The “QUEST”ions
Learning to facilitate dynamic corporate prayer is a process. A quest. So, this book is laid out around QUESTions. In fact, there are about 100 of them in 12 categories or chapters. Browse through the QUESTions and you will get a flavor of the content of the book.
Prelude – What should I know about this book?
1. How can I get the most out of this book?
2. What are some examples of prayer that resulted in people being united and ignited?
3. What do you mean by encountering God?
4. Why do you use the words dynamic and corporate?
5. When and where were you first exposed to this kind of prayer?
6. What are your hopes for this book?
7. To whom are you thankful as you have written this book?
1. Definitions – What do you mean when you say dynamic corporate prayer?
1.1. How is it different from a regular time of prayer?
1.2. How is it different from “individual prayer in a group setting?”
1.3. How is it different from intercessory prayer?
1.4. What if we broadened the meaning of the question, “Would you lead us in prayer?”
1.5. Why do you use the word facilitate rather than lead? What is the difference between the two?
1.6. Do I really need to be involved in any kind of corporate prayer? Why can’t I just pray by myself?
1.7. What is the value of dynamic corporate prayer? What difference does it make?
1.8. What commitments should the pray-ers make for dynamic corporate prayer to be most effective?
1.9. Is this kind of prayer biblical? Do we see a biblical pattern for guided prayer experiences?
2. Components – What are the components of dynamic corporate prayer?
2.1. Does the facilitator really make that much difference in the quality of the prayer time?
2.2. What role do the pray-ers have in a quality time of dynamic corporate prayer?
2.3. What role does our theology of prayer play in dynamic corporate prayer?
2.4. What are the primary components of dynamic corporate prayer?
3. The Holy Spirit – What is the role of the Holy Spirit in dynamic corporate prayer?
3.1. How can I be sure He will lead us in dynamic corporate prayer?
3.2. How can I be sure I will hear His voice?
3.3. How can I deal with distraction to hearing His Voice?
3.4. How does He lead us?
4. Worship – What is the role of worship in dynamic corporate prayer?
4.1. What role do songs play in facilitating dynamic corporate prayer?
4.2. Can we worship without songs? If so, how?
4.3. What should be the primary focus of our prayers?
4.4. What keeps us from focusing on Jesus and worshiping Him in prayer?
4.5. In times of corporate prayer, how do we keep the focus on Jesus and His requests rather than on us and our requests?
5. Scripture – What is the role of Scripture in facilitating dynamic corporate prayer?
5.1. Can we pray from just one verse?
5.2. How can we pray through a large section of Scripture?
5.3. How can we pray through certain topics of Scripture?
5.4. How can we pray from specific Scriptural prayers?
5.5. How can meditation enhance times of corporate prayer?
6. Preparation – What is the role of the facilitator before a session of prayer?
6.1. How can I prepare a room for dynamic corporate prayer?
6.2. How can I prepare my heart before I facilitate a time of corporate prayer?
6.3. How can I prepare to start a specific time of dynamic corporate prayer?
6.4. What perspectives should I have in order to facilitate dynamic corporate prayer?
6.4.1. Is it about more than prayer?
6.4.2. Do you, personally, embrace the value of corporate prayer?
6.4.3. Do you embrace the importance of the facilitation process?
6.4.4. Are you entering the time of prayer with a desire to deepen your own relationship with Jesus?
6.5. What are some essential traits a facilitator should possess?
6.6. How can we prepare a group as we begin a time of prayer?
6.7. How can we encourage “equal participation” in prayer? That is, how can we encourage those who normally don’t pray out loud to do so and how can we encourage those who normally do prayer our loud to do so less?
7. Participation – While I am facilitating, what should I be thinking about?
7.1. How can we direct a dynamic corporate prayer session once it is started?
7.2. What is the role of listening in facilitating?
7.2.1. Why is it important to listen… To the Holy Spirit?
7.2.2. Why is it important to listen… To the other pray-ers?
7.2.3. Why is it important to listen… To the songs sung and the Scriptures read?
7.2.4. Why is it important to listen… To the facilitator?
7.3. What role does creativity play in facilitating dynamic corporate prayer?
7.4. What is the role of prayer tracks in dynamic corporate prayer?
7.5. What are the signals of a change in topic and how can I navigate that change?
7.6. How can we get back on track if we get sidetracked?
7.7. How does facilitating a large group differ from facilitating smaller groups?
8. Evaluation – What should I consider and process after a time of corporate prayer?
8.1. Apart from the actual time of prayer, how can I train myself to facilitate better?
8.2. How can I evaluate the effectiveness of a give session of prayer?
8.3. How can I help pray-ers (in my group or congregation) continue to grow in dynamic corporate prayer?
9. In Congregations – Part I – How can dynamic corporate prayer be incorporated into the life of a congregation?
9.1. What is the role of the senior leader in developing dynamic corporate prayer in a congregation?
9.2. What is the role of dynamic corporate prayer in a weekend service?
9.2.1. How can it relate to our preaching and teaching?
9.2.2. How can it relate to our worship?
9.2.3. How can it relate to the pastoral prayer?
9.3. How can it make a difference in home groups, or Sunday School classes?
9.4. What about other special times of prayer?
9.4.1. With vocational and volunteer staff
9.4.2. With leadership teams
9.4.3. Pre-service prayer
9.4.4. Prayer during the service
9.4.5. Seasonal – Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or Pentecost
9.5. How could dynamic corporate prayer revive our weekly prayer meeting?
9.6. How can we establish a welcoming environment for God’s presence?
10. In Congregations – Part II – Should our congregation consider doing a Congregational Prayer Summit?
10.1 What is a Congregational Prayer Summit?
10.2 Why should we consider a Congregational Prayer Summit?
10.3 How would we plan a Congregational Prayer Summit?
10.4 Who should facilitate our Congregational Prayer Summit?
11 Families – How can families make use of dynamic corporate prayer?
11.1 What is the role of parents and grandparents in dynamic corporate prayer?
11.2 How can we help young children get started in dynamic corporate prayer?
11.3 How can we keep teenagers engaged in dynamic corporate prayer?
12 Other factors
12.1 What are some hindrances to meaningful dynamic corporate prayer?
12.2 What is the most dangerous and what is the best facilitation activity you know of?
12.3 How can sharing in Communion enhance times of dynamic corporate prayer?
12.4 How do times of silence and non-verbal prayer fit into dynamic corporate prayer?
12.5 Should we use various settings – individual, small group, large group – during our prayer time? If so, how?
12.6 What about the “chair” and praying for each other?
12.7 Is there a place for teaching and instruction during times of dynamic corporate prayer?
12.8 What other items (i.e. handouts) can help serve dynamic corporate prayer?
12.9 How does “What are your prayer requests?” fit into dynamic corporate prayer?
12.9.1 Then how can we pray effectively for other people in this model?
12.9.2 Does dynamic corporate prayer work when we have a specific prayer focus?