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Our Purpose
It is our goal, that by properly utilizing this tool, the Holy Spirit will give you a clear sense of how successful you are in the quest to become a biblical House of Prayer.
The interactive process brings leadership and membership together in a vertical (prayer) and horizontal (prayer birthed discussions) conversation. This conversation is in itself a forward step in the prayer life of the congregation.
This is not a “scientific” survey capable of producing a computerized analysis nor is it like a contest in which the average rating of the judges determines the outcome. Each category and question is designed to expose the heart of the congregation for prayer and produce an accurate picture of how faithfully, practically and pervasively that desire is being expressed.
No congregation using this tool is in competition with any other. It is hoped that this tool will serve to increase the congregation’s appetite for prayer while causing leadership to reevaluate programs and seek the Lord of the Church for His changes toward a reformation in the congregation producing a transformation in the community.
Just like prayer, you can utilize as much or as little as you want from this tool. Simply by reading through it you will allow the Holy Spirit to sensitize you to new thoughts and ideas. By inviting others to read it will do the same for them. However, to receive full value, you are encouraged to include and involve the entire congregation over an extended period of time.
Our Process
- Begin in prayer, asking the Lord to prepare the hearts and minds of those who make the decision of how to implement this tool amongst your people.
- Make an appointment with the key leader(s) in your context, usually the Pastor. Make sure the Pastor is in public agreement as this is presented to any other board or committee or team that must decide on its use or steps of implementation.
- Employ a long-term strategy
.The leadership team prays together and commits to use the tool as a means of receiving wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit.
.The full leadership of the congregation hears first about the plan to asses the congregation’s prayer life, are expected to personally support the plan, and to proactively encourage participation from those in their area of ministry.
.The diagnostic tool will be one ingredient in an overall assessment.
.Introduce the diagnostic tool to the congregation only after the appropriate leadership (team, council, board) has met to pray through their commitment to both the process and the action steps that result.
.Introduce the diagnostic tool only after the congregation has heard a biblical call to become refreshed, renewed, revived as a House of Prayer for all people. This may be accomplished through any or several of these means:
-a series of messages/sermons on personal and corporate prayer
-a Prayer Conference (all-church) with a guest speaker
-a Workshop (all-ministry leaders) with someone to teach on prayer
-a Retreat with a guest to facilitate prayer and coach discussion
The guide, Come to the Lord’s Table by Claude King is an excellent resources for any of these activities. (Visit www.finalcommnad.org for details and ordering information)
.Set a start-date and a return-date to distribute and collect the completed worksheets If you mail the worksheets to the members at their home, please include one per adult and young person. Include a children’s worksheet if appropriate.
.Or, set aside a month when the worksheets are the focus of every church ministry and activity. Ever class & committee; council & choir; group & gathering.
Before initiating the assessment process, set a date for the leaders to meet to discuss and discern what the Spirit is saying through the feedback as well as a date when the leaders will meet with the members to present their findings, seek further response, and set action steps. This is most beneficial if experienced in an interactive format (roundtable discussion led by a facilitator from outside the congregation)
.At the report session, announce the date of a “Follow-Through” meeting to assess how well the congregation has implemented the ideas and inspirations of the diagnostic assessment (6 - 12 months).
.Several types of questions are employed in an effort to assist you to think honestly from different perspectives. Avoid answers that “make us look good” and simply give a descriptive response.
.The answers/responses are just the beginning. After completing a review of responses in a category, use the questions below to assist you in discerning what the Spirit is saying...
*”What?” - are our responses to the questions?
[Information]
*”So What?” - are the implications of what we have said?
[Application]
*”Now What?” - are we led to do again? Better? Differently?
[Implementation]
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our History
What role did prayer play in the birthing / founding of your congregation?
At what point in your history has prayer been most visible? Powerful?
What was the context (circumstances, situations)?
Which persons have been champions for prayer?
How have we utilized prayer champions in the past?
