Skills: Prayer

As a person in ministry prayer is something you are supposed to be good at. Or so it often seems. Everyone expects you to lead in prayer. People might ask you for tips on how to pray. The Bible says a lot about prayer and its importance. The word pray or a form of it appears in the NIV 367 times. As a comparison, the word kind or a form of it appears 250 times. Any Bible student ought to understand that to be kind to others, especially your enemies, you must pray, a lot!

Somehow, in our instant culture, our prayers often stop at the drive-through order window. We place our order and pull ahead before hearing the price. We ask or tell God what we need but we don’t take time to listen. Prayer is an essential skill to our ministry and our own salvation. Jesus prayed often and for long periods of time. Prayer is a skill you should be actively seeking to develop. There are numerous books written on prayer. If you have one already maybe it’s time to dust it off and reread it. Or check out the latest ones at your local Christian bookstore. In the meantime here are a few key steps to develop this essential skill.

1. Start by setting aside time to pray daily. I like to set an alarm to remind myself to pray at a certain time in the morning (any time is fine). Then I set a timer and pray until it goes off. This ensures that I don’t get distracted or quit early because I remembered something I need to do. This simple step has revolutionized my prayer life. I often find that I want to keep going after the timer is up, and sometimes I do.

2. Pray with a format. Use your favorite prayer in the Bible as a template for your own prayer. For example: Psalm 51, Colossians 1:9-14, or 1 Kings 3:5-15. Alternatively, pray using an acronym that is easy to remember such as A T.A.C. which stands for A Thanks, Admit, Commit prayer.

3. Keep a prayer journal. This is a great method used by many devout prayer warriors. It provides reinforcement for the power of prayer by creating a record that you can go back and look at. Additionally, experts note that it is easier for some people to express their thoughts by writing rather than speaking.

4. Pray as Jesus did. Reread the Lord’s prayer and other prayers of Jesus recorded in the Gospels. Follow His example remembering to begin with praise and thanks. No one likes it when you just come up and ask them for a favor. We are made in God’s image so I’m sure he prefers more than just requests. Be sure to model this when praying in public, not for display as the Pharisee in Luke 18:11, but because that is how you genuinely pray. Also, it will benefit your hearers as they learn by your example.

Remember that prayer is a skill that we should actively develop as we seek to minister more like Jesus. It is oh so easy to pray real quick out of habit or just when we need things. Start today by praying purposely for Jesus to revive and grow your prayer life. To read more on this check out one of these great book: Too Busy Not To Pray by Bill Hybels or my personal favorite Christ's Way To Pray by Dr. Phillip Samaan.

Written by David F. Garner 

Photo credit: Pexels via www.pixabay.com

Skills: Capturing Attention

Getting and keeping the attention of your audience is a vital skill in ministry. There are numerous methods. Some people seem to have the gift of holding everyone’s rapt attention with ease. How do they do it? What are their secrets? Here are a few strategies you can employ to grab and keep the attention of your audience. Each method has a time and place. Some methods are better suited to outdoor play time while others to indoor worship. Here are my 5 top strategies.

1. Start with a story. Begin with a rapturous story your listeners have not heard before. Or at least tell a familiar story in a way that is unusual. This was one of Jesus’ prime methods and I use it a lot too. It works for all ages.

2. Include an object lesson. Begin with it or insert it part way through and everyone will have eyes locked on you. You can begin by holding the object up and asking a question about it, or by talking about it mysteriously and keeping it hidden to reveal at the end. Check out our great library of object lessons here.

3. Carry a whistle. A simple blow to a whistle is a sure-fire way to get everyone’s attention indoors or out. Nothing beats them for size and volume. While you might not want to call everyone to worship this way, it is great to have one when you need it. I carry one everywhere in my backpack, it is especially great outdoors, and it has saved my voice several times!

4. Provide fidgets. A fidget is a small object that someone can play with in their hands quietly. They are perfect to help people who have a hard time sitting still to pay attention. They are commonly used in classrooms to help active children listen. But they are great for adults and children alike. There are numerous options including pre-made and DIY fidget objects. I like to keep a few mesh and marble fidgets handy. See here. There is a popular cube fidget on the market now too that children and adults both enjoy.

5. Be animated. All the best speakers out there are animated. In other words, they move a lot. They move their voice and their bodies. Use inflection in your voice, look directly at people in your audience, and move around. Avoid standing still for too long, walk up to and interact with your listeners. It may feel odd at first, but it will get easier. There is nothing wrong with carrying your notes with you so you don’t loose your place. Watch your favorite speaker for ideas and of course practice.  

Do you have a great strategies for keeping or getting people’s attention? Share it in the comments below!

Written by David F. Garner 

Skills: The Half Hitch

The half hitch is a popular knot. It is most commonly and most practically used as two half hitches. This knot is quick and easy to learn. It has similar uses to a clove hitch but is more practical in many applications such as securing a line to a tree such as a ridgeline.1 It can be made more secure by adding an extra loop around the object to which it is tied. Then it is called a Round Turn and Two Half Hitches. However the round turn is not necessary. See a great illustration from Animated Knots by Grog here http://www.animatedknots.com/roundturn/#ScrollPoint.

Here is a brief description from Ashley’s Book of Knots, “Two HALF HITCHES is the commonest of all hitches for mooring in particular and also for general utility. This [knot] is easier to draw taut and hold under stress…. Commonly used in parcel tying and [securing the end of] lashing a load. The HALF HITCH is tied with one end of a rope, which is passed around an object and secured to its own standing part with a SINGLE HITCH. The difference between the CLOVE HITCH and Two HALF HITCHES is exceedingly vague in the minds of many, the reason being that the two have the same knot form; but one is tied around another object, the other [two half hitches] around its own standing part.”2

Sources

1 Caudill, Craig. "Top Five Useful Knots for Camping, Survival, Hiking, and More." YouTube. Nature Reliance School, 18 June 2014. Web. 21 June 2016. .

2 Ashley, Clifford W. The Ashley Book of Knots. p 14, 295. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1944. Print.

Written By David F. Garner

Photo Credit: David F. Garner

Skills: The Square Knot

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It's important to know some basic knots that are versatile and secure. There are many options of varying difficulty. It can be overwhelming. Many people just settle for tying the Granny knot or some unknown configuration. Neither option is trustworthy.

An easy and highly useful knot is the Square knot. This knot is also sometimes known as the Reef knot. It is secure and looks neat too. It is useful for securing gear, tying shoes, and even wrapping gifts. It should not be used when safety is critical such as in climbing or rappelling. But for many other everyday tasks it is a great knot.

To tie it take one end in each hand. Tie an overhand knot placing the left end over the right. Then tie another overhand but this time place the right end over the left. When you are finished it should resemble a square, hence the name. For instructions with pictures visit this link http://www.animatedknots.com/reef/. Check back weekly for more useful skills and Bible based lessons!

Sources

Ashley, Clifford W. (1944). The Ashley Book of Knots. #1402, p 258. Faber and Faber. London. Print.

By David F. Garner
Photo Credit: David F. Garner