This prayer concept is cool just because of the name – the usage of URC is one syllable that sounds like ”irk.”  It was invented by the Youth Group many years ago and named in honor of the church bus.  The big church bus had “University Reformed Church” painted on each side, and URC painted on the front, above the window.  It was affectionately called URC (like “irk”).

The prayer time is simply explained.  Stand in a circle and hold hands.  The leader prays a short prayer and then the next person on the right prays a short prayer immediately after, and so on. Go around two or three or five times depending on size of the group and the maturity of group members.

Holding hands allows you to squeeze the next person’s hand as a sign for them to proceed, when you have no prayer.  If you are doing it with youth group, the next person has to speak or squeeze a hand immediately after the prior person finishes.  Older groups are free to allow longer prayers and longer pauses.

You may want to have people share prayer requests before you start. You may also want to prime the pump with a few Bible verses like one of Paul’s prayers or the Lord’s Prayer.