2 minute read
The Prayer Line Ministry: A Blessing to All
Some of us have busy schedules that don’t allow much time for direct involvement in church ministry. Or, for some of us, leaving our homes isn’t a possibility, so volunteering at church is tough. But every single one of us has time and space to pray. So, the Prayer Line Ministry is available and accessible to all!
Dee Harrison took over this ministry about a year and a half ago, after her sister, Kathy Waltrip, passed away. The Prayer Line has been a ministry for as long as Dee can remember.
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This is a simple, but profound and important ministry. When someone is in need of prayers, they call Dee. She has a list of about 10 people she calls, and they, in turn, call the next person on the list. Each person has one name to call. Marie Anderson also hangs the names on the doors of the parish, to get even more people praying.
“This helps increase the reach and spread of our prayers,” Dee says.
As Christians, we truly believe in the power of prayer. So, it’s only fitting to have an entire ministry devoted to praying for healing, from car accident injuries, to cancer or COVID-19. All of our parishes fall under this ministry. In addition, those being prayed for do not need to be members of our parishes or Catholic.
“A lot of people who have been on the Prayer Line have said they believe all the prayers helped with their healing,” Dee says. “Some have reached out to share what a blessing this was for them.”
The beauty of this ministry is many members keep praying for the person, long into the future.
“If someone calls a second time to be in the Prayer Line, I always tell them they don’t have to — once a name is in the list we pray for the person forever.” Dee says. “But, we will, of course, spread the word again.”
Dee wants everyone to know a person can chose to remain anonymous on the Prayer Line — for instance, if they don’t want people to know they are sick.
“We all need prayers,” Dee says. “This is one way to take a weight off people’s shoulders when they need to focus on healing.”
Sometimes, it can be hard to ask for prayers when they are needed, while some may simply be unsure of how to ask. The Prayer Line is an easy way to spread the power of prayer throughout our parish and community — as Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Dee notes that some Prayer Line members will communicate and pray a Rosary at the same time from their homes. So, this ministry is ideal for
someone who is too busy to get involved at church or is not able to leave their home.
“This is just something simple and something people can do to stay involved with the parish,” Dee says. “That’s what stewardship is all about.”
We can always be assured that the prayers of the Prayer Line Ministry are being heard!
