How to run Alpha > Prayer
Prayer is the foundation of every Alpha.
It’s the single most important thing you can do to prepare, run, and support your Alpha. Everything we do, from welcoming guests to hosting small groups, is strengthened and guided by prayer.
Prayer
FOUR WAYS TO INTRODUCE PRAYER
1. GET YOUR WHOLE CHURCH PRAYING
Encourage your church community to pray for Alpha during services, small groups, and prayer meetings. Even if your Alpha is happening outside the church building, at a café, college campus, or online, involve as many people as possible. Some churches get a group of people to pray separately from the group while the Alpha sessions are happening. Corporate prayer not only makes a difference spiritually but also keeps Alpha visible in the church and reminds members to invite friends.
Youth/online tip: Encourage youth groups and student prayer teams to get involved perhaps through prayer chains on WhatsApp, shared Google Docs, or Zoom channels dedicated to praying for guests.
2. PRAY TOGETHER BEFORE EACH SESSION
Take time at the start of every Alpha session for hosts, helpers, and the team to pray together. Pray for the guests, the talk, and the session as a whole.
3. HOSTS AND HELPERS PRAY FOR EACH GUEST
Encourage your hosts and helpers to pray daily for the guests in their group, by name, if possible.
4. GET GUESTS PRAYING WHEN THEY’RE READY
Gradually introduce guests to prayer. This may happen when they respond to an invitation to pray during session five on prayer; share answered prayers; or begin to pray aloud for one another. Keep it simple and encouraging. Some of the first prayers guests pray are the most memorable and impactful.
Remember that there’s no pressure. If a guest doesn’t want prayer, that's okay.
Youth tip: For youth leaders, introduce prayer in an approachable way. Present it as a moment of quiet reflection before offering optional prayer out loud.
Online tip: In online settings, you can create breakout prayer rooms or simply invite guests to keep cameras off if that helps them feel comfortable. Background music can also help set a calm tone.
PRAYER THROUGH ALPHA
Watch the Prayer & The Weekend Training or Alpha Youth Day and Prayer Ministry video on MyAlpha – both give great advice on prayer throughout your Alpha.
We recommend avoiding prayer before meals or during small groups until session five: Why and how do I pray?
This ensures that prayer is introduced thoughtfully and discussed thoroughly. In this session, the small groups discuss the topic of prayer and then try praying together at the end. Hosts may say a short prayer or invite guests to pray aloud. From this point, hosts can choose to end small group sessions with prayer.
The Alpha Day or Weekend usually takes place halfway through the course and provides space for guests to experience prayer ministry if they wish to. The day focuses on the Holy Spirit; who he is, what he does, and how he helps us live in relationship with Jesus. After the final session, guests have the opportunity to be prayed for by hosts and helpers, offering a space to encounter God’s love and guidance through the Spirit.
After the Alpha talk on healing (session 14: Does God heal today?), small groups are encouraged to pray for guests who would like healing. Watch the team briefing video for this session on MyAlpha, where we encourage you to pray that God would release healing through words of knowledge which can be shared after the talk. Or simply offer to pray for anyone in pain. Jesus has given us his power and authority to pray for the sick, so we simply pray, “In the name of Jesus, pain go.” Step out in faith and give it a go.
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR PRAYER MINISTRY
1. INVITE AND WAIT
Begin with a simple prayer such as, “Come, Holy Spirit, and fill our hearts.” Then wait quietly and patiently.
A few minutes of silence may feel long, but it creates space for God to move. Some groups may prefer soft worship music, others silence – the key is to wait.
2. INVITE GUESTS INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS
Offer guests the opportunity to pray a prayer of faith or repentance if they want to start or renew a relationship with Jesus. This can be guided with the sample prayer in the Why Jesus? booklet. Conclude with a short prayer and a moment of waiting on the Spirit.
3. HOSTS AND HELPERS PRAY
After waiting, hosts and helpers can begin praying for guests. This may include:
praying for someone to encounter Jesus for the first time
praying for the filling of the Holy Spirit
praying for spiritual gifts
The prayer time can last anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour. Consider including worship songs to help people focus and respond.