This week's spotlight features one of the more active groups on PrayNetwork.org, Lewis Turner's Praying Together group and course. PrayNetwork.org caught up with Lewis as he prepares to launch another round of the course.
PN: Lewis, why did you start the Praying Together course?
Lewis: I've been drawn to prayer ever since being stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam era. I studied prayer while there using a study Bible I had bought with some gift money, and when I returned, I shared what I had learned with my wife. Several years after that, I began to sense God calling me to teach prayer. God prepared me over those years, through some difficult times. He also gave me a heart to begin really connecting with others in prayer rather than just praying through lists.
A few years ago, while leading prayer locally, I noted that some people were willing to pray together, but others were not. I believe the Lord put it into my heart to find ways to encourage others to pray together. It took 8-10 years of much prayer and research to compile this course—researching, writing, teaching, writing, editing, researching, writing, teaching, writing, editing—always looking for a better way to share about praying-together. With the help of my wife, who is a co-author of the course, we have been able to bring the course to the level it is today. It also took a lot of prayer for God’s wisdom to develop this course. I was also blessed to have encouragement from people like Rev. Phil Miglioratti, who encouraged me to share what I had developed on PrayNetwork.
PN: How would you describe the purpose of the course?
Lewis: The purpose of the ‘Praying-Together Course’ is two-fold:
- It is designed to help a person learn to pray and to also, develop a relationship with Jesus.
- The second purpose of the course is to encourage people to pray together. The course helps develop an understanding of what is involved in praying with others, and to learn what the Scripture says about praying together.
This course covers a lot of Scripture, and its application in fervent praying and praying together. As one applies what he has learned, and prays with others, he should experience personal connection in prayer with others, knowing that Jesus also is with them. Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
PN: Who is the target audience for the course?
Lewis: This course is for those who want to learn more about prayer—both personal prayer and praying with others. It is a thorough course, designed for those of any experience level in prayer who want to go deeper.
Experienced prayers often want to learn more about prayer and may be looking for ways to help them pray. Experienced prayers who have taken the course have been a blessing to all the students through their contributions and encouragement.
PN: How many students have taken the course?
Lewis: Approximately 130 people on Pray Network have taken the course. I have personally taught the course to about 14-16 students, in two classes.
PN: What are some of the results you've seen from the course?
Lewis: Besides the learning that takes place individually, the sharing of struggles, questions, and lessons learned develops a real sense of family.
Also, one of the lessons in the course led my wife and me to develop the "Children and Prayer Course" on PrayNetwork. The “Children and Prayer Course” can help teachers and parents explain what the heart is to a child in a way that they can understand. It would be a good course for VBS teachers, Children’s church leaders, and Sunday School teachers to take.
PN: Lewis, thanks for your faithfulness to God and your perseverance with this group.
For more information about the course, check out the Praying Together Course group on PrayNetwork.
PrayNetwork.org Spotlight by Andrew Wheeler.
See Andrew's website at www.togetherinprayer.net
Comments
Thanks, Edward! I hope so too!
This interview is informative and encouraging. I hope that many more will take this course and learn to pray with others.