The communications director will send out the Prayer Schedule weekly, no later than Friday morning before the start of each new week. Consideration of holidays and canceled prayer sessions should be reflected on these schedules before the new week begins. The schedules should be sent to the pastors of the locations and their assistants, so they can communicate or post the schedule by Friday night service and again on Sundays making sure the prayer team leaders are notified in advance.
Locations:
All equipment must be pre-tested the day before the scheduled broadcast and the “Set” prepared. Instead of using the pulpit, have a nicely covered table for the team prepared in advance. Always pre-check the setup, the computer, camera, sound and connection the day before the scheduled broadcast. If at that time there is an equipment or connection problem, then notify the communications director immediately. Any prayer broadcast cancellations or needed changes by a location are to be made to the communications director 24 hours in advance. Prayer Broadcast Teams: There should be at least a Team Leader and a Backup. Two (2) Spirit-filled saints for each broadcast session, Monday through Friday. The team should be in place before the camera no later than 5:50 am and 11:50 am respectively. Prayer broadcasts MUST start on time at 6:00 am and 12:00 pm EST-US.
Timeliness and faithfulness to this platform is a priority for 2009. Our Online Church members and online visitors should not be kept waiting online because of late prayer teams or equipment setups. This is no longer acceptable for prayer or any scheduled broadcasts. Online visitors or people searching out prayer platforms on the Internet do not wait around to see if something will begin 5, 10 or 15 minutes past the posted schedule. They will leave the website and find what they are looking for and possibly may never return to our website. Session Structure either the International Prayer Council president or the leader chosen by Dr. Banks should oversee this prayer platform.
Before the start of each new week, the overseer should prepare the week’s topic as to what the teams will minister or discuss for the first 5-10 minutes of each prayer broadcast. Uniformity throughout the prayer teams will bring a consistency to our sessions. For example one week could be: “The Mercy of God”. Another could be the “Forgiveness of God” or “The Sons as Ministers of Reconciliation”. Rather than teaching from a study guide, these 5-10 minutes could be a lively discussion between the team leader and the back-up, bringing in definitions or explanations from a study guide or scriptures, allowing the Holy Spirit to minister through them. Instead of a “teaching format”, the lesson would simply “flow” out of them.
The prayer broadcast overseer should email or call the pastors of each location before the start of each new week to communicate to them the topic for the prayer teams. The pastors then should communicate the topic for the new week to the team leaders so they can prepare their teams or back-ups. We will no longer have a time of “silent prayer” (as this is not effective online), however at our locations, a time of personal prayer might be very effective. Interactivity Remember, at 6:00 am many people are getting ready for a hectic day at work and listening to Morning Prayer. Let it be a time of encouragement, uplifting and prayer. It should be “lively” and “interactive” to keep the viewers watching, listening and involved. Actual prayer should begin no later than 6:10 and 12:10. The team leader should begin the prayer, asking the viewers to type in their prayer requests on the bulletin board. The back-up should be monitoring the computer or preferably have a laptop computer right on the table where prayer is coming forth. At the prayer webpage located on www.bibleteachers.com, to the right of the viewer is a chat bulletin board for prayer requests. As the prayer requests come in, they can be given to the team leader or the back-up can continue on with prayer requests when the leader is done praying. End the session by inviting them to the next online broadcast, as well as to the Online Church’s interactive prayer sessions in PalTalk immediately after the broadcasts for an additional 30 minutes of interactive prayer. BTI Online Church Prayer Procedure Prayer is a platform for ministry and we must understand the responsibilities that go along with being chosen to be “intercessors for souls”. In order for us to enter into effectual prayer, we must comprehend God’s perspective for prayer. Many prayers of the saints go unanswered because as James said, “they pray amiss” (James 4:3). Prayer is communication with the Father as we fellowship with Him as “Sons”. St. Luke 11:2“…when ye pray, say, Our Father…” We are the Sons of the most High, born of His Spirit.
