A Tracking System for Prayer Requests
How can a pastor find out—and then conscientiously pray—about the many personal needs in a congregation? Likewise, how can people convey their hurts and requests to their pastor conveniently? At the Church of the Nazarene in the small Michigan town of Durand, the communication happens smoothly and regularly through a three-by-five card in the pew racks. "Dear Pastor Potter," it says, "please be my prayer partner and pray with me for—" At the bottom are lines for the name, address, phone number, and date. "People hand them to me as they leave a service, mail them to me, or deposit them in a locked box in the foyer, for which I have the only key," the pastor explains. "These cards provide me with a ready-made prayer list for the times when I go to my knees on behalf of my people. "If a card indicates something urgent, of course I make a phone call or a visit right away. These cards have opened doors of ministry for me that otherwise would not have come." On Sunday morning. Potter sometimes places several cards on the altar at the time of the pastoral prayer. "We promote the idea of being partners in prayer on a regular basis," he says. "Sometimes I will explain the cards in a service and have the ushers pass them out. Cards are always available beside the drop box in the foyer as well. I carry a supply with me for distributing during pastoral calls or other contacts. We've sort of become known in the community as the church with the prayer emphasis." A direct result of this has been the formation of prayer groups. One church member said, "The card makes me conscious that I'm not alone in my need." Another commented, "Having to put my request into words has helped me get specific about what I really want." Best of all are the times, ...
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