If you’re ministering at the altar and feel you need help, ask another leader nearby to pray with you.  You don’t have to feel like you are on your own.

Speak encouraging words, don’t tell anyone you sense fear, discouragement, sin etc.  You may be aware of their sin when you begin to pray for them but you haven’t made a connection and do not have the authority to speak into that person’s life. You have authority to pray in faith, because you have been released to do so.  If you think someone seems fearful, pray for them to walk in courage. If you feel there is a sin issue, pray for them to be free and walk in victory.

If someone shares a complicated problem with you, or you can tell they need personal ministry, ask them, “Do you have a cell pastor?”  Do not try to counsel or solve someone’s problem at the altar. Just pray for wisdom and direction. Pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit in their situation. Pray for victory in his or her life. Encourage them to share with their cell pastor. If they are new to Central or not in a cell, follow the Connect procedure. This may be your next cell member! How awesome to pray with someone to receive Jesus and then be able to disciple them in your cell!

Don’t be intimidated by the “What ifs?”

“What if they don’t respond to me? What if I don’t hear from God? or What if I say the wrong thing?” etc.  

Hebrews 4:16 says:

 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  

It doesn’t say that when we are expert ministers with all the right words and a direct prophetic line from Heaven, THEN we can enter the throne room.  No, it says to “come boldly”! His grace will meet us there as we escort someone else into His presence. What a privilege! 

His grace will make up for our mistakes. We have guidelines but if you mess up, next time you’ll do better. We must remember that it isn’t about us. It’s about this person receiving Jesus or healing or whatever they have made the long walk down the aisle to receive.

General things to pray when you are ministering to someone:

Pray for faith, strength, wisdom, power, direction, peace, and joy.

Pray that he or she will know how much God loves them.

Follow the leading of the speaker. Sometimes an altar call is for a specific need. It may be freedom from bondage, financial problems, baptism in the Holy Spirit, etc. Pray specifically for that need in those situations. If the speaker begins to pray aloud, listen and agree with him/her in prayer.

f you are praying with someone new, ask if it is OK for you to touch them. Remember that this person may have never been to church before. They do not understand our “church culture”.  Put yourself in their place. New experience, new place, now they are standing in front of a total stranger! Be very sensitive, we do not want to allow distractions.

Always ask a new person if you can touch them before you do so. If they say yes, lightly touch the person’s hand or shoulder. Generally speaking, it is not a good idea to touch anything other than someone’s hand, arm or shoulder.  If you are praying for healing you may lightly touch the forehead. Make sure you ask the person before doing so. If they say, “No” or seem very uncomfortable, just keep your hands to yourself and pray.

 Always speak in a normal tone of voice, as others may be praying around you. Do not shout or speak loudly in tongues when you are ministering to someone at the altar. This could be a distraction.