Praying in a Group

Praying privately and in groups should be essential to our lives. While we can pray alone for whatever concerns us and for as long as we need, group prayer requires us to be considerate of time and to listen to one another's prayers. It is wise to pray for what matters to the group, as this unites everyone with the person praying, who appeals on behalf of many.

Encourage your group to pray using short sentences, typically fewer than three, so everyone can participate. When most people have prayed once, allow others to pray a second or third time.

Praying together also helps new believers learn how to pray. To assist those praying in a group for the first time, keep your prayers brief—just a few short words or a concise sentence to set an example for them to follow.

In some churches, it is common to hold hands while praying. Although this can be a beautiful gesture, be mindful of those who may not feel comfortable doing so for any reason. Lastly, commit to praying for your group members by name in your daily devotions.

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