A. The Strategy May Include Many Ways to Call People to Prayer. Use whatever approach fits in your cultural or geographic area. 

Different prayer approaches include:

1. Prayer Triplets. A prayer triplet has three believers agreeing to pray together each week. Each believer chooses three unbelievers to pray for with the group. The prayer triplet prays for all nine unbelievers to be saved. Often, one of the believers becomes the instrument to lead the unbeliever to Christ. A prayer triplet has three believers agreeing to pray together each week. Each believer chooses three unbelievers to pray for with the group. The prayer triplet prays for all nine unbelievers to be saved. Often, one of the believers becomes the instrument to lead the unbeliever to Christ.

2. Concerts of Prayer. A concert of prayer is a gathering of believers to pray. There usually are not a lot of people talking about prayer, just concentrated time of group and private prayer.. A concert of prayer is a gathering of believers to pray. There usually are not a lot of people talking about prayer, just concentrated time of group and private prayer.. A concert of prayer is a gathering of believers to pray. There usually are not a lot of people talking about prayer, just concentrated time of group and private prayer.

3. Prayer Revivals or Retreats. A prayer revival or retreat is an extended number of meetings to focus on prayer. It can have a conference or worship service format.. A prayer revival or retreat is an extended number of meetings to focus on prayer. It can have a conference or worship service format.. A prayer revival or retreat is an extended number of meetings to focus on prayer. It can have a conference or worship service format.

4. Solemn Assemblies. The Old Testament (Joel 1:14, 2:15) calls for the church to participate in solemn assemblies of repentance and prayer. . The Old Testament (Joel 1:14, 2:15) calls for the church to participate in solemn assemblies of repentance and prayer. . The Old Testament (Joel 1:14, 2:15) calls for the church to participate in solemn assemblies of repentance and prayer.

5. Pastor/Staff prayer Networks. These groups pray for the specific needs of pastors and staff in the church and association. Satan’s counter strategy includes intentional attacks on church leaders. Believers need to provide a hedge of protection around them through prayer. These networks meet weekly, monthly or quarterly. Many of them meet during the worship service to intercede for the Spirit to work freely in the pastor, staff and people.

6. Lighthouses of Prayer. Many believers are being led to open their homes as a Lighthouse house of prayer for their neighborhoods. . Many believers are being led to open their homes as a Lighthouse house of prayer for their neighborhoods. . Many believers are being led to open their homes as a Lighthouse house of prayer for their neighborhoods.

7. Outreach Prayer Surveys. A prayer survey goes door-to-door in a community asking for prayer requests. Prayer is always well received and provides contacts for later follow-up by the church and evangelism teams.. A prayer survey goes door-to-door in a community asking for prayer requests. Prayer is always well received and provides contacts for later follow-up by the church and evangelism teams.. A prayer survey goes door-to-door in a community asking for prayer requests. Prayer is always well received and provides contacts for later follow-up by the church and evangelism teams.

B. Organizing a Prayer Room. A house of prayer needs a prayer room. Find a place where at least three people can pray comfortably.

1. Coordinate prayer times to keep someone praying in the room as much as possible.
2. Be sure that every time someone steps into the pulpit there is someone stepping into the prayer room.
3. Include in the prayer room lists of specific prayer requests. Structure prayer requests using the example of Christ in John 17. You may even create three or more prayer stations in the prayer room including lists and materials for these separate areas.

1. Pray for believers. Pray for every staff member, teacher, and member by name. Pray for states and their leadership using the NAMB’s On Mission Prayer Map, missionary birthdays, IMB’s and NAMB’s prayer newsletters, and the IMB Prayer fax. Download updated prayer requests from namb.net/prayer and imb.org/pray.
2. Pray for unbelievers. While praying for unbelievers use the visitors and prospect list. Pray for contacts made during Prayer Journeys. Use the IMB directory of unreached people groups. Pray for friends, neighbors, contacts and prospects. Assume that a person is lost until you know they are saved. It has been said that D.L. Moody always saw each person he met as having an "L" for "lost" on their heads until he knew he could erase it. He has been credited with reducing the population of Hell by a million souls! Pray for national and local political, sports and entertainment figures.
3. Pray for personal physical and spiritual needs. Pray for spiritual growth, outreach, and the fruit of the Spirit. Pray for the Spirit to open areas of our lives that have been kept from God. Pray to be pliable and obedient servants.

1. Many congregations are finding enough interest for the prayer room to be filled periodically for 24 hours. (A 24 hour prayer chain can also use the watchman network. Each person prays from their home and calls the next person on the list when they finish.)

C. Organizing work-place prayer groups. Many believers are beginning prayer groups where they work. It is surprisingly easy to begin a prayer group.

1. Begin by finding a prayer partner to meet with you.
2. Set a time that will not interfere with the work schedule. Many groups meet during lunch. Some bring sack lunches, others bring pot-luck. Some periodically fast and pray. Others meet before work or after work.
3. Set the schedule to maximize the time. Allow time for people to arrive and eat. Organize the prayer time around praying for believers, unbelievers and personal spiritual and physical needs.
4. Focus on praying for the needs and people at the office.
5. Instead of sharing prayer requests before praying let the requests be shared while praying. This helps focus the time on praying for the needs that are shared. It also reduces the details to what is required for specific, intentional prayer. It is often good to go around in a circle so each person that wants to pray a request has the opportunity.
6. Keep the work-place prayer groups church-based. The primary tactic Christ chose is the church. Be careful not to become "lone ranger" Christians working outside the protection, fellowship and accountability of a local congregation.

D. National Volunteer Participants. There are many opportunities for people to volunteer to participate in city-wide or regional Prayer Journeys. Extensive Prayer Journeys are planned each year in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention meeting. Extensive Prayer Journeys also occur in each of the two yearly NAMB Strategic Focus Cities. Many evangelical groups also are planning prayer walks.

The NAMB Volunteer Mobilization Team helps to coordinate stateside requests from the field for Prayer Journey teams with people willing to volunteer to help for NAMB-sponsored projects. Contact 1 800 462-8657, visit Prayer Journeys or email volunteers@namb.net for a form to request a team or to volunteer.

To volunteer for an international prayer Journey contact the IMB at 1 888 422 6461, visit www.imb.org/be_involved.htm or write vimd@imb.org.

E. Provide Ongoing Training.

1. Train the church to grow in Christ. Help to create a culture of prayer evangelism. Teach any of the materials in the bibliography. Many have been blessed by Experiencing God or "Seven Keys to Prayer" (See Appendix B). Keep prayer before the people as the foundation of church life, not on the sidelines. (Or just as a zipper at the beginning and end of meetings!)

2. Train the church in personal evangelism. Several excellent approaches are available through your Christian bookstore, the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and LifeWay Christian Resources: People Sharing Jesus, FAITH, On Mission to Share Jesus, One-Day Prayer Evangelism Workshop, Continuing Witness Training, Friends Forever, or One-Day Soul-Winning Workshops (available in 15 languages). For more information, visit Evangelism or contact Customer Services at 1 800 233-1123.

II. Response Time: Pause for a prayer time to ask God to make your church a house of prayer with a passion for the lost. Pray for wisdom and commitment to begin or enhance prayer throughout the congregation. Pray for prayer groups to begin in homes and businesses all over your city.