The How To's of Prayer Ministry

1.1.1.3.1 The Responsibilities of the Strategic Prayer Coordinator or Prayer Outreach Coordinator

1. Directing the overall development of a strategic prayer plan for growth both in the local church and for citywide prayer strategies, discussion and planning can and should take place as gatherings of prayer ministries and leaders arise in cooperation. Other planning times will become necessary as the vision expands. Ideally, the strategic prayer coordinator should recruit a team to assist in the planning process, which may need to meet separately to first mobilize a task force. Just as secular city governments create "planning commissions" to oversee the overall development in the city, so the churches should have a [task force] team that is thinking strategically about how best to reach their city.
2. Producing a written strategic plan with goals and objectives that represents the corporate vision of the churches in the city. The plan should be publicized as it takes shape. The very same principles that helped build a successful on campus prayer strategy can be implemented on a larger scale to further catalyse a large area. Cooperation can cut the cost of such a vision to nothing simply because all tap into or share resources.
3. See to it that quality research is carried out for the city. Key areas of spiritual conflict need to be identified as part of planning a city strategy. Demographic, economic, and historical information should be collected. Participants need to learn everything they can about their city.
4. Assist in planning citywide events such as city prayer-walks, prayer summits, workshops and conferences for pastors and intercessors and other local and regional events.
5. Delegate logistic and administrative work to others. As the plan moves from cooperation on large events, prayer rallies should be focused to meet the needs of age groups such as youth and even the elderly. Much of the planning will need to be delegated to lay people who have the time with the recommendation of those who are the pastors in the local church. The specifics of how ministries are to be coordinated can be left to those who run the ministries, as long as they are working in harmony with the overall strategic plan.

As a strategic plan begins to take shape and more and more believers become involved, relationships between key leaders in different churches, both lay and professional, begin to deepen. Joint ministry involvement lessens the impact of doctrinal and traditional difference. As God begins to bring fruit to the effort, a deep joy and sense of partnership will emerge, bringing to all a picture of one church in a city with various members. Truly the vision of Jesus in John chapter 17. When the churches in a city are truly united in their effort to reach their city, even the secular powers take notice. Some associations of pastors in certain cities have actually placed a prayer monument or plaque in a strategic place in their city describing their covenant commitment to pray for their city, its churches, leaders and families.

As part of an effort to create a prayer strategy in a given city, churches may find it helpful to work together in some of the above activities. For example, afternoon prayer-walks are events that several churches can do together. Days of fasting during times of key need can become a citywide event. A prayer school taught with the cooperation of different churches by prayer leadership or pastors. Public prayer rallies at selected sites can be held periodically. As lay people in various churches have the experience of praying together whether it be a prayer-walk or other event, relationships will develop that will assist in the breaking down of barriers between churches and bringing the Spirit of God into a city to bring blessing and salvation to it's people.

Task Force Ideas:
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