The School of Prayer may be an excellent idea with possibilities to begin a spiritual revival, but unless it is promoted wisely, many earnest seekers for truth may never realize its significance. Such a project should be planned far enough ahead so as to give time for adequate publicity.
First, six weeks prior to the time the School of Prayer is scheduled, frequent mention should be made from the pulpit and during the announcement period that such a venture is to take place. Talk it up as something important.
Every member should receive an invitation to attend. This can be done either through a mimeographed pastoral letter or by means of the regular parish paper. It can be headlined in such a way as to give adequate information so all will understand what is to take place. An active congregation is one that is informed.
In the several Schools of Prayer conducted by our group we have had printed a three-paneled announcement, the cover of which features the "praying hands of Christ" and announcing the date and the place of the school. On the first two panels on the inside an announcement of the six meetings listing the topics to be featured is given. The final panel is an application to attend the School of Prayer. Knowing the names of those planning to attend the School of Prayer, it is an easy task to divide the congregation into groups for discussion. On the back of the application is space to write a question on prayer. The middle panel on the back of the card features the book Communion With God. This three-paneled card is placed in the church bulletin the week before the School of Prayer starts. It can also be included in the pastoral letter.
On the Sabbath preceding the first meeting of the School of Prayer a special announcement is featured in the church bulletin. Two items are emphasized: First, every family is urged to purchase a copy Communion With God. Second, all are asked to be sure to turn in the application card expressing their intention of attending the meetings.
On this Sabbath the worship sermon is on the topic of prayer. This sermon is to create a desire in the mind of every church member to pray the prayer of the disciples of old, "Lord, teach us to pray," and to create a desire in the people to want to attend the sessions in order to study the science of prayer. This is an important sermon, for it will do more than anything else to sell the congregation on the necessity of attending the special series of meetings to be held in the church.
C. M. M
