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Prayer is foundational to our Christian lives. Drawing close to God and sharing our thanks, concerns, and needs with Him is a beautiful gift. We know from research that women seek to grow closer to Jesus, deal with struggles in the faith, feel encouraged and supported when things are tough, and even feel needed (Lifeway Research on Ministry to Women). Praying together creates an atmosphere of intimacy and builds relationships that support Christian women. Leading a ladies’ prayer group is an excellent way to facilitate meeting these and other needs in the lives of the women who attend your small church.
Martha Wilson, leader of Touching Hearts Ministry and host of A Burst of Hope Podcast, has led women’s ministry for over 40 years and is one of my much-loved mentors. I am grateful for Martha’s willingness to share generously from her wealth of knowledge and experience as I interviewed her for this article.
The Pivotal Roles Of Prayer Groups
“Ladies prayer groups, help us have a bigger vision. By praying together, we move from ‘our needs’ to focusing on what God wants to accomplish.” Martha has witnessed women who pray together learn to ask, “God, what do You want to do in our lives? How do we impact our church, city, nation, the world?” That is the most pivotal role of a prayer group, moving those who pray from focusing on me, my, and mine to being laser-focused on what God wants to accomplish through us.
Now that we have established the benefits and importance of a ladies’ prayer group, your next question may be, “How do I start and lead this ministry?” Let’s explore ten tips for leading a Ladies’ Prayer Group. I aim to answer some of your basic how-to questions and offer some wisdom from Miss Martha!
10 Tips For Leading A Ladies’ Prayer Group
1. Seek Direction
Direction is an essential first step. If your purpose is to lead a prayer group, start with prayer! Ask God to show you His will for this ministry in your small church. Will you begin a group to pray in advance for an upcoming event or a crucial decision your small church needs to make?
Does God desire you to call women to gather and pray for a defined season, such as for students, teachers, and administrators, in the months leading up to a new school year? Or is He leading you to begin a group that will grow over time as a long-term ministry of your Women’s Ministry? The answer you receive as you seek His guidance will help you build a strong foundation for this group.
2. Share The Purpose Of The Group
Once you have received direction from the Lord, share the group’s purpose with others. Martha encourages leaders to be very direct. “If the purpose of the gathering is to pray, the group will spend the majority of their time in prayer. Make it clear from the beginning!” Stating the purpose from the start will help prevent many things that may derail a prayer group in the future.
3. Set Some Ground Rules To Guide Participants
A healthy prayer group is a safe space for all who attend. But being a safe space does not “just happen.”
We must put into words our expectation that participants hold in confidence all information shared with the group (M. Wilson, 2024). With a new prayer group, or when new people join, leaders need to share again, the expectation that the prayer group is not a time for gossip nor a source for gossip to share. If confidence is broken, it must be addressed. As leaders, we must confront and reprove privately, lovingly following Biblical guidelines. We will also need to address the occurrence as a group. It is best to refrain from sharing details and names but acknowledge what occurred and reaffirm the expectation that the group holds all information in confidence.
4. Choose A Format
The format of the gatherings may change over time as you grow together. However, Martha encourages leaders to choose a format and follow it. Having a structured plan for your prayer time is essential. The enemy can get in without a structured format and cause chaos (M. Wilson, 2024). One of Martha’s favorite formats for group prayer is “popcorn prayer,” which she learned in a training session with The Navigators.
In popcorn prayer, participants “just pop in with one thing and then hush, and the next person pops in with what is on her heart.” This and other tools are useful in keeping the group focused on its stated purpose of prayer. Lead the group to begin with prayer, not sharing prayer requests. Pray. Instead of spending most of the time writing down a list of things to pray about, pray about the burdens the ladies bring to the group.
5. Teach Prayer
Even women who have grown up in church may have never prayed out loud with others before. Praying in front of others can feel intimidating. But the good news is we can learn to pray! Resources are available that can help leaders guide others. In my own life, I learned by osmosis as I listened to my grandmother and other women pray.
