Some leaders are very transparent and come right out and tell you about their current battles. Others simply drop clues in what they say and how they say it. And we’ve all had the ones who are almost unreadable. There is no one-size-fits-all way of knowing what to pray about, and if you aren’t confidant about a prayer request, there’s no shame in just asking them what they need prayer for in their current life.
Like most things, it’s always a great idea to have a plan first. Count the cost, as they say. Don’t just open your mouth and ramble on for as long as it takes to lose your voice. Pray specifically. Pray concisely. Pray efficiently and most important of all, pray from a place of true love.
Start by thanking God for fearfully and wonderfully making them. Then, give gratitude for their obedience to God’s call on their life. Offer specific examples of things you’ve seen in them that honor God and serve others. Ask our Lord to help them with their burdens, clear their paths and give them wisdom for the things laid out in front of them. Finish by asking our Father to bless them in ways that only He can do and in a manner that manifests in a way that only He can take the credit.
And, feel free to leave some room in their for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Once you’ve led by example, coach them on doing the same thing for everyone in their small group. It’s all too easy to take prayer requests as a routine part of the group time, and simply tell the group members you’ll be praying for them. Instead, pray with them, on the spot. Knowing someone they view as a spiritual leader is praying with them will keep them coming back.
This article on growing group leaders originally appeared here and is used by permission.
