Lord, hear our prayer: Small groups at local churches speak to God on behalf of others

Despite their many differences, most religions have one thing in common: prayer. People of all faiths turn to their God to express gratitude, ask for help and guidance, and confess hopes and worries. Written or spoken, silent or aloud, solo or as a group, prayer comes in many forms and serves as a cornerstone of religion.

Local worship centers don’t just pray together at their regular services, but also throughout the week during regular small group meetings. Here are some of the ways that church members speak to God on behalf of others, and how our community will pray as one on May 5 for the National Day of Prayer.

Ingleside Baptist Church

For 24 years, preschool teachers at Ingleside Baptist in Macon have started their workday with a short prayer/devotional time, said Weekday Preschool Director Evelyn Anne Turner. The teachers meet for about 10 minutes Monday through Friday in a vacant classroom and pray for the Lord’s favor that day as well as for any staff members, students or families who may be experiencing hardships. Sometimes ministers even stop by to lead them.

“We just pray. It’s not a lengthy time. We keep up with who we’re praying for, and it’s amazing how the Lord answers prayer,” she said. “As Christians, the Lord just has all kinds of blessings and powers that we have right at our fingertips.”

Turner said it’s important for the instructors to know that people are thinking of them as they start their day. It helps them walk through tough times when they see that God is at work in their lives. Outside of school, the teachers text each other to share prayer needs.

Another group at Ingleside helps Tim McCoy prepare for worship on Sundays. Since 1995, about six men have been praying with the senior pastor in the church’s prayer room from 7:45-8 a.m. Group leader Pat Rabun said they have a few minutes of small talk, ask McCoy if he has any specific requests, and then gather around him for informal prayer. They ask for him to receive the strength to preach three sermons and for his message to be clearly heard and understood by the congregation.

“He’s the leader of a 3,500-person company. He just needs daily prayer. I don’t think people realize what pastors go through,” Rabun said. “(The prayer time) benefits him greatly, and it blesses us that he really cares that we are there for him. For all those guys in there, it’s not just a pastor, it’s a friend that we’re praying for.”

Spirit of Life Revival Center

Spirit of Life Revival Center in Macon leads prayer from noon-1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday in the sanctuary. It’s open to everyone, and six to 12 staff members, retirees and community members on lunch break normally participate, said church pastor Bishop Alphonso Westley.

“Prayer is the most fundamental thing of any religion. Without prayer, you don’t have a religion. I think it keeps your faith alive. It keeps you inspired,” Westley said. “Prayer is our open line of communication with God, and that gets God involved in our life and our business, and keeps our faith vibrant.”

The church also has a prayer service at 7 p.m. every Tuesday and hosts all-night prayer the last Friday of the month, both of which are attended by 12 to 20 people. For the latter, participants pray from 10 p.m.-4 a.m., starting each two-hour session by writing down prayer topics, reading scripture and discussing how to pray. Westley said he learned this practice during his nine years as a missionary in South Africa.

“All through the Bible, you see people praying. I tell people, ‘Why do people seek out Jesus? Because they knew when he prayed something would happen.’ They have faith that this man’s prayers will be heard by God,” Westley said.

Mulberry Street United Methodist Church

Fifteen to 20 groups keep prayer flowing from Mulberry United Methodist in Macon. Whether for choir, bible study or other interests, many groups incorporate prayer into their meetings.

Prayer ministry team member Judy Hodgens said groups meet every day of the week, some as early as 7 a.m. and others as late as 8 p.m. The intergenerational groups, containing anywhere from five to 40 members, meet at the church as well as in homes, coffee shops and lunch spots.

“Directly listening and communication with God is a part of your lifestyle,” Hodgens said. “I think that the only prayer that’s not answered is the prayer that is not asked. Some prayers are answered quickly, and others can take a whole lifetime. Every prayer counts, and God doesn’t care about our flowery words. He wants to hear our hearts.”

The church compiles a corporate prayer list every week and distributes it at Sunday services. Many of the small groups use that list to offer up prayers during their time together.

First Evangelical Church

At First Evangelical in Macon, a handful of women meet to pray Tuesday mornings, and a group of men pray with the pastor before Sunday worship, said financial secretary Kathy Ramey.

Part of the mid-week service Wednesday night is devoted to prayer, and corporate prayer time is held an hour before evening worship on the first Sunday of the month. The church also has a prayer room, and two people remain in this space for the duration of the Sunday morning worship, praying for the service and special requests.

“There’s just something that’s so special about being in a small group of people and praying for these specific needs, and then seeing how the Lord answers these prayers,” Ramey said. “It strengthens your faith.”

Vineville United Methodist Church

Prayer is one of Vineville United Methodist’s four main focus areas, said Associate Pastor Ted Goshorn. The Macon church has a prayer team that does intercessory prayer and keeps up with requests, and it also has two special services during the week.

“I think prayer is the main way in which we connect with God,” Goshorn said. “Whether it takes the form of prayer for others, or sitting in silence, or writing in a journal, or any number of forms, the goal is the same, and that’s to have our spirits conform with God’s spirit. … One of our goals is to be known in the community as a praying church, a church that really values prayer in all its forms.”

The Taize contemplative prayer service at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday brings in about 30 people for a half-hour of extended silence, medication and communion, Goshorn said. About eight people normally attend the 15-minute Tuesday morning service, which starts at 7:45 a.m. and follows the daily patterns of the “Common Prayer” book.

Individuals and small groups are welcome to use two designated spaces within the church for mediation and prayer. Vineville also hosts a prayer breakfast at 7:30 a.m. every Thursday. About 25 people gather for prayer, fellowship and breakfast during this time.

National Day of Prayer

While worship centers pray for others through small groups and as a congregation, National Day of Prayer provides a way for people of all faiths across America to pray together as a whole. The annual observance, founded in 1952, is held on the first Thursday in May. May 5 is this year’s date, and the theme is “Wake Up America.”

More than 43,000 events were held across the country last year, said National Day of Prayer Macon Chairwoman Margaret McCook. Macon’s traditions, started in 1975 by nonprofit organization Here’s Life Macon, include a prayer breakfast and a midday rally open to the community. Many local worship centers will participate in these events, open their doors for prayer or host their own programs.

“This is an observance in Macon that people feel really good about. Since it began, it’s been an event for unity in our community where all the denominations, all the churches, all ages can come and participate together,” McCook said. “By coming to these public events, they’re making a stance about the importance of prayer. If we pray, it makes a difference.”

During the breakfast at First Presbyterian Church on Mulberry Street, food will be served from 6:45-7:30 a.m., followed by a program from 7:30-8:40 a.m. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets, which are $7 each, as soon as possible through nationaldayofprayermaconga.org, at First Presbyterian’s office or Ingleside Baptist’s bookstore. McCook said 500 people have attended the event in the past.

“Rally for Our Nation” takes place from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Rosa Parks Square in downtown Macon. Ral Waltower, pastor of True Gospel Christian Church, will be the guest speaker at both events, and Westley will deliver the closing prayer at the breakfast.

Here’s Life Macon also hosts monthly events. Prayer for public officials is held from noon-1 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month at the Macon-Bibb Government Center. A pastors’ lunch at Ole Times Country Buffet on the fourth Thursday of the month gives attendees the opportunity to share announcements, network and pray together, McCook said.

This story was originally published April 29, 2016 at 9:43 PM with the headline "Lord, hear our prayer: Small groups at local churches speak to God on behalf of others."