Prayer Ministry

 
The Mission Bend United Methodist Prayer Ministry strives to develop an intentional effort for our church- and beyond- to seek God's will and to ask God's blessing.  We are faithful to the teachings and example of Jesus to pray to the Father with thanksgiving on all occasions.  We want to help you become more comfortable and effective in your prayer life.

We believe in the power of prayer, that prayer is a force and not just a formality.  We purposely promote prayer at every opportunity to help others realize the life-changing advantages to time spent in prayer.  We believe that prayer prepares us for eternity in intimacy with our Lord God.  We know that God answers prayer and that prayer works.  In 2008 a church-wide study on prayer will be held during Lent, and a formal system of praying with and for youth as well as contemplative prayer services will be instituted.

In response to real-life situations at Mission Bend, several Bible-based sample prayer guides have been authored.  They are available to offer a framework for prayer to those who may not have much prayer experience or who may want some suggestions to enrich their current prayer life and develop a closer relationship with our Lord God.  We particularly encourage use of the Bible as prayer foundation, so that God's own words are being used to communicate with Him.  This is a powerful approach, and most of these prayer guides are Scriptural.  You may access these sample prayer guides by clicking on the "Prayer" link at the top of this page,  They are also on a stand in the lobby of the church.

The Prayer Ministry team holds services of prayer and healing most months.  We vary the days of the services to try to enable more people to attend.  Each service is designed to ask Jesus to bring healing to you in every area of your lives, anywhere you or someone you care about is hurting, whether it be strained relationships, financial problems, addictions, physical, emotional, spiritual, mental or other areas.

There is an e-prayer chain that sends praise reports and prayer requests to many prayer warriors who pray for each prayer request, holding them in strict confidentiality.

Prayer quilt squares are lovingly and prayerfully made, and we send them out to first-time church visitors as well as giving them at the services of prayer and healing and to the sick, bereaved and distressed.  They are a statement of faith in God and a testament to our belief in the powers of prayer.

We meet for group prayer and a business meeting most months.  All activities are publicized in the worship guides, the newsletter and the web-site, and you are cordially invited to join us.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you."  Jeremiah 29:11-12

"Is any one of you in trouble?  He should pray.  Is anyone happy?  Let him sing songs of praise.  Is any one of you sick?  He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.  If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."  James 5:13-6