1. You must be spiritually prepared to assist with seekers. You cannot lead people where you have not been yourself.
2. Every mature believer should help pray with seekers. If you cannot pray around the altar, pray from your seat.
3. No seeker should pray alone. Galatians 6:2 tells us to “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
4. If you do not have a pastoral or familial relationship with anyone who is at the altar, pray about whom you should pray with. Ephesians 6:18 tells us to be “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”
5. Modesty is important, especially around the altar. Modesty is important for those praying with seekers and important for the seekers.
6. At times, it may be valuable to find out what the seeker is praying about, so you can be unified in what you are praying for. James 5:16 tells us to “Confess your faults one to another.”
Schedule a follow-up time if someone needs extended counseling.
7. Pray fervently. Pray with boldness. Pray believing. James 5:16 says that the “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (emphasis added). Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (emphasis added). Matthew 21:22 assures us that “all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (emphasis added).
8. Be careful when praying with the opposite sex. It is always best that men pray with men and women pray with women to avoid unnecessary temptation. An altar worker should not physically touch someone of the opposite sex, but a Bible may be used.
9. Pray until the seeker is finished praying. Be careful not to allow the altar to become a counseling session. Sometimes people are just wanting to talk to the pastor about their need instead of praying about their need. Advice and counsel can certainly be given, but it is best to schedule a follow-up time if someone needs that. Pray on!
10. No seeker should leave the altar without briefly stating their condition. Some helpful questions to prompt the seeker are: “Is everything clear?” “Did God help you?” “What did God do for you?” “Do you have victory?”