into groups to share prayer needs and to pray and minister to one another.  (30 minutes)

Meditative Format

1.        Listen to a worship CD or video as everyone

prepares themselves and center in. (5 minutes)

2.       The cell leader gives a Gospel scripture text of a story or parable of Jesus, and everyone takes turn to read it.  Read it again, and ask everyone to note any word, phrase or verse or thought that they are attracted to or find relevant or striking.  (10 minutes)

3.       Give everyone time to meditate on what they found interesting in the passage. (10 minutes)

4.       Everyone takes turn to share what they have learned personally or how the passage speaks to them.  (30 minutes)

5.       Break into groups for further sharing of personal concerns and needs, and pray for one another.  (30 minutes).

6.       Come together and pray for 3 matters regarding church, missions, or the world.  (10 minutes)

Sharing Format

1.             Everyone shares about what’s happening in his or her life: one thing to thank God for; one thing that upset or unsettled you.  The leader starts with his honest sharing.  It ends with the leader giving thanks to God for what was shared, and committing the concerns to God in prayer.  (30 minutes)

2.             Sing to the Lord in praise and worship.  (15 minutes)

3.             Scripture shower: everyone selects a verse or passage that blessed them and reads them out, and everyone listens to the word of God.  (10 minutes).

4.             The cell leader shares several major concerns matters for prayer regarding the church, missions or recent world problems, and different persons lead out in prayer. (10 minutes)

5.             Break up into groups to share personal and ministry needs and burdens and pray for one another.  (15 minutes)