Prayer is absolutely vital to a successful Alpha! Gather with your Alpha team each week before Alpha begins to go over the order of events, highlight any changes, check in with your team, and to pray! Here are some items to pray for each week:
Week 1 - Is there more to life than this?
Pray that pre-registered guests will show up online or in person
Pray that nothing will prevent them from attending
Pray for guests who are unsure to have the courage to join
Pray for the MC to be welcoming and engaging so guests feel at ease
Pray for Alpha team members to be inviting and feel confident
Pray for the health and safety of all team members and their families
Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit
Week 2 - Who is Jesus?
Pray that guests will have a fresh revelation of who Jesus is
Pray for the Alpha team to work together in unity
Pray that guests will return and for new guests to join
Pray that guests will see their need for God and a greater purpose in life
Pray for small groups to gel, have fun, have meaningful conversations
Week 3 - Why did Jesus die?
Pray that guests would know and feel the love of Jesus through the video
Pray for any team members & guests who are dealing with guilt and shame
Pray for team members & guests struggling with forgiveness (towards others or themselves)
Week 4 - How can I have faith?
Pray for guests who have never come to faith in Jesus, that they will have a life-transforming encounter with Him tonight (see sample prayer below)
Pray for guests with a lapsed faith, that their hearts would draw close to Jesus once again
Pray for hosts and helpers, to facilitate the small group discussion with the help of the Holy Spirit
Week 5 - Why and how do I pray?
Pray for guests & team members who struggle with prayer because of suffering they have experienced
Pray for guests & team members to take one step deeper in a daily prayer time
Pray for guests to make space in their schedules for the Alpha Weekend/Time Away
Week 6 - Why and how do I read the Bible?
Pray for guests & team members to have a growing hunger for God's Word
Pray for all to set aside a dedicated time to read the Bible each week
Pray for guests to commit to and be excited about the Alpha Weekend/Time Away
Pray for thought-provoking and engaging conversation tonight in each small group
Week 7 - How does God guide us?
Pray for all who are in need of guidance, that they will turn to God
Pray for anyone who feels like they’ve made a mess of their lives; to experience God's love, acceptance and forgiveness
Pray for the logistics of the Alpha Weekend/Time Away as teams plan & prepare
Pray for prophetic words and pictures to help guide the time of prayer ministry
Pray for the families of the guests & team to be protected from injury or sickness
Alpha Weekend/Time Away
Pray that all the details will come together for the Alpha Weekend/Time Away
Pray against any distractions or obstacles to join the Alpha Weekend
Pray for the hosts & helpers as they pray over and with guests, listening to and leaning on the Holy Spirit
Pray for guests to encounter the presence, peace, and power of our Lord Jesus Christ and to be filled with the Holy Spirit
Pray for great times of laughter, authentic Christian community, and a strong sense of connection to each other and to God in prayer
Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to reveal the love of the Father and that it will grow and bear abundant fruit
Week 8 - How can I resist evil?
Pray for guests & teams to be protected by the evil schemes of the enemy
Pray they will recognize the devil's lies about God and who we are in Jesus (identity)
Pray for all who participated in the Alpha Weekend/Time Away and continued growth
Pray for the guests who are still searching, who have not yet experienced the Lord in a new way during this Alpha
Pray for those who are suffering, going through temptation, and feeling burdened by the evil in the world
Week 9 - Why and how do I tell others?
Pray that team members & guests will be filled with love to reach out to neighbours and those who are far from God
Pray for the next Alpha, for guests to invite their friends to give it a try
Pray that God will soften the hearts of future Alpha guests; to be receptive to invitations to Alpha
Pray for joy to fill the hearts of each Alpha guest and team member
Week 10 - Does God heal today?
Pray for the time of prayer ministry that follows the video tonight
Pray for God to move in power tonight, for breakthroughs and miracles
Pray for protection over the evening: for the technology to work, for no obstacles or distractions that would prevent guests or hosts from attending Alpha
Pray for great faith and boldness in those praying and those receiving prayer
Week 11 - What about the church?
Pray that guests will want to continue meeting after this last session of Alpha
Pray for the Holy Spirit to show guests & team members the next step in their faith journey
Pray that God will continue to renew hearts and minds in the lives of guests & team members
Pray that guests will feel welcome to join the church community on Sundays and Home Groups and other ways of being involved
Prayer of Invitation
At the end of Episode 4 (Faith) of the Alpha video, the host leads guests in a prayer. There is also a prayer in the Alpha Guest Guide that you can pray with guests as the need arises:
Lord Jesus Christ, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life (take a few moments to ask his forgiveness for anything particular that is on your conscience).
Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong.
Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free.
Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and the gift of your Spirit. I now receive that gift. Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me forever.
Thank you, Lord Jesus.
Amen.