The Missing Link… the Prayer Chain

by Karen Stewart | July 28, 2005

For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations. Isaiah 56:7

As believers in Christ, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit and are called to pray without ceasing (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:17). We are all called to pray; it's not a "gift" that only "some" believers possess. Prayer is a vital part of the church and crucial to our communion with our God.

The Rock Church house needs people to intercede for others. To "intercede" means literally to "entreat in favor of another, especially in prayer or petition to God in behalf of another," or to mediate.

As we each seek prayer for our own lives, we faithfully put on the armor of God with the shield of faith each day. But within this process, Ephesians 6:12-18 tells us to also make our supplication prayers for all saints, lifting up our brothers and sisters to the Lord.

The Power of Prayer

Praying scripture is the most powerful weapon Christians have against the schemes of the devil
Praying scripture is the most powerful weapon Christians have against the schemes of the devil

The Prayer Chain is just one of the many facets of the Prayer Ministry. Mary Kay Hartman is the Prayer Chain Ministry coordinator who would like to see an increase in our prayer chain partners to at least 10 percent of the church membership, which would give her a contact basis of 600 or more people.

Increasing the number of prayer chain partners would enable the Prayer Chain Ministry to more effectively cover the needs of our body of believers. Can you imagine? The power behind that amount of praying for the needs of others would be enormous!

All prayer requests are confidential and provided on a first name basis only. Prayer requests are received by email, through the prayer request box within the church, from the altar call teams, and from the church office.

Mary Kay sends the requests out via email or by snail mail should a person not have email access. Each member of the prayer chain receives four to five emails per week. They pray over the requests in their individual prayer time on a weekly basis.

Currently Mary Kay receives an average of 80 prayer requests per week. There are only 60 members in the Prayer Chain Ministry she can currently call upon to cover this need, which is approximately 320 prayer requests per month. This leaves her under staffed, considering the size of the church and the number of prayer requests that are received.

Intermission for Intercession

Prayer moves the hand of God
Prayer moves the hand of God

It is convenient, fast and rewarding to make a prayer commitment for others. It fulfills our belief that through prayer all things are possible through Jesus Christ. Matthew 21:22 says, And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. Believing for others brings victory for all of us.

This commitment to prayer is an excellent ministry for people who are unable to drive and attend a group, yet desire to be utilized for the needs of others. The prayer requests are incorporated within a person's own schedule. However, Dunamis is also available on the last Tuesday of every month, from 7-9 PM, for those desiring to participate in corporate prayer.

The Prayer Ministry of any church body is essential for its growth. Acts 2:42-47 instructs that as the body of Christ continues in steadfast bible teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer, that signs and wonders would be accomplished through those that believe together, and that the Lord would add daily to the church those desiring to be saved.

Please contact Mary Kay Hartman at prayerchain@therocksandiego.org if you would like to become a committed member of the Prayer Chain, or if you need prayer. Let the story of our lives be the story of prayer and answers to prayer.

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