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:

1. 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 .
2. 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 
3. 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
4. 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