Please review Prayer in the Church: A Training Manual and read it in its entirety. This is a study guide by Mary Banks. This should be in your personal Faith Library at your home. We regularly refer to it, as well as teach from it. Prayer is a component and one of the most important functions of the church entity of Bible Teachers International, a division of Mary Banks Ministries. The Online Church follows the same directives and methods installed by the apostle, as do all churches in the ministry. In addition, we follow apostolic order as installed by Jesus Christ and the apostle. We are a multifaceted global ministry, looking forward to the soon triumphant return of Jesus Christ, and dedicated to revealing the truth of God’s Word, establishing God’s will and purpose in the earth, winning lost souls, and preparing laborers to work in the end-time vineyard, by the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom.
At present, the Online Church operates “In-House” Online Prayer in our PalTalk Room on a weekly basis. Because our room is “password protected”, only registered Online Church and Online School Members attend. Payment for this room is $84 monthly which is maintained solely from Online Church Tithes and Offerings. The Online Church also has an Online Prayer Council. The online ministry (Online Church and Online School) is under the spiritual and administrative leadership of the Online Senior Pastors and oversight of the Bishop of the Online Church.
In-House Prayer In-House PalTalk Procedures:
1. All Online Church “In-House PalTalk Prayer Sessions” come under the oversight of the Senior Pastor and the administration, coordination and direction of the Online Church Prayer Coordinator.
2. All Online Church Members who hold any leadership position in Mary Banks Ministries must attend prayer at least three times a week.
3. Leaders who do not attend three sessions of prayer per week may not Oversee or be a Backup for any prayer session, either “In-House Prayer” or for our upcoming “Global Evangelistic Prayer Sessions” which will be open to the public.
4. Overseers (leaders who take the oversight and direct the sessions) and Back-ups (those members/leaders who are being trained to oversee Prayer platforms plus administrate the sessions) should be consistent in their own prayer life, have a pure heart and be sensitive to the Spirit.
5. All Online Church Members should come into prayer ready to pray and to make their requests known, along with communicating their praise reports.
6. Overseers, Back-ups and all Online Church Members should be mindful that PalTalk prayer sessions are “platforms for ministry”and routes on the Mary Banks Ministries “Growth Path” for training and servitude to our Father.
7. Both Overseers and the Back-ups are to be attentive and always ready to cover each other in their respective duties, keeping the unity of the Spirit. If for any reason the Overseer encounters connection problems, the Backup must assume the oversight of the session until the Overseer comes back into the room successfully.
8. If you are a Paltalk Prayer Overseer or Backup, it is necessary if you have responsibilities that day, to be present in our PalTalk room by 6:25 am or 12:25 pm at the latest to be prepared to Oversee/Backup.
9. Back-ups are always to do “microphone checks”. Do this as soon as people arrive in the room (even if they arrive early).
10. Back-ups should not wait on people to come into the room before starting the session. Start the session at 6:30 am and 12:30 pm respectively with “mic” checks.
11. The Overseer must begin the prayer session no later than 6:35 am and 12:35 pm (or the Backup must start if the Overseer is not present).
12. In the event there is a “special event, conference or broadcast” called by our apostle or bishop and the prayer broadcast at www.bibleteachers.com is going past the time of our PalTalk Session, it is not necessary for everyone to leave the broadcast. Be led by the Spirit. Normally the broadcasts end at the assigned times.
13. If someone is not able to hear us when they enter the room, or if we cannot hear them, continue checking “mics'' or praying with the others who are present. Do not try to fix or troubleshoot any sound or microphone problem during prayer time. This only takes away from the time needed for prayer.
14. Follow this Audio Problem Procedure: Briefly state to the person having problems that they should take the “Audio Test'' included on their Pal Talk Messenger’s Menu under “Setup” or they can enter the “Help Room” in the Category section of Rooms. We cannot take on the responsibility of troubleshooting audio problems.
