St. John's Prayer Ministries
Karen Mattioli,
Coordinator of Prayer Ministries
I'd like prayers for ....
Whom should I ask?
There is only one limit to what prayer can do and that is what God can do.
Lynn Griffin
St John's has the following ongoing prayer ministries:
- Prayer Chain
- Intercessory Prayer Group
- Prayers of the People
- Laying On of Hands
- Healing Service
- Prayer Counseling
- and during the year, special prayer events
Prayer Chain
If you would like prayer for an urgent need or crisis (e.g., surgery, someone dying, job interview, etc), for yourself or others, please advise the Prayer Chain. The twenty-or-so people on the prayer chain will offer prayers daily for two weeks. If further prayer is needed please advise the Intercessory Prayer Group.
If you have a special prayer request, simply call the church at 613-232-4500 and ask for the Prayer Chain line (extension 21). Then leave a message. Your request will then be transmitted in full confidentiality to the Prayer Chain members who will offer prayers as requested.
Intercessory Prayer Group
If you or someone you know has a need (such as sickness, reconciliation, employment, peace, family struggle, etc. etc.) and you would like ongoing prayer, please advise the Intercessory Prayer Group. This ecumenical group welcomes feedback so that they may return thanks to God.
Prayers of the People
If you would like to have prayers (thanksgiving, sickness, need, etc.) to be included in our corporate worship (Holy Eucharist on Sundays at 8:00 am. and 10:15 a.m., and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.), please advise the parish office. Please be sure to advise us when prayers are no longer needed.Mondays to Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.,
or leave a message after hours at 232-4500.
Laying On of Hands
If you would like accompaniment in prayer and laying on of hands, please go to the prayer desk in the chapel during communion at the 10:15 a.m. Sunday service.Prayers for Healing
If you would like prayers for healing and/or anointing with oil, there is a celebration of the Eucharist including special prayers for healing in the chapel on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
Prayers for Parishioners
Throughout the year, at the weekly Wednesday staff meeting, church staff pray for specific individual parishioners.
Other Prayer Ministries
Prayer Walk. A group of people walk in the locality of St John's silently praying love and blessings for the community.
Days of Renewal. During the year, special prayer events are held, such as (in 1999):
- New Years Day of Prayer: Showers of Blessings
- Lenten Quiet Day / Meditation
- Day of Prayer before Easter:
Confession, Repentance and Absolution - Outdoor Event: Summer Blessings
- Special Service: Stir Up the Gifts
- Worldwide: Prayer Countdown to the Millennium
Note:
When asking for prayers you may give simply a first name
(and initial to help the prayers!) or the full name.
| A Morning Prayer Give us, Lord, a bit o' sun A bite' work and a bit o' fun Give us all in th' struggle and splutter Our daily bread and a bit o' butter. Give us health, our keep to make, An' a bit to spare for poor folks' sake, Give us sense, for we are some of us duffers, An' a heart to feel for all that suffers. Source unknown An Anytime Prayer O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may we know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly; for thine own sake. [Richard of Chichester, 1197-1253] A Night-time Prayer Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ, give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. [Book of Common Prayer (ECUSA) 1979] |
Prayers Matter!
The Prayers of the People
A note about the Prayers of the People. Have you ever noticed what a long list of names are on our parish prayer list? At first glance, it seems like our parish has a lot of people with problems and illness. In reality, the length of the prayer list shows that this is a parish where prayer matters! Throughout the week, people drop by the church office asking for prayer for particular problems or illness. The clergy and staff are frequently in contact with people in significant need of prayer, and their names are added to the list. Each week, the parish prayer list is reviewed and updated.
Not every parishioner will know every person named on the parish prayer list. Some people ask for our prayers, but want to be known only by their first names. By saying their names aloud during the Prayers of the People, we hold these people in our hearts, and collectively lift their needs to God. The list is long because we believe in the power of prayer, and thus the time it takes to hear each name is time spent at the heart of God.
An Invitation
If you would like to know more about these prayer ministries and/or to be part of them please speak with:
our Curate: The Reverend Naomi Kabugi.
www.stjohnsottawa.ca
Last Updated: 23 February 2010
For more information contact:
David Bewley, the Webspinner for this site.