How To Conduct A
Mini-Prayer Retreat or 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