Set-Up Help

 These are the instructions given to each new Prayer Tent member from our church, each church should provide some operating parameters.

LOCATION 

The closest location to the highest traffic volume is what you are looking for.  Of course, if you are on others property you must receive prior authorization and make sure the church knows your location site. 

SET UP  

-A truck will be required to haul materials to the site.  

-Go to the garage at the designated storage area to load:  

 Tent, ice chest, chairs, table, signage, tent anchors or blocks, literature and handouts.   

-Fill ice chest ice and water from the ice maker in the kitchen area (water bottles or a thermos)  

-Deliver items to the tent site.  Set up the tent, chairs, water station  

-Once the minimum number of prayer team has arrived set up signage along the highway.

-Ensure you wear your Prayer Tent Lanyard designating you as a Prayer Tent member. 

-Inform the church office that the Prayer Tent Ministry is operating, put the sign up in the office.  Ensure the sign has the phone for the Prayer Tent lead.  

-Notify the office when the team has finished its shift and take the signs down.  

-Return all items to the designated storage area.  

-Clean and dry out thermos and ice chest.  

-Lock up the storage site.  

-Report the number of participants you have prayed with each time to the appropriate church leader. Text email is fine.  

Ground Rules  

-2 prayer team members must be present to conduct a Prayer Tent session.  

-Please wear comfortable but nice clothes, short pants are ok in the summer.

-Try not to wear secular logo shirts and hats but Christian emblems and crosses are encouraged.  

-We cannot transport clients to outside agencies.  Please do not take clients anywhere in your own vehicle.    

-Do not send clients to the church office for food pantry items or other assistance.  Refer them to the agencies on the available referral guide.   

-Remember we are a prayer ministry, not a counseling service.  So be careful on giving too much advice.  

-Do not touch a participant without first asking for permission.  

-Remove your sunglasses during discussions with participants.  

-If someone tells you a reportable offense first consult with one of the pastors. 

Hand out items 

• Bibles 
• A Referral Guide is a good tool to have available to those needing help.  Your church probably already has one identifying the local shelters, food pantries, and medical help facilities near you. 
• Christian Books such as The Case for Christ or Bible Promises for You 
• Gifts – from quilting ministry or crosses or scripture cards 
• Anointing Oil  

We have found that using a crate works best to keep everything in one place without it blowing away.

Script Example 

• Hello, my name is  (First Name Only) 
• I am here to pray with you, what’s your first name? 
• How can I pray with/for you today?    

                           or 

• What can we pray about together? 

                             or 

• What is on your heart that you would like to bring to God? 
• May I put my hand on your shoulder while we pray? (if you are so inclined) 
• Ask if they know Jesus, not only who He is but do they have a relationship with Him? 
• If yes, so glad to hear that!  
• If no, can I tell you Good News? Tell it! 
• Before ending ask if they would like to add to whatever you have prayed about 
• Give them a closing statement as you step back 
• Ex.  God loves you so do we at here at ______,  be careful driving out there 
• May God bless you  

Tent and Signage 

We use a Wal-Mart sourced tent that is cheap but has lasted 1.5 year so far, the cover can be purchased separately so it is quickly and easily replaced. 

Ozark Trail 10x10 Instant Pop Up Canopy Tent with Simple Push Setup – Straight Leg Pop-Up Tent for Tailgating, Camping & Events, White 

For signage we ordered off Amazon a 1' x 8' Banner reading, "Community Prayer Tent"  and  "All are Welcome"  these can be fit with elastic bungee chords are easy to set up and take down.

We also ordered 2' x 8' feather flags as eye catchers saying, "May we Pray for You?"  and another one saying,  Hurting?   Need Help?. 

We also ordered a 2' x 4' sign saying "Prayer Tent >>>>" pointing to the prayer tent.  

For the feather signs we dug a hole and concreted 1" pvc pipe in the ground so all we have to do is slip the signs into the pipe and it is very easy to set up and take out. (As long as you intend to stay in the same location each week, Which we recommend since it takes some time for folks to see you and finally come in when they know you will be there)

We also ordered some coroplast fluked plastic signs from our local sign company where we go further up the road.  The first sign reads, "Need"  with a following sign reading "Prayer?"

See examples in the photos below: