Conversational prayer
Written by John White   
Friday, 08 February 2008

These simple guidelines are valuable for praying in twos or praying with a group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

These simple guidelines are valuable for praying in twos or praying with a group. 

 

 

 

Conversational Prayer  

 

In a traditional church service, certain values concerning prayer are modeled.  First, only one or two people pray.  Everyone else is silent and listens to those prayers.  Second, the prayers are a monologue.  There is no expectation that God will speak.  Third, the prayers are generally long and involved.  More like a lecture that covers many topics. 

 

Simple church provides an environment where prayer can once again become a conversational dialogue involving every member.  Recently, Gail Graves sent out some simple but very helpful comments on conversational prayer to his network.  I asked Gail, who is a Dawn Associate, if I could forward his comments to this elist.  I also asked him to give a brief description of his network.  See below. 

 

For more on this kind of prayer, take a look at the classic little book called Prayer: Conversing with God by Rosalind Rinker.  

 

John White
Lk10 Community Facilitator


From Gail Graves on Conversational Prayer:   

11/10/16

John,  Our first group became a church in 1995 in Boise, Idaho.  I am always reluctant to talk about numbers because as you know simple church groups are ever changing.  However at present our network includes ten churches.  Most in southwest Idaho in and around Boise.  We have one church in Colorado Springs, CO and one in Goldthwaite, TX.  One church is a 'cyber church' that meets by phone conference weekly and at least twice annually in person.  This group is dispersed around TX and in Boise.  Joyce and I relate to HC groups outside of the greater Boise area including OR, WA, CA, AK, AZ and TX.

John, it is my believe that intimacy through conversational prayer is an area that virtually all simple churches need to consider.  The molding of hearts together in Christ is tremendously facilitated as people learn to pray this way together.  The results are astounding.  Thanks for your
interest.  I am willing to help in any way possible.  I am at your disposal. 


His Kingdom come, His will be done on earth as in Heaven.   Your brother,
Gail.

Pray Much.
Live Simply.
Love Generously.
Care Deeply.
Speak Kindly.


Greetings to all in Jesus' name.  Several have  asked about conversational prayer lately so I have written down the  principles that I encourage FYI.  As many of you know this is a  common practice in our Treasure Valley HC network.  I am always  amazed at how powerful and thrilling these prayer
times are.  "And  the place where they prayed was shaken...."  Please find the info  attached and below for your convenience.  I thank the Lord for each of you, gg.

Conversational Prayer:

Acknowledge God’s  presence in the group.  Praise and adoration is always
good to help  focus the group on communicating with the Lord.

Pray short prayers of one, two or three sentences.

Pray about one subject, idea or person at  a time until everyone has shared
as much and as often as prompted by the  Spirit.

Be reluctant to change the subject as you would in any  conversation until
everyone is finished with it.

Times of silence  can give the timid and the thoughtful time to contribute.

The more the  conversation with God is passed around the group the deeper
the intimacy  grows.  In time a small group becomes totally unified and purely
transparent.

Watch God’s love flow freely, lives transform and  answers to prayer
abound.