As Christians, we know prayer is fundamental to our walk with Jesus. We take our worries, concerns, and praises to Him daily.

“I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time—waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God—it changes me.” —C.S. Lewis

So it makes sense that just as we incorporate prayer into our daily lives, we should incorporate prayer into our event planning.

Event planning can be absolutely stressful, and if you're a seasoned event planner, you've undoubtedly been asked before, "Why do you do that to yourself?" Mulling over the fine details to ensure they align with the big picture...bringing in the right people for the job(s)...matching the physical decor with the graphic design... it's a lot of work! But for those of us who've done it a time or two, we know that it's the end result that makes it all worth it!

Event planning is a service and a form of worship. While we may not be on the stage with the microphone or giving the sermon, our job is so important. Planning a successful Christian event requires not only meticulous organization and attention to detail but also a solid foundation built on faith. Prayer is our #1 tool!

By inviting God into the planning process, we can promote peace, clarity, and purpose among our team. In this blog, we'll share ways to incorporate prayer into the planning process, ultimately leading to a more fruitful and spiritually enriching event.

Prayer is a powerful tool that can transform the event planning process. By starting with Prayer, we lay a spiritual foundation that guides our future decisions and actions. Let's dive in and explore how Prayer can set the stage for successful event planning.

#1 Pray First

Pray first before planning a single detail. When we put God first, everything else falls into place. He binds our hearts and minds with His will.

By beginning with Prayer, we invite God's wisdom into our planning process, reminding us why we're planning the event in the first place. A strong spiritual groundwork helps us focus on the event's true purpose, ensuring our goals align with our Christian faith.

#2 Ask for Guidance

When we ask God for guidance, we open ourselves to unexpected inspirations and solutions He provides us. How many times have you laid awake at night ruminating over the details of your planning meeting earlier that day, thinking about the next steps?

"For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him." —Colossians 1:17

Prayer helps us discern between the right or wrong decision, and our spiritual connection with God can lead to creative ideas and innovative approaches we otherwise wouldn't have come up with.

#3 Build a Prayerful Team

Make prayer agenda item #1. Creating a prayerful team that puts prayer first is the key to success. When team members come together in prayer, it promotes unity, teamwork, and a shared sense of purpose.

Regular prayer before meetings can strengthen relationships within the team, promoting clear communication and mutual respect. A spiritual team modeled after God's love helps resolve (and prevent) conflicts among members. 

#4 Be a Disciple

Logistics are more than just items on a checklist list—they are opportunities to bear witness and disciple to others. Planning the logistics of an event requires purchasing supplies, outsourcing tasks, and, most importantly, collaborating with individuals outside the core committee.

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." —Matthew 4:19

As you engage with secular businesses and individuals who may not share your faith, prepare yourself with prayer. Ask God to use these exchanges as an opportunity to share your faith. Let your words and actions reflect His kindness, turning even routine tasks into moments of ministry.

Challenges and frustrations may arise when working with vendors. Pray for peace and approach every interaction with Christ's love, patience, and grace.

#5 Schedule Prayer

There are phases to event planning, and as mentioned earlier, praying prior to planning is a great first step. You may also consider incorporating spiritual reflections into the planning process. This reminds the team to consider both practical and spiritual aspects at each stage of planning.

Here is a list of suggested checkpoints:

• Pre-planning Session
• Team/Committee Formation
• Budget Establishment
• Venue Selection
• Event Decor
• Promotion and Advertisement
• Logistics and Management
• Pre-event Preparation
• Event Execution
• Post-event Evaluation

An effective strategy is to pray with your team at each of these major planning phases. This sets the tone for productive and spiritually aligned discussions. For example, when selecting a venue, pray for guidance to find a space that not only meets logistical needs but also a Holy and uplifting environment. This practice helps maintain focus on the event's higher purpose while addressing practical matters.

Prayer provides clarity and direction when faced with difficult decisions, and it's a tremendous tool for event planning. Instead of feeling stressed or anxious the next time you plan an event, trust God and lean into Him.

By seeking God's wisdom, we can make decisions that align with our spiritual values and the needs of our community, and a prayerful team is more likely to stay focused on the event's core goal––to worship our Holy Father––ensuring that every decision and action contributes to the overall mission.