Pray

Praying for your small group may not sound like a very insightful tip, but it is actually the best advice I can give.

Four reasons it’s so important to pray for your small group:

1. Prayer reminds you that you are utterly dependent on God.
   None of us, in our own strength, can change kids’ lives. Only God can do that. By constantly asking God for help, you remind yourself each week that this is God’s ministry and you are His tool.
   
   
2. Prayer puts you in the right frame of mind each time you meet kids.
   Sundays can be hectic so we need to start the morning by focusing on God. Ask God to use you to show His love to kids. We often miss great opportunities to help kids see how amazing God is because we haven’t prayed and asked God to love kids through us.
   
   
3. Prayer endears the kids to you.
   When you pray for a child in your group by name and ask God to deepen your love for that child, God will give you a desire to know that child better and love him or her more.
   
   
4. Prayer increases your passion for ministry.
   Ministry has its ups and downs. It’s not always easy; it’s not always fun. However, as you pray for the kids in your group and pray for God’s help to lead well, God will strengthen your heart in the challenging times and increase your desire to make a difference in the lives of kids.

A few things to include in your prayers:

1. Thank God for…
   
   • each kid in your group
   • the opportunity to lead your group
   • His help and strength
     
     
2. Pray for each child in your group
   
   • that they will understand God’s love more and more
   • that they will make wise choices, treat others the way they want to be treated and trust God no matter what
   • any particular concerns you are aware of
     
     
3. Pray for yourself
   
   • that God will give you love, patience and wisdom as you lead your group
   • that God will help you become an even better small group leader for the kids in your group
   • that God will use you to impact kids for eternity
     

Each Sunday dedicate the morning to God and ask Him to use it to draw kids to Himself. If you forget to pray for the kids in your group and your time with them, you are missing out on the best help you’ll ever get.