Madison FUMC Intercessory Prayer Ministry
Intercessory Prayer Ministry
Just the Right Prayer at Just the Right Time
Ministry Mission Statement
To bring to God, through Jesus Christ, the concerns of our congregation, our city, our community and the world by the prayers of individuals and groups.
The First United Methodist Church of Madison is a praying church. A ministry which began with 37 volunteers in 1998 has grown to 90 volunteers in 2005. Interestingly, in this day of “profiling”, we cannot profile these prayer warriors. They are both men and women. Most pray alone. Some pray as couples. One couple brings their eleven year old daughter. One mother and daughter pray together. The volunteers range in age from eleven to ninety-two. Some are retired. Many are employed. During a typical week, these volunteers write approximately 100 cards and letters to persons who need comfort, consolation, and support. Not everyone writes notes. Everyone does go to one of the two prayer rooms to pray for one hour every week for a sixteen-week session. The list of prayer concerns is updated each week.
The ministry has realized some awesome answers to prayer – some miraculous healings of body and spirit. God doesn’t always answer prayers in visible, altogether understandable ways. Intercessory prayer is, however, a powerful resource. In spite of prayers that appear to be unanswered, intercessory prayer does work! It is the greatest gift we can give to another person. As one volunteer said, “We’re standing in the gap for others when they either cannot pray or desperately need our prayers.”
Intercessory prayer is a “two-way street”. It sustains the volunteer as well as the recipient. “Pray for one another so that you may be healed... Effective prayer... can accomplish much.” James 5:16
"To believe that our praying makes a difference, and to pray even when it seems that we cannot act, is to link ourselves with Christ in His ongoing intercession, since “He always lives to make intercession for us.” Hebrews 7:25
The Intercessory Prayer Ministry is open to anyone who can commit an hour a week to praying for others. We welcome anyone who would like to become a volunteer. For more information, contact Nancy or Jack Miles – 342-4858.
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