Knowing scripture is a Key to hosting a prayer meeting.

Next time you are leading a prayer meeting, give space to scripture reading and growing in your identity in Christ.

Effective prayer does not originate in feelings but truth. Knowing the truth of God found in Christ sets us free and empowers prayer. Jesus said in John 8:32, “you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” The word of God is truth. The word of God defines you as a saint, royal priest-hood, child of God and the body and bride of Jesus Christ. Christians can struggle to engage with God in prayer at a deep level if they feel shame or condemnation. On the other hand, Christians who understand their right standing with God in Christ, pray with boldness and prowess. If you are hosting a prayer meeting, look for ways to strengthen your team in their acceptance as the Children of God (1 John 3:1-3). Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of God’s word to those present.

When you understand that you are in Christ, you will pray knowing you have God’s ear.

Knowing God’s word and what God thinks of you fosters a deep and powerful prayer life. When you understand that you are in Christ, you will pray knowing you have God’s ear. James wrote (5:13-18), “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.”

During your prayer meeting build your team’s confidence and identity in Christ by:

• Reflecting on scripture. Have your team individually reflect on a piece of scripture that unpacks their identity in Christ. After a selected amount of time in solitude, invite your team to share what impacted them from the scripture reading. Romans 5-8, 2 Corinthians 3-5, any chapter in Ephesians, Col 1:9-29 & 3:1-17, 1 Peter 2:4-10, 2 Peter 1:1-11, and 1 John 3-4 are great scriptures for reflection.
• In small groups declare in prayer the truth of God’s word over one another.
• Declare God’s truth in prayer over lost youth. Pray that they may come to know Jesus.
• Pray God’s word by literally praying and agreeing with scripture. Here is an example:
  “Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:9-10). You can then pray something like, “Father, thank you your word is true and you desire for earth to be just like heaven. I pray asking that the decisions of our community/city/government/individual would reflect the values and authority of heaven. As there is nothing lost in heaven, we ask that the lost in our country would come to be found in the family of God. We pray this in Jesus name.”