Prayer After Services Ministry

 

Organised prayer ministry is offered on the 2nd Sunday of every month (excluding summer months) to any person who would like to receive prayer.

Prayer Ministry can be defined as when someone (or usually two people) prays for another, at their request, to minister Jesus (His presence, His word, His healing and His love) to that person.

It is always God who ministers through us in the name of Jesus, directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We have nothing to offer people except Jesus. The ministry is always Jesus’ ministry, not ours.

Please read the Waringstown Presbyterian Church guidelines below to find out more about this ministry.

Waringstown Presbyterian Church

Prayer Ministry after Church Services

Guidelines, Principles & Practice

Why Pray? 

Biblical Mandate:

We follow Christ’s example, both when on earth where he prayed constantly for his people and also today, where he is at the right hand of God continually interceding for us.

1 Timothy 2:1

‘First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people’

James 5:13-16

‘Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.’

This document seeks to set out some guidelines on principles and practice for Prayer Ministry after Church services, so that everyone in the church, including those coming forward for prayer, as well as the members of the Prayer Ministry Team can be clear about:

  • What this Ministry is (and what it is not)
  • Who it is for
  • When and where will this take place
  • What is required of those who are Prayer Team members

What is Prayer?

The Shorter Catechism teaches us that prayer is offering our desires to God for things that agree with His will, in the name of Christ. It includes confessing our sins and thanking Him for all His mercies’.

What is this particular Prayer Ministry at WPC?

  1. This is a Ministry under the direction of the Kirk Session of Waringstown Presbyterian Church (WPC).
  2. We are taught in the bible to pray continuously and we can pray for each other at any time, however this ministry is being set up specifically to allow people to come forward for prayer after Church Services.
  3. It is always God who ministers through the team, in the name of Jesus, directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is His ministry, not ours. We have nothing to offer people except Jesus. The aim of this Prayer Ministry is to create a space to allow people to come forward and ask for God’s help. We ask that God might hear the petitions made and that the person might receive His blessing and peace in their situation.
  4. The person (or persons) coming forward for prayer will be welcomed by a member of the prayer team and will be introduced to two other team members who will pray for whatever person or situation that is requested. We seek to pray in pairs (male/female), however prayer from a single team member can be requested. At least two people will be present in the vicinity at any one time. Church safeguarding procedures will be followed at all times.
  5. In terms of confidentiality, wise discretion will be maintained at all times. Of course, if any criminal matter is brought forward we are legally obliged to pass this on.

What is it not?

This is not general intercessory prayer at a distance. This is a personal, specific, face-to-face direct prayer.

It is not counselling. The team members are not trained counsellors and they are not there to give advice. They are there to offer prayer ministry only. They can signpost to other services, counselling, pastoral support etc, as deemed appropriate. Those seeking prayer can come back for further prayer, as required.

Who is it for?

Everyone can benefit from and avail of prayer ministry, so we want to encourage and give everyone attending the WPC Sunday services the opportunity to receive prayer ministry. Anyone under 18 coming forward must bring a parent or a responsible adult with them.

When and Where will this prayer take place?

When: We offer this prayer after both morning services and after evening Service on:

  • 2nd Sunday in the month
  • Does not take place in Summer months

Where: Prayer after services takes place at the back of the Craig Hall and/or in the small prayer room near the back of the Craig Hall (room adjacent to toilets).

What is required of those who are Prayer Team members?

To be a member of the WPC Prayer Ministry Team, each person:

  1. Must be a Christian.
  2. Must be a communicant member of the church.
  3. Must be approved by, and subject to the authority of, Kirk Session.
  4. Must have received appropriate training approved by Session.
  5. Must commit to play their full part in the team, including taking part on the rota and attending team prayer meetings.

In addition the Team members should have the following desirable personal characteristics:

  1. Be discerning and discrete.
  2. Be excellent listeners.
  3. Be loving, caring, sensitive and compassionate for the needs of others.