From an article in: Pray Magazine March/April 2008 by, David Bachoroski
Entitled: How Can I Pray For You
There are times immediately following the sermon, that our pastor calls for an altar call. During that time an assigned deacon will pray for the congregation and for individuals that have made their way to the altar to seek God for special request and petitions. It is also at this time that members are invited to pray with the associate ministers who are in the pulpit.
Many people who seek me out for prayer do so with a definite request and need in mind. Others ask or implore me to pray some vague general prayer over them perhaps because they do not really know what to ask for, or how to pray for themselves. Often there are time constraints, issues of privacy, and anonymity that keep people from feeling comfortable enough to expose themselves to a waiting congregation who after the prayer, is anxious for the pastor to give the benediction, so they can go home.
One church leader along with their pastor came up with an alternate to altar calls. This idea was a way for people to express their need for prayer without any constraints. This idea consisted of using a: "How Can I Pray For You"? Button.
The concept is simple. Trained prayer team members wear the button at church. When someone desires prayer, he or she simply looks for someone wearing the button and asks for prayer. Team members include youth workers, pastors, ministers and laypeople. Even grade-school children wore the buttons to Sunday school.
The church provided the prayer team with training. They wanted to make sure that they know what types of problems might need professional help and where to refer people if that is what they need. They also taught them to be sensitive to each person asking for prayer. Some people wanted prayer on the spot; others wanted to go to the more private prayer room. Some wanted them to pray with them later while others wanted them to share their request with the Wednesday-night prayer team.
Twice a year the program is evaluated to see what is working and what needs improvement. One of the unexpected side effects was that members of the team wore their buttons to the super-market, sporting events and even on walks. God used the button as a means to reach out to people who might never have the chance to ask someone to pray for them. The author says that: "I had one woman chase me down in a store to ask for prayer. Often store clerks ask for prayer. Sometimes people will start a conversation, and pretty soon you recognize that they would like prayer. David says that," I always ask first and have not had one person tell me no."
This is a great idea and one that I will pursue at my local church. To obtain, "How can I Pray for you"? Buttons go to: www.1freechurch.org/praybutton.doc. Buttons are available for $1: and the proceeds to go the youth group that oversees the making and mailing of the buttons.
Thanks for coming back to this page, and as always:
Don’t Forget To Say Your Prayers!
