TN47 Breathing life into the intercessions

First published on this website in April 2009 and last updated in February 2023

Synopsis

Here are 14 ideas for leaders of intercessions for how to involve the congregation, rather than letting them pray by proxy. These notes are written for all who lead the prayers at Sunday services. The 14 are divided into four groups.
  

Intercessions from Scripture

• Bible praying
• theming the prayers on one verse

  
The use of eyes and ears

• keep eyes open
• show a DVD
• listen to local sounds

  
Involving people

• pray all together
• responses
• bring people to the front
• ask for topics

  
Ideas that are ... different

• read a newspaper
• combine with notices
• stimulate imagination
• "You are..."
• a conversation with God.

These notes have been updated in February 2023 with some layout changes and minor amendments to the text.