Prayer Ministry Team
Helpful Guidelines and Hints
 (This is a modified, generalized, version of the guide lines developed for Cross Timbers)

Prayer Ministry Team members are loving individuals who make themselves available during services for anyone desiring prayer during the services. As a prayer warrior we must always rembere that it is not about us, our opinion, or our judgment. We are offering up ourselves to be a conduit of God's love and mercy. We should draw no attention to our selves. But pray what the Holy Spirit gives us.

Pre-service preparation
*  If possible, try to leave Fellowship Time a few minutes early so you can meet with the other prayer team member for a short prayer together. You can pray over the service and for God to work in and through you both.
*  Practical Pointers: It is not essential that you wear deodorant, brush your teeth, and wear modest clothes in order for the Spirit to work in a person's life, but it is less distractive. Be merciful! :

Prayer time
*  Quietly slip to the designated location during Worship time. People usually do not request prayer during the Praise songs, so you can remain at your seat until Worship begins.
*  While waiting on someone to come for prayer, enjoy a time and let yourself be soaked in worship. It is easy to go from worship into prayer! You can also intercede, as the Lord leads, for the congregation. (Maybe that is all the Lord requires of you at a particular prayer time!)
*  Please always keep your eyes open while praying. This enables you to: - note reactions to the prayer - more easily pick up on any demonic activity - communicate with other prayer partners if you need help or if they have a word/ prayer
*  When someone asks for prayer, listen attentively, then take a few seconds to seek the Holy Spirit's leading on how to pray. Why? God may lead you to pray in a different direction than the actual request. For example, the person may request prayer for physical healing, but God may direct you to pray for peace, actually the greater need…. But, remember to pray for the specific request, too!)
*  Communicate God's love and compassion - ALWAYS the first priority in this setting. Prayer time is not about YOU; it is about a person in need, humbly coming to receive from God. Our job is not to counsel, judge, or in any way draw attention to ourselves. Therefore, always pray in a manner that will communicate God's love and encouragement.
Example: God gives you a word of knowledge that a person is full of fear. Instead of immediately coming against a spirit of fear, ask God how to pray. If you receive nothing specific, pray the "scriptural antidote." In the case of fear, ask God to soak the person with His perfect love (which casts out fear!). Let the Spirit do the work. You do not have to pray out loud the whole time. If you see the Spirit moving in a person, continue to pray quietly so that person can hear God's voice!
*  Utilize team prayer whenever possible. That means to keep a heads-up approach for each other. If you see someone communicating with their eyes they need help, do not hesitate to join in (or look around for more help if you are already praying with someone). If you join another member in praying, discern whether you need to silently contribute or whether you need to pray out loud. Examples: - A man praying for a woman (or vice versa) may prefer a woman to pray aloud ? - The other team member signals you to take the lead via eye contact. You may need to stand behind someone seeking prayer in case the Spirit puts that person in a deep state of receiving …on the floor! Defer to and honor each other with a servant's heart. And remember, this is not about any individual prayer partner; it is about God touching a precious person in need.
*  Do not hesitate to ask for help! There almost always a mature prayer warrior near by. They are always available for prayer. If you need help, ask someone you know to come help. Most of your Christian brothers (sisters) are ready and willing to assist in any way needed.
*  If demonic manifestation takes place, simply shut it down "spirit to spirit" then immediately get someone to stand in agreement with you in prayer. This is not a big deal! - This is rare, as the worship-soaked atmosphere, usually squelches any such activity. - This is not the setting for deliverance ministry, so bind the spirit (usually silently, spirit to spirit) and accompany the person after the service to set up a time to seek help. Try to avoid saying or doing anything that might frighten the person. Reassure him by your attitude and words that God is bigger than anything that comes against us and He can take care of this, too. Follow-up
*  If you sense a person needs counseling, deliverance, or some other follow-up, encourage that person to seek it. Worship time is not normally the place for in-depth ministry of this type. Perhaps you can approach the person after the service and accompany him/her to the pastor to request such help. Be sensitive to the situation and let the Lord lead you.
*  If you receive a word (unless very short) for that person, please ask if you can share it after the service. It is hard to hear during worship and distracting to others to carry on a conversation.
*  Put the names of those receiving prayer on the Intercessors' list for follow-up prayer.