Prayer Ministries

Do not worry 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 4:6-7 (NRSV)


Prayer is integral to our church, undergirding every gathering we hold, decision we make, and activity we undertake. Bethany Presbyterian Church believes in the power of prayer to change our hearts, develop intimacy with God and others, listen and discern. As we reach out through prayer to share our hearts with the Lord, we also deepen our connection and come to understand more of the Lord's heart for us. While the groups listed below welcome new members and offer more formal times for prayer, this isn’t the full extent of prayer at our church. Bethanyites are involved in prayer individually and when we meet in our homegroups, Bible studies, women’s or men’s groups, etc. In fact, almost every time congregants gather, prayer happens.

PRAYER REQUESTS

For prayer requests, you have several options to share with the broader Bethany community:

  1. On Sundays during worship: To continue Bethany’s pandemic engagement with prayer “The Virtual Prayer Wall” (which is a chat page), allows viewers at home and in person at Sunday services to submit prayer requests. Requests may be added at anytime during the week or during services to be included in congregational prayer during the service. Submit your requests here: https://www.bethanypc.org/prayer-requests/.
  2. On Sundays in person during worship: On Communion Sundays, a person is available to pray with individuals immediately after they receive Communion. On non-Communion Sundays, individuals have the opportunity to pray out loud during the service. We are now passing a mic around to ensure those listening online can hear the requests as well.
  3. The Prayer Ministries prayer chain: A group of Bethany members pray for individual prayer requests submitted by the congregation and friends. Send your requests to Prayer Elder Julia Sensenbrenner. All prayer requests are kept confidential.

    PRAYER-FOCUSED GROUPS (all are open to new participants)

    Centering Prayer (Alternate Fridays at 9am via Zoom) - This group formed after Kelly Langford taught about Centering Prayer for an ACE class. Newcomers are welcome and Kelly will provide training.  To join, contact:  Kelly Langford.

    Prayer Ministries (also known as the prayer chain - This is an email list of Bethanyites who are committed to pray for any individual prayer requests. Julia Sensenbrenner manages this group, posting congregants’ prayer requests that come through Sylvia Lidell, pastors and staff. To join this team, contact:  Julia Sensenbrenner.

    Pray-ers In Worship - This group includes members who are willing to pray for others during or after services. Currently, volunteers pray individually with Bethany members or visitors during communion or after the service. If you would like to volunteer, contact:  Julia Sensenbrenner. 

    Dedicated Prayer - This group receives weekly prayer request sheets to pray intensely for the broader needs of The Church. We also meet quarterly in person to riase our voices in prayer together. If interested, contact: Julia Sensenbrenner. 

    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.

    Outreach Partner Prayer Time (quarterly) - This prayer time is a way to connect over Zoom with Bethany’s outreach partners and pray for them.  Contact:  Marisa Gronholz.

    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.

    Honduras Prayer Team (occasional Sundays) - This group is comprised of members who have visited the Nuevo Amanecer community in Honduras with a Bethany mission team. They pray for Nuevo Amanecer, Honduras, and former staff and villagers.  Contact:  Frank Holman.

    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.

    INVITED PRAYER TIMES BEYOND BETHANY

    Urban Impact’s Half Hour of Power (Fridays 1-1:30pm) - Pastors Steve Bury and Harvey Drake lead a time of weekly community prayer focusing on justice and healing in our city, nation, and world. Urban Impact has invited churches and organizations in its sphere to be part of the group, and 3-5 Bethanyites usually attend. Join us on Zoom (recurring link) here.