Contending For Each Other
“So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.”
Exodus 17: 10-13
Aaron and Hur were standing alongside Moses contending for breakthrough. We are in a spiritual battle. And we at times will all hit points where we feel too tired to keep going. It’s at times like this, we need people to stand with us and hold us up in prayer, and practically support us when we are weary. And in turn, we play that role for them.
In the pattern stage you will have agreed when and how often you meet. When you meet each person will share for roughly 10-15mins, plus space for prayer. Use the steps below to help you build a framework for when you meet.
Each time you meet
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Each time you meet, select a facilitator. Try to pass this responsibility around so it doesn’t always end up being the same person. It is the facilitators responsibility to remind everyone about how to listen well (see top tips in Story section listen, permission & confidentiality), to keep to time and ensure you pray for each person.
A degree of sensitivity and flexibility will be needed if there is a particular week when someone needs longer to share. It will be the facilitators’ role to get agreement from the group to do this. Try not to fall into pattern where certain members of the group have little time to speak or always share last.
It is everyone’s responsibility to pray attention to group dynamics. For example, does someone always share last? Then use the facilitator role to draw them in. Or is one person frequently dominating the time? As facilitator, beware of such imbalances. Of course, also consider how you are impacting the group.
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Each person, including the facilitator, has 10-15mins to share using the questions below.
1. What are you celebrating?
2. What are you carrying?
3. Is there anything you need to confess*?
As you listen, consider how you might contend for them. This could be prayerfully; for example, committing to pray for them daily for the next week about what they are carrying. Or it could be practically, like sending them a text on the morning they are fasting to remind them.
*Confessing isn’t as scary as it sounds. 1 John 1:9 say, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” When we listen to people confess, we get to remind them they are forgiven. And when we confess, we are freed from isolation. Sin wants to remain unknown. It shuns the light. Confession draws us back into community.
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After someone has shared pray for them to be filled with the Spirit.
Simply lay hands on the person. If you are praying, keep your eyes open to watch and discern what they Spirit is doing. Don’t overwhelm the person with lots of words and advice. Welcome the Spirit to fill that person, wait and listen to the Spirit.
Ask God for anything he might want to say and share with humility. God words are always encouraging and in line with scripture.
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Always helpful to set the next date when you are all in one place!