Cottage Prayer Meetings

1900

The People's Forum

How would you make the cottage prayer-meeting more interesting and fruitful? — A. L. LESTER, Pontiac, Mich.

The little cottage prayer meeting is one of the most powerful means Christ uses today for the salvation of men. Every pastor who is seeking the conversion of young or old should encourage in every way in his power the meeting of small bands of Christian people for prayer and testimony. It is in these small home gatherings that so many young people find Christ as their Savior. In these meetings they are less likely to be carried off their feet by religious excitement which attends a larger gathering, and they feel God's presence oftentimes more deeply. Our subscriber asks how these can be made more interesting. If by "interesting" he means "entertaining" a wide field for discussion is opened. But if he means by "interesting," "more fruitful in conversions," then the subject is simplified. The object of a "cottage" prayer meeting is to place all more at ease. Those in charge of the cottage prayer meeting should aim to invite and have present some unconverted persons. The subjects discussed in an informal manner should be such as will draw them into the discussion, and the Christians present should seek to find out what stands in the way of their salvation. To give some point to a meeting will invariably arouse interest. If no unconverted persons are present let some of those present mention relatives or friends whom they wish to see converted. Let there be prayer over each one and let there be general discussion as to how God would have them reach these particular ones. Every cottage prayer meeting should be characterized by neighborly Christian greetings, the singing of Gospel Hymns, reading of Scriptures, prayer and testimony. The leader should use all the tact at his command to keep the discussions on the thought of the evening. The conversational manner rather than set speech should be encouraged and every effort made to draw out the timid.

—The Ram's Horn, March 17, 1900, p. 8.