Theme or Focus

• Choose a theme for your assembly. You might determine to pray for the students in your school, or for military people serving outside our borders. You might want to pray for peace around the world, or for God's guidance for national leaders. Choose a theme that reflects your prayer target.
  
  Each of the large rallies decides on a theme for the event. World Day of Prayer 2011 will use the theme "Informed Prayer Leads to Prayerful Action." The 60th observance of the National Day of Prayer will use "A Mighty Fortress is Our God." See You at the Pole 2011 will meet under the banner "Be Still and Know That I Am God."
  
  

Organization

• Things seem to flow much more smoothly when someone takes the lead. Choose someone, or a committee, to will head up the assembly and set a format. This includes at the very minimum choosing the location, date and time. You might determine that the leader will speak a few words to those who gather, lead a prayer, or just see that things run smoothly.
  
  For assemblies that are open to the public, make sure your location is large enough to accommodate those you expect to attend. Some assemblies like See You at the Pole and the National Day of Prayer may have outdoor assemblies so that all are welcome and there is plenty of room.
  
  

Type of Prayer

• Prayer assemblies can include different kinds of prayer. Determine the kind for your format. Some assemblies simply hold a reverent, prayerful atmosphere with no formal spoken prayers, and sometimes these assemblies last the entire day with people coming and going as they wish. Others have a single person or a group of people leading the prayer for the entire group within a set time frame. Some prayer assemblies allow anyone who wants to speak a prayer do so.
  
  

Assembly Audience

• Determine who will attend your assembly. An assembly at the school or office might be open to anyone who wants to come, but it must be organized by an employee or student. Such is the case with See You At the Pole. For the assembly to remain legal, students must lead the assembly.
  
  If your assembly takes place at the church, determine whether you will allow all to come or whether the assembly is open only to certain people. Your audience might determine other factors.
  
  

Other Factors

• Consider whether to include a speaker, music, refreshments, and time for attendees to share. Some groups will want to share prayer needs and hold one another up in prayer. Others will want quiet music helping to set the atmosphere. Choose components that support your prayer focus and theme.