Thanks for being willing to lead the directed prayer during a upcoming Sunday morning.  Here's some quick guidance to help you.

Directed Prayer is an extension of our worship time by inviting folks into prayer. We read scripture and then allow room for the Holy Spirit to work in peoples' hearts to direct their prayer. Our prompts are wide and general and God focused (not teaching) so each person can go where the Spirit leads them.

Currently, we typically do directed prayer part way through the worship music set. You will briefly explain what directed prayer is and then read scripture (which will be displayed on the screens while you read).  Then you will re-read short sections of the prayer and give a prayer prompt from that scripture.  You'll give the congregation 30 seconds to pray, and then move to the next scripture & prompt.  After 3 prayer times, you'll conclude with a brief summary prayer.

Key Guidance:

• Scripture based. Stay within a single block of scripture (avoid jumping between different books/chapters). Read the scripture and then setup a prayer out of the content of the scripture. We suggest you use the NLT translation because it was actually translated with the goal of being easy to read out loud.
  
• Looking for 2 to 3 minutes in length (No more than 5 minutes total), with 3 different prayer times of 30 seconds each. (There will be a countdown timer of 30 seconds that will be projected on the back wall above the sound booth). This means your speaking portion needs to be very short.
  
• You are leading the prayer, not doing the prayer.  In other words, tell the people an area or thought to pray about. Then give them time to pray on their own. (Example: "Pray now for people who..." instead of "Dear Jesus, please help people who..")
  
• Make the areas fairly broad with a limited number of instructions so they can be led by the Spirit.
• Instructions are 1 or 2 sentences each time. Too many instructions make it difficult for people to remember/know what to pray for.
  • Example "Thank God now for his provision and presence". 
    
  • Example not to follow "Thank God for the food you have. Thank God for your job and co-workers. Thank God that He is always with us, and around us, and aware of everything we need. Thank Jesus that he died on the cross for us, and continues to offer forgiveness." (Too much at once, and too many topics).
• As a sample, I've included a recent example of the directed prayer at the end of this section from Isaiah 45
  
• Conclude with a prayer as you feel lead to complete the time. Keep in mind our overall time goal, so keep your prayer short and succinct.
  
• We prefer for you to read your scripture directly out of a Bible. However, try not to read your prompts or your prayer. Again - shorter/simpler will make it easier for you to naturally direct the prayer versus reading.