FRESH IDEAS

FRESH IDEAS FOR…
INVIGORATING PRAYER

Several ecclesias have taken steps to invigorate prayer in the lives of their members, with the aim of bringing glory to God and blessings to the ecclesia. The following examples are presented as efforts that have been found fruitful in a variety of ways. If your ecclesia decides to try something similar, or if you have other prayer-related initiatives in place that you would like to share, we would love to hear from you at riseupandbuild@wcfoundation.org.

Prayer Meetings

Richmond Chapel, Virginia - The Chapel hosts a monthly online prayer meeting via Zoom where members gather to focus on the prayer needs of the community. The meetings follow an organized structure that includes reading of the Lord’s Prayer, a hymn from WCF’s online catalog, scripture readings, and of course, prayer. A volunteer coordinates the meeting each month, selecting the hymn, and reaching out to brothers to request that they lead prayer on set themes, and to sisters to ask that they read specific passages of scripture. While not essential to the meeting, a volunteer also prepares a short presentation of slides that feature beautiful images from nature or of biblical themes that is displayed as the prayer meeting is conducted.

Meetings are planned to last for about 30 minutes. Afterwards, those who attend often stay a few extra minutes online to visit with one another. In addition to uniting attendees in prayer, the meetings are also a great way to involve individuals who do not attend meeting in-person regularly, with an invitation to lead prayer or to read scripture. An innovation has been to involve children by having them read selected portions of scripture. Finally, the Chapel has recently added an invitation to all members to join together in fasting for the ecclesia’s prayer needs on the day of the online prayer meeting. (Information contributed by Sis. Lisa Kapusta.) 

Prayer Newsletters

• Chesterland, Ohio - The Abrahamic Faith ecclesia in Chesterland, Ohio, distributes a weekly Prayer & Praise Report via email. The report is largely compiled on Sundays when members gather after Sunday School classes and offer up the names of friends, family members, co-workers and others they know who would benefit from prayer, or who have experienced something particularly worthy of praise. The compiled list is read aloud at the beginning of the worship service that follows, then put into email form and sent out early in the week to an extended distribution list. Recipients are encouraged to read over the list and incorporate those named in their daily prayers. (Information contributed by Bro. Scott Tennant.)

• Richmond Chapel, Virginia - For the past two years the Richmond Christadelphian Chapel has published a weekly prayer e-newsletter called “One Accord.” Using a simple online publishing tool known as Smore, the prayer team can distribute the weekly list of prayer concerns to the entire ecclesia, and also include beautiful graphics and scripture verses to help uplift and encourage. While the prayer needs are updated weekly, the graphics and scripture verses in the newsletter are refreshed monthly to help keep the endeavor at a manageable workload for those who handle the newsletter's production. The monthly refresh also features a “Resource of the Month,” a segment of the newsletter which highlights an exhortation, article, or other resource intended to strengthen the ecclesia in its prayer and faith journey. 

The team that manages the newsletter has a few tips for anyone who might be considering launching a similar effort for their ecclesia. First, it can be a challenge, but keeping the newsletter and accompanying scripture passages relatively brief helps in our age of busyness and short attention spans. Second, the team works diligently to ensure that those in the local ecclesia named on the prayer list approve of their name being listed, as some ecclesia members may prefer to keep their health or other concerns private. Third, it was necessary to divide the prayer list into short and long-term prayer needs, as some individuals on the prayer list are facing protracted health challenges. Lastly, the names of those listed in the long-term health concerns section are rotated weekly so that no one stays at the bottom of the prayer list. (Information contributed by Sis. Lisa Kapusta.)

Prayer Challenges

Richmond Chapel, Virginia - The Chapel has launched two six-month prayer challenges. The first ran from July through December 2024 and was inspired by an article by Bro. Robert Prins. In his article, Bro. Prins discussed how when he and his wife Sharon were faced with an aging, shrinking, and sluggish ecclesia, they and their children committed to pray for their ecclesia every day for six months. He explained that initially, “There was no bolt of lightning or tongues of fire to answer our prayer,” but that within three months they began to see a change in attitude at their ecclesia. When they didn’t receive further signs of change, they extended their commitment to pray for the ecclesia every day for another six months, and according to Bro. Prins, that’s when the miracles began.

In the case of the Chapel, discernable blessings also began to flow within three to six months, with the return of some to our weekly fellowship, as well as the arrival of new families. And then our cup of blessings began to overflow with three baptisms which occurred within the six months following our first prayer challenge. Members are overjoyed at these and other blessings which coincided with the prayer challenge. 

To help refresh our motivation to pray daily for the ecclesia, in July 2024, the Chapel launched a modified version of the six-month prayer challenge. Instead of praying for the ecclesia broadly, we are focusing our prayers on the spiritual growth and salvation of our young people. The Chapel is currently blessed with many children, ranging from toddlers to teenagers. Our new six-month prayer challenge calls on the ecclesia to pray each day for the young lives that God has entrusted to our spiritual stewardship that each and every one find faith and entry into the Kingdom of God. To assist members in these calls to daily prayer, prayer cards listing several prayer topics were prepared and distributed for both prayer challenges. The prayer cards were adapted from an example provided by Bro. Prins. (Information contributed by Sis. Lisa Kapusta.)