When it comes to corporate prayer, have we been:
Fearful? Neutral? Supportive? Proactive?
Has the congregation been called to fasting and prayer (answer yes or no):
___Yes ___No
If so, what prompted the call to fast and pray?
We have seen a correlation between prayer and spiritual milestones
(check all that apply):
__ People responding to the Gospel
__ Increase in baptisms
__ Adults surrendering to ministry
__ Young people surrendering to ministry
__ Sending missionaries to other cities or nations
__ New congregations planted
__ Breakthroughs in healing (physical and/or emotional)
__ (other) ____________
Our reputation for prayer is (chose one):
__ We do not know how others view our prayer life
__ We are probably consider average; no special reputation for prayer
__ We are probably known as a church devoted to prayer
__ We are the church in our area someone would call to ask for prayer
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Theology
Agree or Disagree:
“The prayer life of our congregation and our members is more a
religious habit than an act of obedience.’
Agree or Disagree:
“Our practice of prayer is based more on the biblical
revelation of God’s character than daily trials and troubles.”
Agree or Disagree:
“The methods and styles of prayer we employ are informed more
by our culture and popular teaching than the scriptures.”
Our Vision
To what extent was our congregation’s Vision Statement birthed in prayer?
How is prayer present (or could be) in our Vision statement?
What evidence can you cite to prove this statement:
“We are dependent upon God for the success of our vision.”
Our Pastor
In the past twelve months, our Pastor (check all that apply)
__ Preached a sermon on prayer
__ Indicated a desire to increase and/or improve his prayer life
__ Called the congregation to fervent prayer
__ Taught a class or small group on prayer
__ Empowered others to lead or facilitate prayer
__ Participated or led an ongoing church prayer group
__ Promoted a prayer training experience
__ Distributed prayer resources for leaders and/or members
__ Read a new book on the subject of prayer
__ Has benefited from a Pastor’s Prayer Support Team
__ Identified and worked closely with intercessors
__ Participated in a Pastors’ Prayer Group
__ Attended a Prayer Retreat
__ Was involved in a community or city wide prayer initiative
__ Involved our church in National day of Prayer (or other events)
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Leaders
Do your leaders (staff, deacons/elders, council/board members):
(check all that apply)
__ Attend the congregational prayer meetings?
__ Express personal dependency upon prayer?
__ Limit prayer in their meetings to a brief “opening” & closing” prayer?
__ Provide financial support for prayer initiatives
__ Understand the relationship between prayer and evangelism
__ Participate in prayer training
__ Consider prayer to be the job of the Prayer Team or intercessors
__ Call the congregation to Solemn Assemblies
__ Rarely pray in public
Our Members
As to the prayer life of our church, our members are:
__ satisfied, __ curious, __ eager to learn, __ hungry for God
When it comes to changing the prayer patterns in our church, our members:
__ initiate new ideas, __ welcome change, __ tolerate, __ resist
What percentage of your church members do you estimate:
__ Participate in a prayer group or meeting? ____
__ Pray at home with their family on a regular basis? ____
__ Participate in some kind of prayer training? ____
__ Request prayer (written or verbally) ____
__ Pray for others who do not yet know Christ? ____
__ Pray for (immediately) others who express a joy or a need? ____
__ Have a prayer burden for another nation? ____
Our members experience prayer (list in order; most to least):
__ Privately at a specific time and place
__ Throughout their daily activities
__ When they face a trial or trouble
__ When someone else prays in a meeting or worship service
__ In a small group
__ (other) _________
Agree or Disagree:
“When we gather for corporate prayer, everyone participates verbally.”
