A Group Method of Waiting on God
From Leaderpedia
by Malcolm Webber
We have found the following simple method to be highly effective for groups, bringing spiritual nurture, focus and the Presence of God to a small group of people.
Every member of the group (anywhere from two to twelve or more people) prays the Lord’s Prayer, thought by thought, one at a time, starting with a new person each time.
So, for example, the first person speaks out the first phrase: “OUR FATHER…” Then the next person prays around that theme: “God you are a Father to me. You have always protected me, provided for me, guided me… etc.” Then the next person prays: “Father, you have always loved us unconditionally, fully giving yourself to us as a father loves his little children… etc.” Each person in the group prays, one after the other.
The prayers do not have to be long or eloquent; they may be a single thought or a lengthy reflection. New believers, in particular, should not be under pressure to pray long prayers. Group member should pray directly to God, not to the other people around them. Their prayers can include worship, specific thanksgiving, praise, petition, reflection, meditation, etc. Prayers must not include preaching to others; they must all be spoken from the heart directly to God. As each person prays, the others listen, focusing on God, inwardly looking at Him, and affirm the words themselves directly to God.
The person who spoke out the phrase initially is the last one to pray about this theme. Then the next person in the group speaks out the next phrase: “Our Father IN HEAVEN…” One by one, all group members then pray around this theme. Again, the person who initiated this theme is the last one to pray about it, and the next person in the group initiates the next phrase. It continues this way until the whole prayer has been prayed by everyone. The prayer time can finish with a group recitation of the whole Lord's Prayer and then a time of spontaneous group praise and worship.
This is a very effective group method of waiting on God. While the Lord’s Prayer is particularly suitable for this, many passages of Scripture can be prayed through in this way by a small group; for example:
- Any of Paul’s prayers (e.g., Ephesians 1:17-23)
- Many of the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 23)
- The beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)
- Passages from the Prophets (e.g., passages from Jeremiah on brokenness for the nations, passages from Isaiah on the hope of the coming glory of God)
- Solomon’s prayer of dedication (1 Kings 8:15-53)
- The Servant Songs (e.g., Is. 52:13 – 53:12)
- Jesus’ prayer of John 17
- Paul victorious statements in Romans 8
- Jesus’ words to the churches in Revelation 2 – 3
- The Ten Commandments of Exodus 20:2-17 (these should be prayed toward God, for repentance, not legalism)
- Any biblical passage that contains prayers, reflections or devotionals
This method can be used for spiritual nurture in building emerging leaders, discipling new believers, small groups in churches, etc. For example, a team of emerging leaders could pray together this way each day with a new passage of Scripture. They could alternate a day of waiting on God this way with a day of praying for each other's specific needs, while once a week praying through the Lord's Prayer (which is quite comprehensive).
Then, try using this approach in the church's meetings on Sunday mornings in a large group - except it might not only be prayers but also short teachings, testimonies (perhaps with a 1-2 minute maximum), exhortations, spiritual ministry, corporate worship, giving, prayer for one another, question and answer time, etc., weaving through the biblical themes with a variety of spiritual and relational interactions (both planned and spontaneous) in the context of the whole church. With effective and non-dominating leadership, this could replace the current “form” (the entire Sunday morning program). Children could be kept in the meeting - either with their families or in small groups of children with experienced leaders to keep them focused - to experience God and church life together.
- What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. (1 Cor. 14:26)
- From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Eph. 4:16)
