Prayer Resources
Resources to Develop a Praying Congregation!
For Jesus, daily prayer was as essential as breathing. Prayer enabled him to discern God’s will for his life and find comfort and support to overcome the spiritual apathy, hypocrisy and injustice of his day.
As the resurrected and living Christ, Jesus promised he will be with us in our own daily struggles. The Spirit he placed in our hearts calls us to turn to God in prayer, and find comfort and support, rest and peace.
As Lord and Savior, Jesus calls us to come before our loving and just God, in and through prayer, so we might be empowered for loving service to a hurting and broken world.
- “First Cup” readings include a prayer list for your daily use!
- ONE Ministries – San Antonio-based prayer ministry
Prayer Across FPC
Help expand this partial list by making prayer an everyday part of your life of faith. In doing so, individually and together we become more oriented to put “service above self” and find the true joy that comes from loving Christ, loving one another, and loving the City!
- Wherever you are, God is always open to our prayers! It’s as easy as “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…”
- Prior to worship: pray for the ministers and congregation that God’s word of truth be proclaimed with boldness and clarity, and be received and acted upon with both faith and service!
- During worship: take the time to pray for self and others!
- After worship: dedicated individuals are available to pray for and with you after each service!
- Monthly services for Healing and Wholeness are open to all!
- A special prayer service is held each Sunday from 8:30 to 9:00 am in Room 228 (The Bride’s Room).
- Prayer is an integral part of Session, Diaconate and Stephens Ministry activities, as it is for the various dedicated prayer teams already formed!
- Prayer enriches staff and committee meetings, Women of the Church events and activities, Sunday School classes, weekday Bible studies, small groups, choir rehearsals, men’s prayer breakfasts, Shawl Ministry, and more. Each group is encouraged to open and close with prayer, and to rely on prayer in discerning decisions and growing closer to Christ and to each other as a community of faith and hope, love and service!
- Prayer is bedrock to staff and congregational retreats, and to family gatherings of all types and situations. These offer great opportunities to grow in faith and service through prayer!
- Mission outreach activities, local and global in nature, depend on prayer for success in meeting the physical and spiritual needs of those being served!
- Prayer is always appropriate whenever major life decisions are being considered, whether they deal with personal and family life, employment issues, financial choices, health concerns and the list goes on. In all these situations, prayer is appropriate, beneficial, and always helpful!
Healing and Wholeness Prayer (3rd Sundays)
The Prayer Ministry and pastoral staff include a time for Healing prayer at the end of services on the third Sunday of each month. This time include is offered to bring intercessory prayer for yourself, others and groups for whom you are concerned.
Examples include individuals who may be suffering from an illness like cancer or diabetes, or those who might be challenged by mental illness themselves or live with someone with mental illness, or those who simply need prayers for strength and love during a difficult time in their lives. If you desire prayers for yourself or others, please take this opportunity to receive prayers. Ordained individuals will be available to pray with you using anointing oil and the laying on of hands.
Sunday Morning Prayer
Prayer Ministry convenes a half-hour prayer service each Sunday from 8:30 to 9:00 AM in Room 228 (the Bride’s Room), across from the pastors’ access to the sanctuary. This provides a time for shared prayers with Rev. Bob Fuller. All are welcome to come and pray with and for our pastors, the congregation, the church universal and more. Invite others to join you!
Prayer Chapel
Guthrie-Bryant Chapel will also be open throughout each day as a softly lighted central location for individuals and groups to come before the Lord in prayer, as they are led by the Spirit.
Special Days of Prayer
As needed in the life of the congregation, or the local or national community, Prayer Ministry coordinates the congregation’s participation in movements such as the National Day of Prayer and other prayer initiatives. Announcements of each event appear in First Press Magazine, worship bulletins and other media.
Contacts
Rev. Scott Simpson: scotts@fpcsat.org / 210-271-2712
Congregational Care Pastor
