Jesus Youth Prayer Group (BJMM047)

Jesus Youth Prayer Group

Prayer groups, Small Groups (Cells), and JY Households are the three most essential fellowships of the Jesus Youth movement. A Jesus Youth Cell is a small group that meets frequently to share in an atmosphere of prayer and grow into a witnessing community in the guidance of the Spirit. A Jesus Youth Prayer Group is a larger fellowship of committed individuals coming together to grow as disciples of Jesus and empowered to build up His Kingdom in the context of the darkness around. 

A prayer group focuses on building a lively Christian fellowship centered on building the members' relationship with the Lord through praise, worship, and faith-building gatherings. The fruit of the members' faith life is manifested in various missionary initiatives of individuals and groups that flow out of it. Such initiatives of a prayer group can include outreaches to people in need, celebrating the common festivals (Easter, Onam, Christmas, etc.) in a Christian way, awareness campaigns on the value of life, media, violence, moral values, initiating nature clubs, career and life guidance, welcoming freshers, exam preparation sessions, help-line for the troubled, Bible study for the committed, etc. 

A Prayer Group is like a table supported by 4 legs. 

They are:

i. Faith formation (teachings and other content input, Word of God, and group study)

ii. Group building (knowing one another, sharing and supporting, doing something together)

iii. Mission (Evangelization, Sharing what I have, outreach to the poor, and other initiatives)

iv. Prayer (Praise & worship, intercession, Eucharistic adoration, participation in Sacraments)

A Jesus Youth Prayer Group is built on a weekly prayer gathering called the Prayer Meeting, the most crucial power source for all life and activities.

The Path of a Prayer Meeting

It is often quite spontaneous and varied, yet usually has the following elements, often in this pattern.

INTRODUCTION  >>      Lively entrance. Joyful songs to awaken love, freedom, and joy (Is. 61.3)

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PRAISE   >>   Lifting the spirits to God both for his own sake and in thanksgiving (Ps. 98. 4-9;                                         47.1)

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DEEPER PRAISE  >>  A time when loud praise quietens down at the threshold of worship. A Moving                                 from the earthly to the heavenly – the presence of God. (Ps. 95. 1-6)

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WORSHIP    >>      God in his holy of holies. Listening in silence (Ps. 46. 10; Zech. 2.13)

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PROPHECY   >>   Speaking / Singing / Word Gifts (Testimony on insights / Word of God).

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TEACHING   >>  Hear God’s Word expounded. It can also take the form of a group study.

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HEALING    >>   Ask, and you shall receive. Listening to others' needs and concerns flows into prayer.

INTERCESSION

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ANNOUNCEMENTS >> A time for joyful interaction. It is a time when missionary initiatives sprout.

FELLOWSHIP    

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CONCLUSION >>        Spontaneous thanks for “happenings” at the meeting itself. Go forth.

 

How To Make Your Prayer Group Effectively Evangelistic

I. PRAYER GROUP VISION/ MISSION

        1. Prayer Group and Prayer Meeting: A meeting is an event, but a group is enduring relationships

        2. Clarity is needed; it has to grow on what a praying community is and where God is leading it.

II. “COME AND SEE” - A sign of a lively group is the new invitees coming in. Welcome them!

III. A GATHERING THAT EVANGELISES 

1. Prayer Meetings

    a. Praise & Worship is the most essential part.

            1. Have a vision of the joyful presence of the Lord and heavenly praise. (Rev. 4.6-11; 5.8-14)

            2. Become conscious of who is here and what the Lord is doing today here.

            3. Prepare well, yet be spontaneous and be ready to listen to the move of the Spirit in others

            4. Connect and communicate. Be friendly and joyful, and draw in everyone together.

    b. Listening to what God speaks gives direction:

            1. Teaching based on the Word of God and Church teachings

            2. Word Gifts - Encourage messages, inspirations, visions and prophecies.

            3. Witness - Sharing of faith-filled experiences enriches the members and lifts the spirits

    c.  Meeting and Greeting - Welcome people warmly as they come and during meetings

    d.  Praying with and for others - One best form of love is praying with and for their needs.

2. Teaching - The quality of guidance sets the group's tone. The teaching needn't be a class, but it can be a                 discussion by a team, team teaching, a video input, interviewing someone, and so on. The test of                 its effectiveness is how the group received it and the level of behavioral change that followed.

