24-7 Prayer

An organisation called 24-7 Prayer exists to transform the world through a lifestyle of Christ-centred, mission-minded prayer. The idea is to have people praying for your community, friends and school non-stop over a day, weekend or even a week. Don’t feel that it’s just for young people as many adults may like to join in as well. Their website www.24-7prayer.com provides you with everything you could need but to get you started there’s a few pointers below.



 STEP 1: PLANNING YOUR SEASON OF PRAYER

• Remember: It takes at least 36 people-hours to fill just one day! Don't be over ambitious. It is always better to quit while you are ahead rather than get everyone totally exhausted. Find a team of people who want to be involved and then work out what is feasible.
• We think it is really important to locate your prayer in a fixed place. Maybe a class room, but probably a room at your church or in someone’s house. Decorate it in a way that will encourage prayer and creativity. Why a fixed place?
• The Holy Spirit can fill a place as well as a person. There can be a real sense of God's presence in the room after hours of prayer there.
• There is something good about people having to go somewhere to pray - even at night.
• There is built in accountability that means people have to turn up on time to 'pass on the baton'. It is too easy to oversleep etc. and not to tell anyone.

• You need a large chart dividing each day up into half-hour or one hour slots, where people can sign up.

• Post a 1 hour prayer guide in the room. This should be focused around certain issues in your community and take people on a spiritual journey.

• Visit 24-7’s website www.24-7prayer.com for a great selection of resources to help you, many of which are free. Don’t go it alone allow other people’s experiences to develop you.