PURPOSE• Actively to encourage and promote prayer for and with one another at St Nicolas.
• That by being open and responsive to the work of the Holy Spirit, God's love, guidance and healing power will be released for the benefit of His people and to His glory.
• To see God's kingdom come in Newbury! EXPECTATIONS OF MEMBERS OF THE TEAM• New members will be prayerfully authorised by the Prayer Support Team.
• The Team will include a member of the clergy.
• To be aware of, and adhere to the principles set out in these guidelines.
• To seek to be open to the Holy Spirit in prayer.
• To be available on a rota basis to pray at the end of services (particularly 9.15, 11.00 and 6.30), or if specifically asked to pray for an individual.
• To pray over the prayer request post-its at the back of church, and the long term sick list.
• To have a commitment to appropriate induction, regular Prayer Support Team meetings and ongoing training.
• To wear a name badge when on duty.
• To be sensitive to issues of confidentiality. SUPPORT FOR MEMBERS OF THE TEAM• Access to church leadership and other members of the team for support, encouragement via regular group review meetings and individually as available and appropriate. GUIDELINE DO'S• Pray in pairs and if possible make sure that at least one of them is the same sex as the person being prayed for. If no-one is available, ask the church leadership to come alongside. • Pray together beforehand. • Take care with personal hygiene, avoiding strong smells, e.g. body odour, bad breath or strong perfume. • Introduce yourself to the person if meeting them for the first time, and explain what will happen. • Find out what the person wanting prayer is concerned about. • Be aware that sometimes people will not want to share, they will just want you to pray. If this happens, ask God for wisdom and discernment, take some time and then pray. • Do ask permission before laying on hands. Place your hands carefully: shoulders or above. No real need to touch that much - a single hand to reassure is best. • Give plenty of time to hear God. • Share appropriately. • Encourage individuals to pray as well as being prayed for, if appropriate. • Keep tissues to hand. • Ask for feedback and pray for the person during the week. GUIDELINE DON'TS• Don't counsel - these times are opportunities to identify a particular prayer issue, then to simply pray. • Don't meet with an individual alone. • Don't promise absolute confidentiality (although do not share prayer requests). If there is a danger of harm to themselves or to a third party, or that they maybe subject to harm, take your concerns to a church minister. If there is an under 18 involved then the church will act in accordance with the adopted Child Protection Policy. • Don't pray with children unless a parent is present. • Don't tell people their future. • Don't tell someone they have a demon. • Don't laugh at them. REMEMBER...• This is God's work. We are meeting the needs of others on the basis of God's resources - we are not there to counsel but to speak God's love and allow God to minister into the situation. • Pray with your eyes open so you can see what God is doing. • Pray with words of knowledge. • At the end of each prayer time say "The Lord bless you and thank you for letting me pray for you." Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21) |