3. Clustering - Sharing in small groups helps everyone to speak and talk. It can be highly participative.

4. Sharing - testimonies of the Lord's action. People are most inspired when they see faith alive.

5. Having a meal together. Jesus used this approach a lot.

6. Relaxing - joy-filled fellowship - Picnics, games, outings.

7. Intercession & Healing - Bringing others to the Lord who heals

8. Acting with mercy and justice - Going out together to share love and the good news

ELEMENTS OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP  

How we express praise and worship are many and varied. Most of the following elements combine as the Spirit of God prompts the leader of the prayer meeting and the people to form one heart and voice that rises in appreciation of the Lord.

 1. SINGING

  Ps .95:1 “O come, let us sing to the Lord, let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!”

a) PLAIN SINGING   - refers to songs sung by  the entire assembly to praise God.

Ps. 30. 4 “Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name”

b) INSPIRED SONG/ “NEW” SONG – A spontaneous song (words and melody) sung by an individual which draws those assembled into deep praise, or sung by the whole assembly as the Spirit gives them expression.

Ps. 149.1 “Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of the faithful!”

c) SINGING IN THE SPIRIT (Tongues) – Spontaneous melodies that emerge from the whole group or individuals in an unknown language, which is the faith expression understood by God alone.

Ps. 104.34 “May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.”

2. PLAYING INSTRUMENTS 

Playing any instruments in praise of the Lord

Ps. 150. 3-5 “Praise him with trumpet sound; praise with lute and harp! Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and pipe!

3. FREE PRAISE - THE WORD OF PRAISE 

Each one gives praise and glory to God simultaneously.

Ps. 67.3 “Let the peoples praise Thee O God; let all the peoples praise Thee!”

Ps. 93. 1, 2 he Lord reigns; He is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed, He is girded with strength.… Thy throne is established from of old, Thou art from everlasting’

4. PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING  

A time when different people spontaneously give thanks to God for various things 

Ps. 75.1 “We give thanks to Thee, O God, we give Thee thanks; we call on Thy name and recount Thy wondrous deeds.”

5. SHARED PRAISE  

Each one praises God for who he is in the presence of the people. 

Ps. 22.22 “I will tell of Thy name to my brethren; in the midst of the congregation, I will praise Thee.

6. PRAISE FROM SCRIPTURE  

Short passages suitable verses from scripture are read as inspired response to the praise arising out of the assembly.

7. MAKING A JOYFUL NOISE 

Letting go of ourselves, clapping, shouting, and so on. Joyful noise has a “release” effect and opens us to the action of God.

Ps. 100.1 “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!”

8. ACTIONS, PRAISING WITH ONE'S BODY 

Express approval of or acknowledge the presence of someone held in high esteem (celebrity) a) Clapping hands and b) Lifting hands

Ps. 47.1 “Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy.”

Ps. 63. 4 “So I will bless Thee as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on Thy name.”

9. DANCING BEFORE THE LORD  

To dance out of joy and appreciation of God, being caught up by the Spirit of God as David danced before the Ark (2 Sam. 6.14).

Ps. 150.4: “Praise him with timbrel and dance; praise him with strings and pipes!”

10. SILENCE - WORSHIP 

Silent, contemplative adoration of God. While praise is an expression of appreciation and admiration, worship is an expression of reverence and adoration. This would arise in the heart out of our love of the Lord.

Ps. 46.10 “Be still and know that I am God.  I am exalted among the nations..”

Adoration is the first act of the virtue of religion. To adore God is to acknowledge him as God, as the creator and Saviour, the Lord and Master of everything that exists, as infinite and merciful Love.

“PHILOSOPHY” OF PRAISE & WORSHIP

What do we do?

Prayer Meetings cannot thrive without some structure and good leadership. Unless a minimal pattern is followed, it is difficult for people to surrender themselves to the Spirit's work.

Using a structure (though not used rigidly or mechanically) can be a freeing experience. We can throw ourselves into worship without worrying about unexpected interruptions. Each knows that an opportunity to express oneself at the appropriate time will be given.

Set the Spirit free

The Key to order and leadership in a prayer meeting rests with the individual members of the group. At every stage of the prayer meeting, we should be submissive to and supportive of the element of praise and worship emerging through the leader. This also means following the leader's direction promptly; this makes it easier for him/ her to help the group respond to the Holy Spirit.