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Guided Small Group Prayer Using Slides

The General Idea

Participants will pray together in small groups in shorter bursts of focused prayer to help them stay focused and not lose interest. When time is up or prayer begins to lag, the leader will have group’s come back together and move them to the next topic.

Materials Needed

PowerPoint slides or overhead project

Set Up

Prepare slides with a different prayer focus on each slide and instructions for the group.

Instructions

You will create 8-10 “prayer slides” to display for 4-6 minute prayer segments. You will divide the congregation into groups of 5-7 people, who will then remain in one location in the sanctuary/room. (This activity also helps those who are in a group together get to know each other better.) Assign a group leader for each group by selecting the person whose was born the farthest away, and then have that person choose someone else to be the leader. The group leader’s job is to make sure the group stays focused and observes time limits.

When instructed to begin, group leaders will guide the group by making sure they read the instructions on the slide and pray according to the instructions. Set a specific time for each prayer slide, probably about five minutes. Make sure and announce the time left at one minute. Observe the groups and if necessary, give more or less time depending on how engaged they are. You should walk around and listen in on groups to make sure things are going well and that they understand the instructions.

Ideas for Slides

• The various prayer aspects of the Lord’s Prayer

• Missionaries and their families by name

• Pastoral staff and families by name

• People in the church with significant needs by name


Tips for this Activity

• After putting the people into groups, give them an icebreaker on the first slide to get acquainted briefly before they begin the prayer slides.

• If you have people who may be uncomfortable praying with others, let them know it is OK if they do not feel ready to pray yet.

• This activity accommodates those who are physically unable to get around.

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