One problem that pastors usually face is the difficulty of attracting people to prayer meetings on Wednesday nights. Below is one method to help in overcoming this problem.
Design prayer meetings for maximum interest and impact by following the early church's mix of key elements: song, fellowship, the Word, personal ministry, and prayer (Acts 2:42–47; Col. 3:16, 17). Here's one potential format:
Hallelujah time. Ten minutes of adoring God through song and testimony.
Invoke the power. Five minutes of invitational prayer, requesting the presence of Jesus through His Spirit.
Listen to God. Seven minutes of Scripture reading. Choose a powerful scripture that speaks to known needs and ask participants to read aloud with enthusiasm.
Respond to the Word. Ten minutes of leader-guided prayer over the Scriptures that have just been read, asking participants to apply the Word directly to their own lives.
Invite the blessing. Five minutes of song that express personal need and consecration.
Altar time. Thirty minutes for participants to name needs and then to intercede for those needs. Pray immediately for each expressed need, and include prayer for the lost.
Final praise. Eight minutes for a closing song or two and prayers of thanks to God.
— Ed Gallagher, Mid-America Outlook, December 2005
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