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Worship Service(s)
When the congregation gathers for worship, our prayers are:
(check all that apply)
__ At a preset time in the service
__ Spontaneous
__ Conversational
__ Formal
__ Informal
__ An expression of ritual
__ ”Preachy”
__ List (needs) focused
__ Prewritten
When the congregation gathers for worship, our prayers are:
(check all that apply)
__ Prayed by “clergy” (ordained, staff)
__ Prayed by selected members (a few who rotate)
__ Prayed by selected members (many are considered)
__ Prayed by any member (anyone may volunteer)
__ Prayed by all members (pairs or small groupings; pray in unison)
__ Prayed by all members (prayer recited in unison)
When our congregation gathers for worship (check all that apply):
__ We sing songs that encourage prayer
__ We have banners reminding us of the power of prayer
__ We sing songs that address God; we sing our prayers
__ We weave praise and prayer together as we worship
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Prayer Meetings
(Any gathering devoted to prayer)
We meet for prayer __weekly, __monthly, __quarterly, __annually
Percent of our congregation who attend:
__ weekly
__ monthly
__ quarterly
__ annually
What special need or circumstance prompts an unscheduled gathering?
When we gather for prayer (check all that apply):
__ We are faith-filled __ We follow a routine
__ A few pray __ Everyone contributes
__ We span the globe __ We follow typical lists
__ Most prayers are need-based __ Many pray from scripture
__ We sense God’s presence __ We see prayers answered
The purpose of a prayer meeting (according to our reality):
__ To tell God what we need
__ To praise God and honor Christ first
__ To remind God of all who are sick or grieving
__ To listen for discernment and wisdom
__ To pray for our leaders; congregation and nation
Respond to this statement:
“Frankly, our prayer meetings are more boring than blessing...”
When we gather (check any that apply):
__ We invite the Holy Spirit to facilitate and guide our prayers
__ We ask for the mind of Christ so that our prayers echo Jesus’
__ We desire most to serve God by praising and blessing Him
Our pray focus (list in order; most to least):
__ Upward - Praise
__ Downward - Confession
__ Inward - Seeking God’s will (personal)
__ Outward - Neighbors & Nations
__ Backward - Thanking God for past blessings
__ Forward - Seeking God’s will (corporate)
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Small Groups
Prayer is a core value (list in order; most to least):
__ Sunday School Classes
__ Choir Rehearsal
__ Fellowship Groups
__ Study Groups
__ Committees
Small Group prayer (list in order; most to least):
__ The leader (chairperson, director, moderator, president) prays
__ The leader asks someone to pray
__ Everyone prays around the circle or table
__ Prayer is conversational; people pray as prompted
__ The leader prescribes a format or style
Small Group prayer (list in order; most to least):
__ The group has a protected time for prayer
__ -Prayers tend to be general
__ Prayers are based on stated requests of the members
__ Prayers are based on the group’s agenda
Our Age-Focus Ministries
Our ministries demonstrate a high value for prayer (list in order; most to least):
__ Children’s Ministry
__ Youth Ministry
__ Collegiate
__ Singles
__ Married Couples
__ Families
__ Seniors
__ Other _ _ _
Our ministries provide prayer training (list in order; most to least):
__ Children’s Ministry
__ Youth Ministry
__ Collegiate
__ Singles
__ Married Couples
__ Families
__ Seniors
__ Other _ _ _
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Evangelism Ministries, Special Events & Holidays
We organize prayer preceding evangelistic activities:
__ Always, __Sometimes, __Never
We schedule prayer during evangelistic activities:
__ Always, __Sometimes, __Never
We assign names of new contacts for prayer after evangelistic activities:
__ Always, __Sometimes, __Never
We ask for the opportunity to pray for people (check all that apply):
__ On our church website
__ In each Sunday’s bulletin
__ In the Church Newsletter
__ Through a “pew card”
__ A weekly verbal invitation
__ At a Prayer Table
__ In the Prayer Room
We challenge our members to pray for their neighbors & coworkers
(check all that apply):
__ In small groups (often called Lighthouses of Prayer)
__ In Sunday bulletins
__ In Sermons
__ With inserts and information (bulletin; newsletter)
Our Missions
In what ways are missionaries and missions supported by prayer?
