It was that collective understanding of our task that the rest of the evening addressed. Sue Clark introduced a bible passage relating to Jesus guidance about prayer for others in order to stimulate the discussion. Our asking can unlock the means of receiving. Prayer is an ongoing and creative act, not a last resort. Our prayer, however general, is meant to engage with the experience of the congregation who fill in the more specific and personal details for themselves.
Prayer needs to be closely aligned with some action that follows from it or leads into it.
Those leading intercessions are like leaders of an orchestra enabling each and every member of the congregation to play a part. Preparing intercessions is quite rightly a demanding task. The person leading prayers communicates something of himself or herself, whatever language is used. Leading intercessions should be done in one s own way and not compared with how others approach the task. Lay people can bring a fresh perspective to prayers for others, which a minister often finds difficult.