Prayer Chain

The current Emmanuel Episcopal Church Prayer Chain began in 2014, but has been part of our ministry for many years. It was reactivated by the current members when it became apparent that we needed to put our prayers and our hands together and pray for those in need.

Our Prayer Chain's mission is simply to pray for others whenever needed. People sign up to be on the chain, and they are contacted primarily by phone call or text message. People can contact the person who starts the Prayer Chain, or they can contact any of the other people on the list to request prayers. A few of the common requests are for healing, guidance and comfort.

Once a prayer has been requested, our Prayer Chain goes into action. the first person contacted will pray, then contact the next person on the list, then that person contacts the next person, and so on until all people on the chain have been contacted. Each person says a prayer as they receive the request, and continues to pray for that person. With today's technology, another way of utilizing the Prayer Chain is a group text or email request can be sent out so all the members receive the request to pray from one source at the same time.

Over the past four years, we have prayed for hundreds of prayer requests. Our prayers may be for a one time event, or ongoing. It may be for a fellow member of our church, or someone we do not know personally. We have prayed round the clock for 48 hours for a person in need using a sign up time sheet with various members of the Prayer Chain and others participating. We have also prayed for people at the time they requested prayers be said, such as when they are having surgery.

While we not always know the outcome of what we are praying for, we have faith that God knows, hears our prayers and we believe He answers them. His answers are not always what we had in mind, but trust and ask that His will, will be done for each prayer request.

Prayer is a gift and a privilege we have been given by God. Prayer comes in many forms; it can be a hymn, a simple conversation with God, or even a kind word or hug for someone who needs it. We have heard this said many times, "You may be the only bible someone has ever read", meaning our kindness, love and words demonstrate what God has taught us. Love your neighbor. Say a prayer for someone today!