__ Prayer partners as assigned from the congregation
__ Various classes and groups adopt a missionary
__ Our Missions Committee pray faithfully for our missionaries
__ Mission Conferences include focused prayer for global evangelism
__ We pray for missions and missionaries in Sunday services
__ Prayer requests from missionaries are posted or published
__ We offer Prayer Journeys to mission activity locations
__ Teaching mission support prayer is part of our discipleship training
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Equipping for Prayer
Throughout the year we offer (check all that apply):
__ Workshops on various prayer topics
__ Classes on the theology of prayer
__ Studies on biblical praying and pray-ers
__ Sunday sermon series on prayer
__ Prayer retreats
__ Financial assistance for leaders to attend prayer conferences
Training Resources (check all that apply):
__ Prayer resources are purchased and made available
__ Information on resources is posted in newsletters
(Pray! magazine, new book releases, websites, videos...)
__ Free resources for Prayer Ministry Leadership
__ Prayer materials are available in our library/resource center
__ Our congregation provides budget to purchase resources
Our Prayer Ministry Team
Our Prayer Ministry Team (check all that apply):
__ Requires completed training to participate
__ Has a designated leader or coordinator
__ Has two-way communication with the Pastor
__ Is diverse (male/female; young/old)
__ Promotes training to the members of the congregation
__ Utilizes insights from spiritual mapping
Our Prayer Ministry Team includes (check all that apply):
__ PrayerWallking
__ Prayer Room
__ Prayer Chain (phone)
__ Prayer Network (e-mail)
__ Prayer Shield (prayer for the Pastor)
__ Prayer Journeys
__ Prayer Drives
__ Prayer Display Table or Resource Center
__ Prayer Articles in Newsletters
__ Altar Prayer (ministry to those responding after the sermon)
__ Prayer Circle (prayer before the Worship service)
__ Prayer during the Worship service
__ Onsite prayer during outreach events
__ Healing Prayer (by appointment or after the service)
__ Prayer Vigils (hour-by-hour prayer; sign-up)
__ Day of Prayer (everyone praying at home/work with same focus)
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Prayer Partnerships
Our congregation (check all that apply)
__ Prays for other congregations by name
__ Participates in denominational prayer initiatives
__ Participates in community/regional prayer events
Using Acts 1:8, what per cent are your prayers focused upon:
__ Jerusalem (community; city)
__ Judea (region; nation)
__ Samaria (enemies; local issues of injustice)
__ Ends of the Earth (international; unreached people; 10/40 Window)
We participate in (check all that apply)
__ National Day of Prayer
__ See You At The Pole
__ Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
__ Seek God for the City (spring/Lenten prayer initiative)
Our congregation (or a class or a small group) have adopted in prayer:
(check all that apply)
__ School
__ Park (gang activity; children & families)
__ Multi-Housing / Subdivision
__ Local Business (office building; strip mall)
__ Senior Center
__ (other) ____________
Our Congregation
Every congregation, large or small; independent or denominational; evangelical, charismatic, or liturgical, is unique. What areas of your congregation’s life have not been covered? How would you rate the place and prominence of prayer in those areas?
Our Conclusions
Based upon our responses and the witness of the Holy Spirit in this process:
__ We are best considered a Prayer Activity Church
(prayer is limited to traditional routines or rituals and events)
__ We are a Prayer Ministry Church
(several or many prayer teams, opportunities, services offered)
__ We are becoming a Prayer Strategy Church
Strategies are prayer-birthed, leading to...
Ministries that are prayer-based, resulting in...
Activities are all prayer-bathed
Diagnosing The Prayer Life of Our Congregation
Our Plans
List Action Plans (goals with deadlines and assignments) for:
The Pastor
Leadership
Worship Services
Small Groups (classes, groups, teams)
Age-Level & Need-Focused Ministries
Prayer Ministry
Members
Prayer Meeting(s)
Equipping / Resourcing / Communicating
Acts 1:8 Praying
Other areas...
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