Prayer

As a church, we are committed to prayer. We know prayer is an integral part of the Kingdom. Our prayer life takes many forms and continues to grow and develop.

Intercessory Prayer

All our Services include intercessory prayer and we are continually exploring new ways of praying. Although our intercessions are often led from the front by a variety of people, sometimes we break the mould and use different models. Recently we have used sung worship to aid spoken prayers. Sometimes we use silence for reflection or symbolism in more ritualistic prayer. We also have a ‘Prayer Book’ at all three communities, so that people with prayer needs joining us for worship can write their prayer request(s) as they enter the building and these are included in our intercessions during the Service. We are also committed to praying for the nation and global issues. To help keep us informed we have monthly prayer material available from Care International and Tear Fund to focus on national and global issues for prayer.

Epray

We make use of emails to circulate immediate prayer requests around the fellowship and encouraging those with emails to pass these requests on to others who don’t have the facilities, either through Small Group connections or individual contacts. We also use this facility to update everyone with feedback. This enables a quick response to requests and ensures as many people as possible are ‘in the loop’ and engaged with these prayers.

Prayer Ministry Team

We have a fully trained and authorised Prayer Ministry Team. As we gather at the end of the

Services for achat and a cup of tea or coffee, prayer is also available. Anyone can come for prayer for themselves or on behalf of someone else. We ‘minister’ in pairs and each week we have a co-ordinator through whom all requests for prayer ministry are arranged.

Prayer Knights

Our commitment to prayer is also reflected in our monthly ‘Prayer Knights’, where we gather midweek in the Parish Church for a couple of hours in the evening. These evenings are planned and led by various members of our church including our YCM.

Each month has a different feel and focus, but increasingly God is gracing us with His presence as we meet. We pray into a whole range of issues with our church locally, nationally and internationally. We do so knowing our prayers will make a difference in each of the situations we focus on. Although these evenings are planned, they are also led by the Holy Spirit. We explore many methods of praying and encountering God, including worship, meditation, reflection and symbolism. We often use sensory prayer zones as part of our evening. What does that mean? – why not come and find out.