Some Ideas for the Ministry

“Not-so-secret” Friend

Not every young person of our churches has Christian parents who cover their lives with prayer. We need to “adopt” them as “spiritual children.” All of the young people’s names go in a bag (independent of age) and each intercessor “parent” take one or more names (depending on the ratio). During a specified period of time (we suggest a few months), that child will be prayed for by that “parent”. We suggest the “parent” write cards, invite them for a snack, look for them after the service and see if he/she has any prayer requests, call them on the phone, send an e-mail, text, etc. The purpose is to straighten the relationship with the young people. They will feel cared for and loved. From time to time the spiritual parents change and new names are drawn.

School for Parents
As we had our prayer meetings, we noticed that the parents need and want to learn more about parenting. But, the prayer time is not the appropriate time for that. So, we felt the need to have the church leadership help us prepare a “School for Parents” where parenting issues are addressed.
For example, “My son is on drugs, how can I help him?” or “How to keep drugs from our household?” or “Discipline, when and how?” or even “How to diminish the distance between my child and me?”

Prayer Booth

At a specific place of the city such as town square, for example, a booth can be set up (with the appropriate permits) and be transformed into a “Prayer Booth” for anyone who needs prayer. You can take the opportunity to distribute invitations for the monthly meetings.
Drama, dance, choir singing can attract attention to the booth. Parents can take turns  “manning” the booth so it’s not to much for any one person. Free (donated) water can be offered as an attraction.

Tea

Sometimes it’s easier to accept an invitation to a tea rather than to a church service. Thus, the Deborah’s created the “Wake Up Deborah Tea”. Invitations can be sold that cover that cost of the food. Some people like to donate pies, cakes, etc, even better! The designated place is tastefully decorated but without spending a lot of money. Some prizes (goody bags) may be awarded at the end (to encourage everyone to stay till the end). Someone can share a testimony that can minister to the non-Christian present (max of 20 min). It’s a simple strategy but one that yields results in the awakening of parents to pray for their children.

Prison Ministry

Another ministry is on in which Deborahs can write letters to people in prisons. These letters carry messages of God’s love, of comfort, and care. The assignment is to pray, write and pray. God will do the work for His Word does not return empty.
This idea began, when in a small Deborah group, a lady asked prayer for her nephew who was serving a seven year sentence. At that moment, an idea was born about challenging the women there to write this 21 year old man. Everyone accepted the challenge and wrote before the next meeting. So I began thinking of the hundreds like this young man who has nothing positive to fill their thoughts and of the hundreds of women who pray and want to be used of God in some way. This is a creative way to serve Him.
If we think as “parents,” it makes all the sense. Which parent would not feel comforted knowing that God’s family cares about his/her pain of having a child in such an environment?
As you can see, we begin with a personal commitment to pray, then we pray as a group and that also leads to helping our “neighbors. We begin praying for us and slowly the Holy Spirit teaches us to focus on others.

We know that with your creativity, new suggestions will come forth that will turn into blessings for praying and intercessory parents. As you discover new strategies, please share them with us so we can grow in our commitment as faithful intercessors.