There’s a stirring of the Spirit in the church today. God’s moving His people to pray. Grassroots prayer gatherings are springing up in neighborhoods and on social media. Denominational leaders are calling for prayer and fasting. Clergy are scheduling midweek prayer services.
Personally, I’m encountering more women who feel burdened to pray. Are you? Some are looking for prayer partners, others for a mentor to teach them how to pray more effectively, and some need a friend who will pray for their needs. As a women’s ministry leader, here are practical ways to minister to each of these women and incorporate prayer into your ministry:
- Add a Prayer Coordinator to your women’s ministry team.
A Prayer Coordinator enlists intercessors to be part of her team. This team prays for women in your church and for all the workings of Women’s Ministry. They serve as a ministry team at your gatherings and encourage and pray with hurting women.
- Provide ministry time after your events.
After the “program” ends, invite women to linger for ministry time. Have the prayer team available for ladies to receive prayer, or give them the chance to unpack the teaching with friends and pray for each other right in their seats before departing.
- Gather women in your community for prayer.
Our Women’s Prayer Team hosts a monthly gathering of women in our city for prayer and conversation. We meet off campus in a central location where all are invited to attend. In this relaxed setting, we begin with a short devotional and then break into small groups for prayer.
- Offer Bible studies on prayer.
Teach your ladies the scriptural basis for prayer with resources such as: Stormie Omartian’s The Power of Praying Series, Ronnie W. Floyd’s The Power of Prayer and Fasting, Stephen & Alex Kendrick’s War Room Bible Study, Priscilla Shirer’s The Armor of God, and Beth Moore’s Praying God’s Word.
- Host a prayer retreat.
We did this and it was a revolutionary. Include teaching on different aspects of prayer, followed by a non-threatening workshop time to put prayer into practice within small groups. Ladies left having experienced the thrill of prayer and were equipped with new ideas and more confidence in their praying.
- Encourage women to start prayer groups.
At the conclusion of our retreat, I encouraged women to exchange contact information and continue praying together. Prayer groups can happen in neighborhoods, offices, or even over Skype and telephone.
- Remember to pray with your team.
Lay aside the calendar and to-do list. Gather your team and get still before the Lord. Take time to share what God is doing in your lives, and pray together regularly. Be bold in asking God to awaken you and your women’s ministry team to a vibrant walk of prayer.
As you consider incorporating some of these ideas into your women’s ministry, also consider inviting women to see War Room, a new movie about the power of prayer from the award-winning Kendrick Brothers that opens nationwide on August 28. War Room is a compelling drama with humor and heart that explores the power that prayer can have on marriages, parenting, careers, friendships, and every other area of our lives.
Angela Cottrell attends Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, TN, where she is active in both prayer and women’s ministries. She is married to Travis Cottrell, worship leader for EBC as well as for Lifeway’s Living Proof Live events with Beth Moore.
