Ministry of Touch & Prayer
 

Prayer in a small group is so extraordinary!  Sometimes pray simmers over time through weekly commitments and accountability slowly building to life transformation.  On other occasions prayer burst through barriers of emotions and pain rushing to an intense conversation with God. 
                                     
On more than one occasion I have visited a group when someone began to speak about a deep need or wound in their life.  When this happens I usually begin to think, and then silently pray for another group member to make their move.  Often in times like this we need to listen to God and make a move to minister with touch and prayer.  Jesus did it!

In the instances where I was leading a group and I had the opportunity to lead the ministry of touch and prayer and I know that God was pleased.  I remember our group gathering around Ron before sending him off to dangerous Sudan on a dental mission trip.  As we laid our hands on Ron and prayed the power of God came on all of us.  On another occasion a man told a memory about a dangerous confrontation he had to make of his drunken father.  As we laid hands and prayed for him God brought more healing into his life.  Then there was the occasion when I was facing severe ministry challenges in another church.  I experienced so much comfort from them and God when the group placed their hands on me and prayed. 

This is a simple yet powerful step of leadership.  When you hear God’s leading that someone has a deep wound in their life or is looking towards a tremendous challenge just ask their permission for the group to lay their hands on the person and pray.  After the permission is granted gather the group around the person, lay your hands on them, give some brief instructions for prayer and then, just pray according to God’s leading!