WCF Prayer Page

If you haven’t seen it yet, check out WCF’s Prayer Project: https://www.wcfoundation.org/the-prayer-project 

This page contains a collection of recorded prayers from Scripture, with accompanying visual material playing while the prayer is read by a brother or sister. Also included are texts of prayers on various subjects, including prayers for mothers, prayers for peace, and prayers for comfort. This material can serve as a starting point when you have the desire to pray but don’t quite know where to begin.

Prayer Walk

The Toronto North ecclesia piloted the Prayer Walk as a Rise Up and Build initiative.  The ecclesial members walked through their local ecclesial neighborhood, offering a brief silent prayer at each home, and then left a door hanger indicating a prayer had been offered on  the homeowner’s behalf together with the ecclesial contact information including an email address. Customized door hangers are available from WCF (https://www.wcfoundation.org/quarterly-initiative). Although the response from the neighbors was muted, the prayer walkers benefited greatly from the experience. It helped the participants to be mindful of the importance of sharing the Gospel, to be sensitive to the diverse needs of the community, and to look forward to that day when the Lord Jesus will set things right. (Information contributed by Bro. Alan Ghent.)

Faith Group Prayer Activity: “Through Prayer In the Scriptures” 

A group of sisters recently completed a prayer study. One participant reported that she found it helpful in creating a supportive environment where members could express their thoughts, struggles, and prayers through the lens of Scripture. For her, this led to a stronger and more powerful prayer life and closer, more intimate relationships with fellow believers.

At the first meeting, the prayer group selected a prayer from Scripture to read together and then reflect on the prayer’s topic and themes. The group members could share personal connections with the prayer from their own lives. Following this discussion and using the selected prayer as a template, each member wrote their own prayer during the following week. Group members were encouraged to share personal struggles and challenges, as well as prayers for family, friends, or broader community issues, including pleas for God’s kingdom to come. 

At the next meeting, members were invited to share their written prayers aloud if they wished to. Prayer groups are successful when a welcoming and respectful environment is created and where all voices can be heard. These meetings are a space for authenticity and each person’s experience is valid. The outcome of this type of sharing will foster intimacy in our relationships and strengthen our bonds in Christ through prayer. (Information contributed by Sis. Karan Drahn.)

Suggestion: Seniors’ Personal Prayer Ministry

As our community ages, many of the ecclesial activities that were once enjoyed, are no longer possible because of infirmity and changing circumstances. Many may wonder how they can contribute meaningfully when they are not as able as they once were physically. Prayer is accessible to everyone! As long as our faculties remain, we can always pray for those in our ecclesia, those in retirement homes, and those in need wherever they may be. We can pray for Christ’s soon return. We can pray that we will be accounted worthy. We may be confined to a bed, but that doesn’t hamper our petitions reaching the throne room of heaven. And in serving the needs of others through prayer today, we prepare ourselves for a life of immortal service to our King when he comes again.

Books on Prayer

A selection of Christadelphian titles on prayer,with links for purchase (or free download where available).

Lord, Teach Us to Pray ($11.99) 61 pages by various authors
Also available as a free download 

The Path of Prayer ($14.74) 152 pages by John Morris
Also available as an e-book (£4.00).

Prayer: Studies in Principle and Practice – E-Book  (£4.00) by Melva Purkis and Cyril Tennant

The Pattern Prayer - E-Book (£3.00) by L.G. Sargeant

Making Prayer Powerful ($18.50) 125 pages by H.P. Mansfield
Also available as a free download.

Prayer Workbook : Thoughts on Prayer (Free PDF download) 38 pgs. by Julie Snobelin

Hour of Prayer ($3.00) 70 pages by Charles Mason

How to Pray - Booklet (£0.40 for paper copy) or free online

Prayers for Young Children($10:50) 32 pages by Hannah Carter, Laura Parkin, and Jo Cave

Prayer Journals and Worksheets/Templates/Guides

Prayer journals from Christadelphian sources.

CMPA Prayer Journal ($13.50), 147 pages.  Link to this for a review of the publication.

Pray without Ceasing - A Journal ($8.00), 76 pages by Martha Monahan.  The first 50 pages are helpful studies in prayer and in our prayer life. The rest of the book is space for a prayer journal.

Prayer Worksheets (Free) 16 pages by Julie Snobelen
Downloadable prayer worksheets with templates for guidance on petition, thanksgiving, confession and praise.  This is a companion piece to the workbook  listed above.

Simple 2-page template for prayer  (Free download)

Guidance on Keeping a Prayer Journal Web page of reflections on how to practically implement a prayer journal practice.

How to Find Time for Personal Prayer Web page of a believer’s personal reflections on prayer and how it has been developed in her life.

There is a large selection of prayer journals from commercial publishers offered at Bible bookstores and online suppliers. Examples can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/Journals-other-publishers These are not from Christadelphian sources and may need to be vetted for content.

Pray without Ceasing - A Journal ($8.00), 76 pages by Martha Monahan.  The first 50 pages are helpful studies in prayer and in our prayer life. The rest of the book is space for a prayer journal.

CMPA Prayer Journal ($13.50), 147 pages.  Link to this for a review of the publication.

Prayer Worksheets (Free) 16 pages by Julie Snobelen
Downloadable prayer worksheets with templates for guidance on petition, thanksgiving, confession and praise.  This is a companion piece to the workbook  listed above.