I'm looking for possible Logos resources that deal with Altar Ministry or Praying for Others. Anyone have any suggestions?
Anyone know of any good non Logos resources?
I would say the Book of Common prayers might be a good place to start.
"Viva Cristo Rey!!"
Deacon Harbey Santiago
Archdiocese of Baltimore
Thanks for the suggestion.
Boy from the lack of responses this might be an area Logos might want to investigate for new books.
What I'm looking for is material I can give people who want to pray with others at the altar so they know how to conduct themselves. I would like to base it on sound teaching on the subject and I was hoping to find a few Logos resources from which I could pull more information or suggestions.
I once knew a guy that had hemroids and was embarassed, he often prayed for God to touch him and heal him. Others loved to pray with him but they didn't know anything about his physical condition and since he was too embarrassed to tell them, people prayed for his healing of cancer, homosexuality, and etc. He was often left the altar frutrated and angry that people would make such assumptions. Finally he simply stopped going to the altar.
We are called to intercede for our brothers and sisters in Christ but I can't find any really good resource either on Logos or not, that speaks to that intercession or praying for others. Anyone else have any ideas?
Ed,
I don't think the lack of response is due to limited resources, maybe a little more information on the type of ministry you are a part of would help. There are a number of good resources that may be ministry dependent (Catholic, Charismatic, Baptist, etc).
I know for our church, we have an incredible seminar that we do once a quarter to train believers on hearing God and ministering to people at the altars.
There are a number of resources on moving in the prophetic, in deliverance ministry, etc.
Maybe a little more info can get you some suggestions.
I was looking for resources that offered general advice. Like making sure you have proper personal hygene, such as breath mint, you don't want to over power the person you are praying for with bad breath.
I was also thinking of things like never tell someone that has just lost a child, "you are young enough you can have another one." Or not finding out what people want you to pray for. It is pointless to go and pray for someone for a job that already has a job they love.
I was looking for advice like try to find out where their faith is and then trying to take that faith to next level. We are to encourage and edify and sometimes I heard people praying for others in a way that would discourage me.
How to approach people who have come to altar to be prayed for. Some just want the pastor to pray for them, others want as many as will to pray for them and still others have no expectations at all. Some people want you to pray, others want to pray with you to listen and agree. Still others just prayer.
Also I was interested in teaching that taught people to sensitive to the leading of Holy Spirit but also of the Pastor. In some cases pastors want people to go up and provide support other times they want others to come up and be he lead in the prayer for the person.
All these things and many more must be taught if a church is to have an active and vital pray/altar ministry. I wanted to know of some possible Logos resources that might be useful in developing a class/text material
Well, Ed I think in many of your inquiries, your own answers are the path to take. In those areas I have never sought a book per se, because that is the training we cover in our "Practical Ministry" seminar.
Some key points on your goals I would suggest is:
1. There must be true Biblical government in operation. This would help alleviate the cases you mentioned in prayer that is off.
2. Always be willing to ask if there is something specific they need prayer for and also if you feel God has given you a "word" for the person, ask if it makes sense or fits their situation.
3. Breath Mints, keeping your face to the side of theirs if you have a bad habit of "spraying" people as you speak and being aware of the placement of you hands or even the placement of others' hands, so to not distract a person.
4. In regard to the people who only want the pastor to pray for them... Well we will always run into this, the only time it becomes a serious problem is when the person puts the pastor in the place of God for their reliance.
5. There is a huge need for believers to be equipped and learn to flow in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, in sensitivity to His prompting as well as remaining in touch with the direction of the pastor or whoever is administrating the flow of the service. (This is where government is most needed)
6. We teach that everything should be in the form of Godly agreement with the needs of the person, words of encouragement, edification to the individual and that the only time words of direction or correction are released are through elders and 5 fold leaders cleared to do so. If a believer has a "word" that borders on direction or correction, they need to clear it with one of those and have them present when it is shared.
7. We have found it also to be of good practice to have same sex ministry as often as possible or for accountability to invite a leader from the same sex over if say a male were to pray for a female.
I know it is not a book, but this is the basis of the in house resources we use to train and equip believers for the work of the ministry at our altar calls.
I'm looking for possible Logos resources that deal with Altar Ministry or Praying for Others. Anyone have any suggestions? Anyone know of any good non Logos resources?
Ed, you might take a look at Billy Graham's handbook for Christian workers.
Terry Tekyl has some great materials such as Praying grace. Just do a google search with his name and you will find plenty of materials.
You might look at resources on pastoral care, since that's much of what is going on when you pray with/for someone at the altar.
