What is
a “Prayer List”?
Often when
people pray they create a list of the people, organizations, and events
for which they want to pray to ensure that no one and nothing is
missed. People sometimes share their lists with others. In a community
your concern is my concern and my concern is your concern. Prayer lists
can be used for both urgent requests and ongoing events. Family members
and friends become a permanent part of our prayer lists even if there it
not an event currently happening to warrant an immediate prayer. God
wants to hear from us about our friends and family members when things
are going well.
Our rector
Brian, created such a prayer list. He broke down the parish into thirty
parts, one for each day of the month. He prays for every member of the
congregation every month. He shared his prayer list with the parish
prayer group. Members of the group have reported that they feel a new
connection with their fellow parishioners since using this list on a
daily basis.
Starting in
September a prayer list will be included with the Courier. Preparation
is starting this month. No one is expected or required to be on a
prayer list. We are looking for your permission to be included. The
parish will be broken down so that some families will be prayed for each
day; we will pray through the congregation two or three times a year.
Parish
groups will also be included in a prayer circle. We will remember our
Anglican brothers and sisters in our deanery and across the diocese, as
well as the other faith parishes in our community.
We also
hope to include birthdays and anniversaries. Birthdays can be exciting
or lonely times. It is important to remember our friends on such days
which are special. We are looking for the date only, not the year.
Anniversaries are important as well. Unfortunately long-lasting
marriages are rare. Each year that passes for a marriage should be
celebrated and remembered with a prayer of thanksgiving. For this
reason, giving the year for anniversaries is optional.
We will
start calling households toward the end of May. You could be included
in any or some of the regular prayer list, birthdays or anniversaries.
We will respect your wishes.
