Prayer is of vital importance in our faith lives. We live in a darkened world. As Christians the only way we can be the light of Jesus to that world is to stay in touch with Him in prayer. Whatever the need is, prayer should be our first resource, not our last resort. It is also one of the commitments we make when we join the church. We pledge our service, our gifts, our presence, and our prayers as we stand before the congregation. In other words, we promise to take part in the programs of the church, to share our worldly goods with the church, to attend its worship services regularly, and to pray for the well-being of the church.
One way we can be involved in prayer at Gibson is to participate in the Prayer Ministry. (1) We have a prayer chain that offers prayer for specific need that are brought to us. (2) We have a prayer list on the back of each Sunday’s bulletin. We should be praying for these even when we don’t know the actual issues. (3) We publish a prayer calendar each month with a specific topic to guide our prayer for that month. It also offers a reading-through-the-Bible option. (4) There is a prayer warrior team that prays during worship for the service and for the pastor, as well as for other concerns that are expressed to us. (5) The liveliest and most fun part of this ministry is the Shawl Ministry. We meet each Tuesday morning to knit (or crochet, if that’s your preference) shawls for those who are ill, grieving, or otherwise in need of God’s comfort, presence, and healing. Occasionally we have a call for caps, scarves, baby blankets or other items. We intercede in prayer for the needs of those receiving a shawl, as well as any other needs that we know of, those of our own church, our community, and ourselves. Those of us who participate benefit as much as those for whom we work and pray. We have experienced answered prayer in powerful ways. If you were to ask any one of us, she would most likely tell you that this ministry has affected her greatly at one time or another. It has comforted us, and generally been a delight in our lives. Letters have come from some of those who have received shawls to tell us that their lives have been affected in those same ways. We praise the Lord for this opportunity to serve and to share in His love and we invite you to join us. (6) Every so often we offer classes on prayer to youth or adults.
If you’re not already serving Gibson and our community in prayer, please take advantage of one of the opportunities listed above and experience the power of prayer for yourselves. As you do, you’ll find your faith growing as you’ve never felt it before. As Gibson becomes immersed in prayer, watch its light shine ever brighter in our community and beyond.
To find out more telephone Celia Wachtel at (252) 478-5785.
Thoughts to ponder:
The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray. – Samuel Chadwick
I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I am helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time – waking or sleeping. It does not change God – it changes me. – C.S. Lewis