Weekend Prayer Time

Our first Alpha Weekend is coming up soon. Some of our Leaders and Helpers have never engaged in the kind of prayer ministry that takes place on the Weekend. How do we train them?

The Ministry time after the talk, "How Can I be Filled with the Holy Spirit?" is a vital time on Alpha. Many guests "experience God" for the first time during the Ministry time. However, this kind of ministry may be new to your team if it has NOT been part of your church tradition.

First, be sure all your Leaders and Helpers attend the third Alpha training: "Ministry on Alpha." That training will teach the approach and set the tone for the kind of ministry we do on Alpha.

Second, review with them the "Five-Step Healing Model" Nicky teaches during the training (p. 212 "Questions of Life").  These steps are practical and easy to follow. Have team members practice them while praying for each other. We've found that God often uses these practice sessions to do significant ministry in the lives of our Alpha team members.

Third, Let the Holy Spirit do the heavy lifting! Tell your team that many times the Lord works powerfully through the people who are NOT "prayer experts" because they are especially dependent on the Holy Spirit, not on their method or their experience.

Fourth, listen to the recording of the Training Call, "Ministry on Alpha."  This interactive call was held on Oct. 4th and Oct. 7th with training from Derek Rust when he was a pastor at Hosanna! Lutheran Church in Lakeville, Minnesota.  This recording also includes a question and answer portion where call participants from around the country asked Derek their questions about prayer ministry on Alpha.