Four quick tips from Prayer Guide Lowell Snow:

1. Keep the request time to a minimum by having a prepared list and asking only for updates and additions. Take notes as requests are made and don't enter into 'discussion' about each request. If there's too much discussion, interrupt and ask if you've got the information correct; then read from your notes. If there are no corrections, ask for the next request.
2. Begin the prayer time with a favorite scripture. After they bow their heads, ask them to listen to the words of this scripture. If it's short, read it two or three times. You want the prayer time to be a two way conversation with the Lord and this lets Him speak first.
3. Use prayer by suggestion to guide them in silent prayer. After you finish the scripture, suggest that each person pray silently about the following things. Give them an appropriate time between each suggestion:
   • praise Him for something beautiful in creation.
   • confess sins and ask forgiveness
   • give thanks for the good that God's done.
4. Then ask them to pray out loud, but to pray short prayers for one topic at a time. This is the natural way we carry on conversation and is the best way to carry on a group conversation with God. Remind them that they can pray as many times as they want, but to pray short prayers about one topic at a time. This will allow other members of the group to join that prayer.

Want to know more?

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Prayer Guide - A Manual for Leading Prayer is considered by some to be the most practical book on leading prayer available today. Click here to be transferred to a page where you can read several chapters for free, including the chapter on leading small group prayer which contains a check list for conducting your prayer session.

Biblical Benedictions and Salutations - This is a list of verses for use in guiding prayer times.

First person Prayer Time - Here's a prayer time written out in first person so the prayer leader can read it word for word to lead their group or congregation in a 12 minute prayer time. I wrote it for the Day of Fasting and Prayer, Jan.31, 2010.

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