February 2024 – Community of Pray–Ers

February 2024 – Community of Pray–Ers

Scripture:

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Gal. 5:13, 14).

Supplies Needed

  • Craft sticks (tongue depressor size)
  • Mason Jar
  • White index cards
  • Blue, green, and yellow index cards
  • Blank envelopes
  • Basket
  • Posterboard
  • World Map/Globe
  • Markers (variety of colors)
  • Pens
  • Card stock for station signs (tent fold)
  • Printed directions for each station
  • Blue tooth device/phone/computer/speakers for Meditative background music

Welcome

Welcome and explain the time of worship. As the women arrive, have them each write a prayer request on a large craft stick and place it in a Mason Jar labeled “requests for intercession.” Place the jar on the table labeled “Intercession.” Also, ask them to write their names on a blank envelope and put it in the basket at the “Cards of Joy” table. After the devotional, break the women into groups of no less than three people to participate in the prayer stations. They should spend between 5-7 minutes at each station.

Set–Up Prayer Stations

Set up five areas for the prayer stations. Identity each station with a card stock/tent fold and printed instructions.

Cards of Joy

Supplies: envelopes, blank notecard, pens, basket

No matter what, you can never share enough joy and encouragement with others. Chose an envelope which has a women’s name on the outside. Take a blank card and write them a note or Scripture verse to share the joy of the Lord with them. Seal and leave it in the basket at the table. These will be mailed to them at a later date.

Intercession

Supplies: jar labeled “requests for intercession.”

Ephesians 6:18 tells us to: “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” This station is for prayers of intercession. Take a tongue depressor out of the jar and pray for each request as a group.

Love Your Neighbor

Supplies: Poster board, colorful markers

Galatians 5:14 says, “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself.” Take a moment to think of a neighbor for whom God might call you to pray. You don’t need to write their name, but rather a phrase to describe them (my next-door neighbor, my child’s bus driver, the Starbucks barista). Add them to the prayer poster, and then take time with your group to pray for these people.

Responsibility

Supplies: World map or globe

First, Timothy 2:1-4 reads, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” As a group, pray for people in other countries. Pray for God’s protection, for those in authority, for peace, and for our brothers and sisters in Christ to boldly proclaim the Gospel story to their neighbors.

Unity

Supplies: blue/green/yellow note cards, pens

Psalm 133:1, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” This station provides an opportunity for prayer over The Church to live in harmony as one body—seeking to build bridges among believers, acting as a peacemaker within the body of Christ. You have the choice to pray for unity with three different aspects of The Church: your local church, the global church, and those who do not yet know Christ as Lord and Savior. Choose a colored note card (Blue– Local Church, Green–Global Church, Yellow– those who don’t know Christ yet). Write on that notecard what you desire for that individual/group/country and take turns praying for these things together as a group. Save your notecard and take it with you as a reminder to continue in prayer for these things.

Serve One Another

What does it look like to “serve one another humbly in love?” The phrase “one another” implies that serving happens in the community context. If we think about our community context, we can all think of many opportunities to serve. So often, we serve on our own only to realize that our energy is being drained quickly. As a community of believers, we need others to speak to us words of love and encouragement when our tanks start getting empty. We also benefit from serving together in the community with one another.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says it well: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

It’s our privilege as a body of believers to be connected, love one another, and spur each other on to do the good work God has for us. We can only do that through the power of His Holy Spirit. We serve “in love” by inviting God’s Holy Spirit to give us the strength we need to do His work. It is only possible to serve one another in love when we continuously invite God’s power to work in and through our lives.

What better way to do that than through communication and prayer with God? Ephesians 6:18 tells us to: “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Today as we consider loving one another and living in community, we’re going to practice just that by joining in prayer at the prayer stations that have been prepared for us.

Other Resources

Prayer Stations/Prayer

Music