Event Host Checklist
As pastors and leaders, you know well the power that God’s people experience when they PRAY! On the first Thursday in May, our nation pauses to observe a National Day of Prayer, and on that day, we as the church in America, have an opportunity to emphasize the importance of PRAYER as a testimony to who God is, what we believe, and the fact that our Nation was founded upon the truths of God’s Word. We would like to invite you and your congregation to join with thousands of other churches across our nation to participate in this year’s National Day of Prayer!
Step 1 – Develop Your Plan
We have created this step-by-step guide to help you and your congregation promote prayer as an event or as a month-long emphasis culminating with your National Day of Prayer event. Either way, we have tools and resources available to assist you in the process. You will need to appoint a coordinator to head up planning and promotion. We can help them along the way, so you may want to encourage them to sign-up on this website. Then, assemble a prayer team to support the event or emphasis with prayer. Together, create a calendar and determine the dates, as well as the times and locations for any supplemental classes on prayer. If you are looking for ideas, we have some helpful suggestions on our event ideas page.
Step 2 – Begin Promotions
Sunday morning is your best promotion time. Posters, bulletin or program covers, bulletin inserts, a PowerPoint slide, graphics, and announcement copy are available through our web shop or for download. We’ve left space so that you can customize with your church’s information. Your promotional plan could look something like this:
- Six Weeks
- Four Weeks
- Three Weeks
- Two Weeks
- One Week
Six Weeks
Six Weeks Prior to the Prayer Event
- Create a list of helpful resources available at ndp.outreach.com
- Order your resources
- Minimum suggestions would be:
- Complete Event Kit (best value)
- Posters
- Flyers
- Bulletin Inserts
- Prayer Guides
- Bookmarks
- Program Cover
- Post your event in our new Event Finder
Four Weeks
Four Weeks Prior to Event
- Download and use our promotion tools (graphics, links, videos, radio spots) to help build online awareness
- Promote on your website, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
- Put up posters in highly visible areas. Multiple posters are recommended as it will create a greater visible impact
- Promote onscreen before and after services
- Announce event/annual theme from the pulpit
- Have a display or table available with flyers, prayer guides and book marks, and sign-up sheets for any event volunteers needed
Three Weeks
Three Weeks Prior to Event
- The same as prior week, but this week insert the flyers/bulletin inserts into your regular Sunday bulletins.
- Be sure to go to the National Day of Prayer Shop and find your Outdoor “Spread the Word” Kit and tools: Outdoor Promotion Kit, or purchase individually: Yard Signs (pkg of 4), Door Hangers (pkg of 150) or event an event banner or bumper stickers – there are a number of great tools to choose from.
Two Weeks
Two Weeks Prior to Event
- Keep up the promotions and be sure to check out our seven spheres prayer guides. Together we can fan the flame of the prayer movement.
One Week
One Week Prior to Event
- The same as prior week, but this week insert the bulletin inserts into your Sunday bulletins once again, and make a final call to attend/sign up from the pulpit
- Be sure to list your event on the Event Finder. Thousands of people may be searching for prayer gatherings in your area, so don’t miss the opportunity to let others know what is happening at your church or in your community!
Step 3 – Host Your Event
Communicate directly with your congregation by email/Facebook to remind them one or two days prior to the event/class taking place. Hold event (such as the National Day of Prayer) or finish your month long emphasis.
Gather feedback and testimonies that can then be shared with the congregation to encourage them forward in prayer. If you would like to share a Glory Story testimony with the NDP Task Force, email us at glory.story@nationaldayofprayer.org.
