ROUGH AND READY GUIDES to effective CHRISTIAN Ministry

Number 1

Prayer for those in difficult circumstances

All prayer is good prayer! To pray "badly" is better than not to pray. So don’t hesitate … get on with it.

Pray as you can, not as you can’t. So don’t imagine there is some kind of "perfect" prayer which if only you could find would make everything work.

In most difficult circumstances there is not one single factor at work so pray in a direction that feels authentic for you.

So there can be elements of spiritual attack – you may want to pray in that way.

You may feel there is a need for acceptance of what is happening – pray that way.

You may have faith and confidence to pray for healing or a change in circumstance – pray that way.
You may be happy to pray for success through what the doctors are doing, or through the normal avenues of life in our society – pray that way, that God will work through these things.
You may be concerned about wider implications, what it may all mean for the individual as a person, or their families or colleagues etc. – pray that way!
You may feel angry, sad, frustrated, powerless etc. – pray that way!
You may want the individual to know God’s presence and guidance and comfort – pray that way.
Pray authentically in your way for where you are at this moment; but then be open to modify how you pray. Because as you pray God will act and begin to change your faith or your knowledge or your interaction with this situation.
Listen to what you feel God may be saying, even if it is a little surprising.
Allow yourself to be on a journey – this prayer will change you as well as the circumstance you are praying about.
Be willing to pray OUT LOUD even on your own. Vocalising your prayers actually gives them greater substance and meaning than leaving them in your head.
Keep going in prayer. As long as it is needed, keep praying. The process of praying is part of the response to our prayers.
Give God the glory and give Him thanks when ANYTHING happens, even if it appears small.