Our Prayer Ministries at
Big Trees Community Bible Church
Purpose
The purpose of Big Trees Church's prayer ministries is to: (1) engage in intercessory prayer, (2) educate ourselves and others about prayer, and (3) grow deeper in our personal prayer effort.
What Is Intercessory Prayer?
All ministries at Big Trees Church pray! Prayer undergirds the church. Intercessory prayer is praying, pleading with God on behalf of something or someone else. Intercessors are those individuals who fervently and earnestly take people's petitions directly to the Lord. As intercessors, we go boldly to God's throne, seeking his mercy, grace, and help for others.
Prayer Education
Members of our church's collective prayer ministry periodically get together at a multigenerational prayer gathering that we call "Teach Us to Pray." During the pandemic, we meet on Zoom, Wednesday evenings, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. — otherwise, we gather in our church for a brief teaching, followed by guided prayer time for people of all ages (including kids and young adults) who are at all levels of prayer experience. There's no reason to feel intimidated; we're all learning together how to pray. [To receive weekly reminders of upcoming "Teach Us to Pray" gatherings, to receive links to the prayer meetings and Zoom's instructions.]
At every Wednesday's "Teach Us to Pray" gathering, we break into groups. Each group's prayer leader suggests prayer topics, along with Bible verses that highlight a relevant prayer focus. After praying through each topic, we move to the next one.
Our Online Prayer Ministry
Members of a different prayer ministry — our church's online prayer ministry — are eager to pray upon receipt of prayer requests and praises, whether called in, written, or emailed.
To become an online prayer intercessor, email to advise him of your interest. If you have a prayer to request, or possibly words of thanksgiving, email that to Pastor Jeff and he'll e-broadcast it promptly.
Our After-Service Prayer Ministry
At the end of every worship service, a prayer ministry team of intercessors will be available to pray with and for people who have prayer requests and needs for themselves or others. Prayer team intercessors will also delight in praising and thanking Lord Jesus at your suggestion.
As Christians, we know that prayer is an important part of our relationship with God. Praying with high expectations would certainly breathe new life into our prayers and our walk with God. Maybe “praying without ceasing” wouldn’t be such a daunting task because there’s newfound joy in the power of talking to our Holy God.
We all have times when we go through difficulties and need someone to encourage and pray for us. It's good then to have someone who'll pray with us. Because God cares about you and your needs, I invite you to bring your prayer request forward when the service ends; we'll look forward to praying with you and for you. Otherwise, and I'll pray as requested, then forward your prayer request to our online prayer team.
Please bring your concerns, requests, and cares to the Lord with high expectations.
Pastor Jeff
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." — Philippians 4:4–7