I learned to pray expecting God to answer because I saw Him at work in the lives of prayer partners. I realized that He is more interested in my heart’s condition and desire to spend time with Him than whether or not I chose the “right words.” Women who pray together learn what prayer looks like (M. Wilson, 2024). Lead the group as if everyone is new to prayer and then grow as a group!
6. Pray God’s Word Back To Him!
The Bible is a beautiful guide to prayer. When unsure of what to pray, we can always pray scripture aloud. Praying scripture ensures that we are praying according to His will, no matter the topic. If new to this practice, start with praying the Psalms aloud. Then, you will be amazed at how God will honor this practice and give specific scriptures to pray for particular situations. (One of my favorite chapters to pray when facing an overwhelming challenge is 2 Chronicles 20).
7. Guide The Group In Prayer
Be ready to guide the topics the group prays about. Make space for each participant to pray. If the group is going to grow in intimacy and trust, we must allow everyone to pray. Sometimes, that means we must redirect or interrupt if we see things moving in the wrong direction (M. Wilson, 2024). Do not hesitate to intervene if one or two members monopolize the prayer time.
8. Follow Up With One Another
During the week, model the practice of reaching out and saying, “I remember your prayer, and I am still praying (M. Wilson, 2024). Teaching members to check on each other between meetings is a powerful way to build unity and intimacy. Reaching out to let another member know you heard her concerns and are praying for her is encouraging and offers comfort. Praying throughout the week builds spiritual “muscles” and perseverance in prayer.
9. Celebrate Answered Prayer!
Our God loves to answer the prayers of His children! When we pray, He will act on our behalf. When (not if) you receive answers to prayers, don’t forget to say thank you and recount His goodness. These celebrations can take many forms. As a group, you may designate an entire meeting to share what the Lord is doing in members’ lives.
Each woman can share a brief testimony of recent answers to prayers and have another member offer a prayer of gratitude. The members may gather around one woman, thanking God for how He is moving in her life and offering intercessory prayer for continuing needs (Intercessory prayer article). Celebrating answers to prayers builds our trust in the One to whom we pray.
10. Begin With A Legacy In Mind
On Thursday, 10/10/24, I attended the Small Church Ministries online Women’s Ministry Workshop (catch the replay here). During her presentation, Laurie Acker encouraged us to build a legacy intentionally. One of the ways we can do that is by identifying and investing in women who may have a different perspective. Include others in the planning and implementation of a Ladies’ prayer group. Be purposeful in asking for input from the women who attend the prayer group. Have a planning party, and use the sticky notes!
Another way to begin with a legacy in mind is to mentor a woman as she grows in her relationship with Christ. Walk with her through life, sharing the ups and downs. Pray for and with her. Disciple her; perhaps she will carry the ladies’ prayer group ministry into the future. What a powerful way to leave a legacy that impacts the lives of future generations.
God Will Guide You
If you feel led to begin a ladies’ prayer group, the how, when, and who questions may feel daunting. But trust that the Lord has given you all the tools, talents, and gifts needed (Ephesians 2:10). The Holy Spirit will guide and instruct you, making each subsequent step plain as you move forward in obedience. Remember to seek direction and share the prayer group’s purpose with the members. Setting guidelines will help create a safe space for members to voice their concerns.
Choosing a format will give structure and allow the group to carry out its stated purpose of prayer. Beginning with the idea that prayer is a learned skill, start out as if everyone is new to praying with others and grow together using different tools or frameworks for prayer. Use scripture to guide your prayers when unsure of how to pray.
As the leader, guide the prayer time to ensure everyone has space to pray and the group stays on target. Follow up with one another between meetings and reassure each other you are still praying! Don’t forget to celebrate and say thank you when God answers prayers. Finally, begin with a legacy in mind and cultivate a mighty prayer ministry for your small church. I’m praying for you as you step into this new ministry opportunity.
Reference
M. Wilson (personal communication, October 1, 2024)
Read More:
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9 Meaningful Tips To Strengthen Your Women’s Ministry
20 Fun Activities For Women’s Groups In Small Churches
Carla Adams is a wife, a nurse, and a women’s ministry leader. As an author and a speaker, she seeks to encourage women to use their God-given tools, talents, and gifts to serve Him and others.