15. It is important that our prayer platforms run smoothly and benefit those in attendance. Those who serve on the prayer platform should be “watchers” over the room and one another, being vulnerable and communicating any concerns to the Online Church Prayer Coordinator so that issues, concerns or problems can be rectified.
16. The Study Guide for sharing of the Word will be assigned by the Prayer Coordinator or Coordinator’s Designee.
17. Immediately after the microphone check, the Overseer will begin with then scripture for the day from the assigned Study Guide or Manual. Sharing of the Word should be no longer than ten minutes maximum.
18. After the rendering of the scripture and sharing the Word, the Overseer will then ask for Prayer Requests. Members and visitors may at this time offer up prayer requests. Type prayer requests on the message board or “raise your hand” and verbalize your request. The Backup will summarize and type them on the board.
19. Next the Overseer will direct certain individuals to pray over the various requests made. Please be mindful to pray only over the requests you were asked to pray. It is always a good idea to have a pen and paper handy to write down who and what you were to include when it comes your time to pray. Avoid repetitive praying.
20. It is not necessary that everyone who enters the room has a prayer request. If members or visitors have a request then that is fine. If no one has a request, that is fine also. Just select the people who will pray and at that point go right into prayer. Use the Prayer Request List our apostle gave us as a ministry and select people to pray for the things on that list.
21. Remember, we are a Global Ministry and there are “global” needs that need to be prayed for daily. We are intercessors for lost souls around the world.
22. There will be times when everyone in the “Room” will not be asked to pray, due to the time and the number of requests being made. Continue on in one accord, in an attitude of prayer and undergird your brothers and sisters.
23. Do not call upon a person to pray if you do not know them (even if they request to do so). We must know those who labor amongst us. We cannot come on one accord and will waste time in prayer to the Father if flesh in any way takes the forefront. Remember, prayer is for the Sons of the most High! Be led by the Spirit as to whom to call upon. When you are not sure, call upon the Prayer Coordinator and pastors to take the mic for prayer.
24. Overseers/Back-ups should be mindful of leadership. Be sensitive and ready to receive further edification, as the Holy Spirit brings it forth. It is not always necessary to announce or point out that certain leaders are in the room or have come into the room, especially after prayer has begun. If there is a point during prayer or after prayer that the Senior Pastor or Bishop desires to speak or pray, they will let you know. If prayer is already going forth, you can always welcome leaders and “newcomers” at the end of prayer and ask them at that time if they want to take the microphone, if time permits. Remember, they may be coming into the prayer session just to listen and be a part of prayer and not necessarily to pray audibly or minister. Oftentimes, they just need or desire to listen and come in one accord with those praying and not be actively participating or speaking.
25. After prayer has begun, there should be no verbal “welcoming” of newcomers, members, leaders, etc. when they enter the room late, (a very short note of welcome typed on the board is fine). The Overseer or Back-up can welcome newcomers and leaders at the end of the session if led by the Spirit to do so and if time permits.
26. If the Overseer and/or the Overseer and Back-up are the only ones in the room at prayer time, commence praying audibly together, as the Spirit leads. If the prayer session is only five or ten minutes in length and the Spirit is finished, then close out the prayer session and either the Backup or Overseer can remain in the room in order to keep it open until 7:00 am or 1:00 pm respectively. This would be important in the event someone comes in late and may have a prayer request.
27. Overseers may briefly share current announcements in regard to the Online Church at the end of the session, if time permits. Daily or weekly announcements will be forthcoming from the Senior Pastor. Please only cover those announcements that will be emailed to the Prayer Coordinator weekly.
28. Back-ups/Overseers: If at any time you find you will not be available to cover your assigned responsibilities, contact Our In-House Prayer Coordinator immediately so that other arrangements can be made. With so many varied areas of ministry available to the members, everyone coming into the Growth Path can find an area where their gifts and talents can be utilized for the Body of Christ. There will be structured classes with developed curriculum for all various areas.
