What
is the content of a prayer meeting? (See I Cor. 14:26-33)
Opening prayer; time of praise & worship; singing; prophecy
(God speaking through someone); tongues (in song as well); interpretation
of tongues; scripture reading; teachings; testimony; sharing.
How
long do the prayer meetings last?
Usually a minimum of 1 ½ hours.
Matthew 26:40 "How is it that you were not able to watch
with me for one hour?"
Do
I have to raise my hands and pray like others do?
No - you should pray as you feel comfortable-- as, if you were
alone with Jesus. Pray as you feel Comfortable, but also respect
others - the way they pray and feel comfortable.
Do
I have to say "praise the Lord, alleluia, etc.?"
No - you do not have to say or do anything 'you are not comfortable
with. Just keep open to the Holy Spirit and pray however you
wish - just PRAY.
Is
a prayer group a parish organization?
No - a prayer group is made up of individuals that get together
weekly as a family for the purpose of giving Jesus the praise
He deserves. The first and primary purpose of all prayer is
to praise and honor the God who created us and who gives us
all the gifts and blessings we enjoy each day.
What
are the spiritual gifts we pray for? (See I Cor. 12, also
13 & 14)
Wisdom; knowledge; faith; prophecy (2 Peter 1:20-21); discernment
of spirits; tongues (Acts 2:4); interpretation; healing (Acts
5.12-16); miracles (Acts 2:43).
Is
the "Baptism In The Spirit" a new sacrament?
No - it is merely a RELEASE of the POWER of the Holy Spirit
already within US - helping us to appreciate Jesus, the Bible,
our daily prayer life, our faith, etc., in a deeper way.
Do
we have to speak at a prayer meeting?
No - the ones that speak, prophesy or read are usually moved
to do so by the Spirit (John 14:26 "the Helper, the Holy
Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you
everything, and make you remember all that I have told you").
What
is "testimony"?
Telling how- the Lord is working in your life. One's testimony
should be short and to the point. Nothing can deaden a testimony
more than rambling and irrelevant detail. Make it "short
and sweet."
How
can I grow spiritually?
Attend the prayer meeting each week, read from the Bible at
least 15 minutes daily, talk to the Lord throughout the day
and take time to listen to Him (through prayer). Short courses
will be offered as time goes on, as a 'Life In The Spirit Seminar"
(7 weeks), a "Foundations Course" (8 to 10 weeks),
Scripture Courses, etc.
Who
can give a teaching at a meeting?
A teaching is reserved to one who has cleared through the leadership
or core group. This is to insure proper teaching.
Is
a prayer meeting based on the bible?
Yes -- Jesus said. "Where 2 or 3 are gathered in My name,
there am I in their midst. "(Matthew 18:19-20), 1 Cor.
14:26; Acts 1: 14; Acts 2;42; Revelation 3:20-21; Rev. 22:17.
Covenant Community (one step further) Acts 2:46.
Why
do we sing? (Colossians 3:16)?
Singing is away of praying, praising and worshipping God. St.
Augustine said, "he who sings prays twice." It should
not turn in t o a songfest. We should PAUSE, between songs,
readings, prophecies, etc., and LISTEN. This is the time the
Holy Spirit can talk to us. We need Silence to Reflect and allow
the Spirit-to Work.
Why
do some greet others with a hug?
This is just a sign of brotherhood. See I Cor. 16:20: 2 Cor.
13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5- 26 and 1 Peter 5:14.
Is
a prayer meeting like a Eucharistic Celebration (Liturgy or
Mass)?
Don't compare one with the other. The Eucharist is a reliving
of the greatest act of love that ever took place upon earth
-- the Last Supper and Calvary combined (Jesus offering Himself
to the last drop of blood for each of us). In the Eucharist
we receive Jesus, body, blood, soul and divinity. In a prayer
meeting, Jesus is present as in the Mass, in the Scripture Readings,
where 2 or 3 are gathered, in each other, in prophecy, etc.,
only we ''worship Him from an informal viewpoint rather than
in a structured celebration.
Where
can I read something on the Holy Spirit in the Bible?
John 14:16 and 26; John 15:26; John 16:7 and 13; Acts 1:4 and
8; Acts 2:4, 17 and 38; Acts 4:31; Acts 5:32; Acts 8:17; Acts
10:44-48; Acts 19:5-6; Romans 5:3-5; Romans 8:1-17; 26-27; 1
Cor. 2:6-16; 1 Cor. 3:16; Galations 5:16-26 and many others.
Is
Satan Real?
See Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5: 8; Matthew 4: 1-3 1, Matt
8:28-34; 32 Matt.10:1-8; Matt 12:22-28; Matt. 13:36-43;; Mark-1-4.
The
importance of prayer and fasting:
See Matthew 17:20-21; Matt. 21:22; Mark 9:29; Mark 11:22-26;
Mark 14:37-38; Luke, 6:12; Luke 11:1-11; John 8:42-47; Luke
4:1-2; Luke 6:12-16; John 11: 41-42; Matt. 26:36-46; Acts 2:42.
What
should I keep in mind when attending prayer meetings?
