Lane Palmer
Who am I?
Who comes to mind when you think of the word "warrior"? Arnold Schwarzenager? Mel Gibson in Braveheart? Whomever it is - you are probably thinking of someone with great courage and strength. Someone who is driven to victory no matter what the cost. Now, add to your concept of "warrior" the word "prayer". Prayer is communication with the God of the universe! Prayer is a holy battle, an eternal weapon. You are the person who takes the cause of prayer and fights relentlessly with great courage and strength to advance God's Kingdom.
What am I like?
As the prayer warrior on the e-team, you have an amazing task. Think about it - you're not just the person who tries to remember and pray for the evangelism efforts of your group, you are the primary offensive weapon against the strongholds that keep people from coming to Christ. You truly are a warrior who is taking on the kingdom of darkness with the most powerful weapon known - prayer. If your youth group is serious about reaching the lost for Christ, then Satan is serious about destroying your plans. He will stop at nothing to discourage people from coming, distract them during the meeting, and divert them from the saving message of Christ. If you don't believe me, just step back and observe any meeting where the gospel is given. Details will "somehow" fall through, people will be distracted, etc. etc. Your job is to fight the efforts of Satan before, during, and after the meeting. So strap on your armor and get ready to rumble!
What am I doing?
Now that you've enlisted in God's mighty army as a prayer warrior - what are your marching orders?
Initiate
Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto. It is dangerous and not as effective to fight by yourself. Another responsibility you have is to initiate a prayer movement by encouraging other students/parents/leaders to join the battle at every youth meeting. Believe me - Satan is coordinating his efforts - so you must do the same. Recruit a group of faithful adults and students who commit to fighting the prayer battle, and check in with them after every meeting.
Intercede
I know, duh! But there are many different kinds of prayer. There's the half asleep lullaby prayer, there's the "I'm sort of talking to myself" prayer, and there's the "I'll pray at the last moment" prayer. None of these types of prayer are present in the warrior's armory. Your job is to pray specifically, intently, constantly and powerfully. Before the meeting you are praying for God to protect the speaker, for the gospel to be heard and accepted, for students to listen, for the enemy to be confused, for students to choose Christ. During the meeting you continue to pray for these things, and you also pray for God to give the speaker boldness. After the meeting you are praying for opportunity for students to be able to share their faith, and for new believers. The list could go on and on - but you get the picture. Pray like you have never prayed before - souls are at stake!
What else?
First
Make sure that you are keeping your walk with Christ very close. Being the e-team prayer warrior, you are a target, so keep vigilant and check in with the Captain (Jesus Christ) early and often.
Second
Make up a specific prayer list for your prayer team that they can pray through at every meeting and through the week. Take suggestions from the other prayer team members to add to your list.
Third
Keep in close contact with your youth pastor to let him/her know what's going on. EVERY youth pastor desires to know what is going on in the battlefield of prayer. Perhaps a weekly e-mail or phone call, but whatever it is - check in!
Fourth
For your devotions, take some time to read about prayers in the Bible. You will find some amazing things - and it's a great idea to make these prayers your prayers. For example:
Ephesians 1: 15-23
Ephesians 3:14-21
Acts 4:24-30
For a more detailed explanation of your goals and duties, check out the e-team wheel.
To summarize
You stand in the gap - pray as you have never prayed before!
Form a "prayer platoon" of people who will fight alongside you.
Rally the troops and keep them accountable on praying for their friends.