
Prayer Ministries
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -- Philippians 4:4-7 (NRSV)
At Bethany Presbyterian Church we believe prayer is central to our participation in God's work and purposes. We seek for prayer to undergird every gathering we hold, decision we make, and activity we undertake. Through God's gift of prayer, we share in the Spirit's work of deepening our intimacy with God and others, changing hearts and lives, bearing the hurts and burdens of our community and world, restraining evil, and empowering all that is good. In these ways, God's love and light nourish us and shine through us into the lives of others.
Bethany offers many resources to enhance your personal prayer life and ways you can join with others in prayer. In addition to the opportunities described here, our church thrives through individuals’ prayers, and prayer in home groups, Bible studies, youth groups, and gatherings of women and men for prayer.
If you’d like to learn more, and engage in one of these corporate prayer ministries, links for further information and contact persons are listed below.
HOW TO SHARE PRAYER REQUESTS
For prayer requests, you have several options to share with the broader Bethany community:
- Prayer Request Cards - In the pew back in the sanctuary are Prayer Cards on which you can write prayer requests and either place them in the offering plate or give them to the ushers. These can be submitted anonymously or with your name. They will be distributed to the Prayer Ministries Intercessory Prayer Chain, which keeps prayer requests confidential. Submit your requests click here .
- On Sundays during worship: In addition to submitting prayers on written Prayer Cards, there are three additional ways to pray and request prayer during Sunday worship services: a. Submit an online prayer request on the Virtual Prayer Wall Click here: Virtual Prayer Wall These will be prayed for by the prayer leader during the time for intercessory prayer in the worship service. b. Spoken prayer during worship services. During the time for prayer, if you would like to voice your prayer, raise your hand and an usher will give you a microphone so that you can briefly pray and the entire congregation can join with you. c. Individual prayer during communion or at the end of services; prayer leaders are standing at the front of the sanctuary by the lectern and pulpit to join you in individual prayer. If you would like to become one of these prayer partners and occasionally be available to pray for others in the worship services, contact our Prayer Elder, Kerry Dearborn
- The Prayer Ministries Intercessory Prayer Chain - A group of Bethany members pray for individual prayer requests submitted by the congregation and friends. All prayer requests are kept confidential. To submit a request, click here . If you would like to join the prayer chain, contact Prayer Elder Kerry Dearborn
- Dedicated Prayer for Bethany Team - A group of Bethany members pray weekly for our church staff, ministries, concerns, and ministry partners. Members of this dedicated prayer team receive weekly emails to guide their prayers, and they meet together in person quarterly to pray during the second service at Bethany Pres. If you would like to join the Dedicated Prayer Team, contact our Prayer Elder Kerry Dearborn
PRAYER GATHERINGS YOU CAN JOIN
In addition to the resources for prayer described above, Bethany has several groups that are dedicated to prayer. These always welcome new participants.
Prayer between services for current issues locally, nationally and globally - A small group gathers regularly between services for 20 minutes of focused prayer for our city, nation, and world. If you are interested in joining this group, contact Catherine Purdy.
Men's Prayer Group - Men are invited to join a new group meeting in person on the 2nd Thursday evening of every month (from 7 to 8:30 pm), to pray for individual concerns, the staff and ministries of Bethany, needs in our city and around the world. Participants commit to regular participation (to the extent possible) and to confidentiality. If you are interested, contact Tim Dearborn
Wednesday Night Dinner Prayer - (5 p.m. Wednesdays) Join via Zoom for a focused time of intercession for needs surrounding our Wednesday night dinner community. Contact Tom Oines.
Prayer for Bethany Outreach Partners - (quarterly) These gatherings include a potluck dinner and prayer for either Bethany’s local or global outreach partners. Contact Marisa Gronholz.
China Prayer Team - (quarterly) Since 2012 this group has gathered to pray for China, the Chinese church, organizations and individuals serving in China, and organizations working with Chinese students in the US. Contact Julia Sensenbrenner.
Urban Impact's Half hour of Power - (Fridays, 1:30-2:00 pm). Join via Zoom for 30 minutes of prayer focused on issues of racial justice and healing in our city, nation, and world, led by Urban Impact, a major ministry partner of Bethany.
OUTREACH-RELATED PRAYER
Wednesday Night Dinner Prayer (5pm on Wednesdays) - Several Bethanyites faithfully pray for the WND program each Wednesday evening via Zoom. Contact: Tom Oines.
PACT Teams (members coming alongside outreach partners) - The “P” in PACT Teams stands for prayer and is the central grounding element in the groups that surround each of our ministry partners. If you are interested in joining a PACT team for one of our ministry partners, contact: Marisa Gronholz.
China Prayer Team (quarterly on Sundays) - This group began in 2012 to pray for two Bethany members serving in Hong Kong. The focus has expanded to pray for China, the Chinese Church, and other organizations working in China or with Chinese students in the US. Contact: Julia Sensenbrenner.
PRAYER RESOURCES
- Books- Browse the Prayer section of the Bethany library that features a number of classic and contemporary books for deepening our prayer life and addressing questions pertaining to prayer.
- Devotionals- Each Advent and Lent, Bethany offers devotionals for individuals, families, and small groups that can focus our engagement in prayer.
- Websites- Many Bethany members benefit from the prayer aids offered on sites such as
Pray as You Go and Lectio 360