How to Start a Breakthrough Prayer Group
by Karen Braun"Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest." Psalm 126:5-6 (NLT)
The Value of a Prayer Group
- God is strategically calling and placing prayer groups in cities where He desires to move by His Spirit
- He is transforming those he calls to pray, through His Word
- He is teaching how to hear, agree and obey His Heart
- He is releasing labourers with divine power, purpose and plan through our prayers as he manages His Harvest
HOW TO START A BREAKTHROUGH PRAYER GROUP
- Identify your burden
- Pray and ask God for at least one or two others to join you in prayer - You could say, "Do you know what God is doing? He is mobilizing and training an army to contend in prayer for his harvest of souls? Will you pray and ask him if he's calling you to enlist in a breakthrough prayer group?"
- Gather together and agree on a consistent time and place to meet for one hour each week
- REGISTER your group and start your faith adventure with the FACTS on ACTS
HOW TO BECOME A BREAKTHROUGH PRAYER GROUP FACILITATOR
- Agree with the Breakthrough's statement of faith, mission, vision and mandate
- Register to become a Breakthrough prayer group facilitator
- Gather others with a similar or shared burden who will commit to meeting weekly for an hour to pray with you. Promotional materials
- Share your God stories with us
- Discover resources and training to empower your faith adventure
- Join us in a city near you for a spiritual life celebration
If you have any questions please contact us at (email/snail mail address)
“Prayer is a trade to be learned. We must be apprentices and serve our time at it. Painstaking care, much thought, practice, and labour are required to be a skillful tradesman in praying. Practice in this, as well as in all other trades, makes perfect.” E.M. Bounds
BREAKTHROUGH PRAYER GROUP SUGGESTED GUIDELINES
- Bring your Bibles as declaring and praying Scripture are vital aspects of the prayer hour.
- The ACTS Scriptural guide is a helpful tool God has blessed that unites, strengthens and encourages powerful prayer in a group setting. To become comfortable learning how to contend in prayer using this guideline we recommend taking this online training. The ACTS verses are emailed to Registered Breakthrough Groups or you can download them here.
- Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers rather than discussing the issues. Keep outside and personal prayer issues to a minimum.
- Be sensitive to hold in confidence the prayers and concerns shared in your group which helps to build respect, integrity and trust.
- All group members should be trained to champion the group so the prayer times can continue even in the absence, or relocation of the group champion.
- When possible and where permission is given, pray on-site, respecting the trust you have been given and being sensitive not to overstep any boundaries.
- Do not engage in lobbying, protesting or pressuring in social or political causes regardless of the worthy cause. If any group member has any concerns they are to approach the issue as an individual and not under the name or on the behalf of Breakthrough.
- As an interdenominational prayer group the approaches to prayer will vary. Please refrain from using personal forms of prayer during the hour, i.e. speaking in tongues out loud or praying the rosary. Our purpose is to pray in agreement and be unified by the Spirit. click here for policy
- Remember your call and commitment to prayer will be tested and distracted! Disunity is just one scheme of enemy to immobilize prayer. “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3 (NIV) See Matthew 18
ENCOURAGEMENT SUGGESTED GUIDELINES
God’s call for us to pray is also a call to love. What greater way to demonstrate his love than through the ministry of encouragement. Not only do you have the opportunity to invest and contend in prayer for souls in the domains of your city (for who and what God has laid on your heart), but also to care with acts and words of kindness and encouragement to those you are praying for. Encouragment puts action to your prayers with results that can provide even greater relationship and insight into the challenges and pressures people face ... for more prayer.
- Once you are established as a praying group, consider introducing yourself to those you are praying for. Ask God to give you his timing.
- Ask God when and how to show encouragement with acts of kindness or practical ways to serve. Trust him to specifically direct a ministry of encouragement. When walking in obedience to the Holy Spirit’s promptings you will be amazed at his perfect timing and care through you, even the simplest gestures.
- The group should be in agreement with one another as to how it will show God’s love through encouragement. Obeying the prompting of God’s Spirit will always be life-giving for everyone involved.
- If you occasionally send correspondence from your group, signing your names and indicating what you have prayed for them is meaningful gesture. Again trust God’s timing.
- When possible, pray for people by name and personalize expressions of appreciation, as the Spirit directs. Many may have never received a note of encouragement! Check out the Breakthrough Prayer E-Cards online.
- View occasions such as an illness, time of grief or sorrow as opportunities to express your care.
- Watch for opportunities to invite someone you are praying for to a local outreach event.
- Be prepared to share your personal faith adventure when asked. Check out our resources online to help you develop your testimony. “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15
- Ultimately trust God to prompt you and then obey him. You will be thrilled to see the results! Your faith comes alive!
- Your communication as a group or as an individual should always reflect care, with the desire to encourage and build up. Unity as a group is part of that! Be alert to, and resist the enemy’s scheme to ensnare you. Choose to not take offense.This requires walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer Power Tools for Breakthrough