Five Step Prayer Model

A relational, interactive way of praying for others as we listen to the Holy Spirit.

Over the past forty years or so in the Vineyard, we’ve used the Five Step Prayer Model to pray for literally millions of people in all kinds of contexts from church meetings to small groups to out and about in the world. And we’re really excited to teach this simple model.

Five Step Prayer Model

When we pray for people, there are a few things that should be experienced every time: God’s compassion and kindness, listening to God on someone’s behalf (John 5:19), spiritual authority, and normalcy. 

Step 1: Discussion – Introduce yourself and ask the person what they want prayer for.

Step 2: Discernment – L-shaped listening: to God and to the other person. What is God saying to us? What does He have for the person? 

Step 3: Diagnosis – Discernment into action. What kind of prayers should we pray? (Intercessory, Biblical commands, prophetic words)

Step 4: Do It – Ask if you can put your hand on their shoulder and ask the person to assume a receiving posture. Keep your eyes open to observe what the Lord is doing. 

Step 5: Next Steps – Check in with the person and ask how they’re doing. Help them make a plan to continue their journey with Jesus.

Small Group Guide

The Five Step Prayer Model is a simple, interactive way to pray for others, beginning and ending with God’s mercy. Below is a practical guide to help you use these videos in a small group setting, to help you practice learning how to pray for people.

  1. Watch the first video above together: “Living Naturally Supernatural” with Jay Pathak (6 mins)
  2. Discuss the video, using the following questions as a starting point:
    • What stood out to you in what Jay said?
    • Jay mentioned what Jesus taught his disciples in John 5: “My Father is always at work…the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can only do what He sees His Father doing.” What does that tell you about how Jesus lived? 
    • In John 14:12, Jesus tells his disciples: “Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these.” What is the throughline of Jesus’s teaching here? 
    • Where do you notice God’s presence in the places you spend time? How do you want to join with God in the work He’s doing?
  3. Watch the second video together: “Five Step Prayer Model” with Anabeth Morgan and Josh Williams (9 mins)
  4. Discuss the video, using the following questions as a starting point:
    • What stands out to you from the video about the things people should always experience in prayer? (Anabeth and Josh discuss this in the first two minutes.)
    • What are the five steps of the Five Step Prayer model? What feels easy and/or challenging about each of them? (This is discussed and demonstrated after 2:00 in the video.)
  5. Now try!
    • Ask for a volunteer from your group.
    • Pray for them using the Five Step Prayer Model
    • Process the experience with them.
    • Pray for someone else! The most important thing is practice. In John 10, Jesus promises that he will teach his people to hear his voice and learn to follow him.  The more you pray, the more opportunities you have to grow in that.