Prayer

Prayer is the response of yearning, joyful humankind to God our creator, a conversation with the One who loves us, and expression of gratitude to the One who sustains us. It is an expression of wonder and awe, a cry for help in times of need, a song of gratitude in times of fullness. Prayer is speaking; it is listening; many times it is simply waiting.

Prayer ministries at FUMC have evolved out of the experiences and desires of the people. You are invited to join these prayers of praise and intercession.

>> Online Prayer Request Form

Intercessory Prayer Groups

Pastor/Staff Daily Prayers

Pastors and staff members gather daily in the Prayer Chapel at 9:00 a.m. to pray for all aspects of FUMC life, and especially for those concerns submitted each Sunday on prayer request cards.

Worship Support Prayer Teams

These prayer teams are in the Prayer Chapel on Sundays to pray for pastors, worship leaders, and the congregation, as well as for specific prayer requests submitted during prayer time at the services. Members commit to pray with other team members one Sunday each month.
Early Service Teams pray from 8:15-9:30 a.m.
Late Service Teams pray from 10:50-noon.

Sunday School Team

Meets in the Prayer Chapel on Sundays from 9:35-10:25 to pray for all Sunday school needs, nursery through adult: for teachers, students, and any special prayer requests brought to the chapel. A team member is asked to pray one Sunday each month.

Encouragement Cards

Special cards for the purpose of encouraging and affirming others are available to be submitted during Sunday morning worship. They are mailed the following week to designated recipients.

Pastors’ Prayer Team

A covenant group that meets weekly to pray for FUMC pastors, staff, and church needs.

>> The Upper Room Living Prayer Center

Prayer Shawl Ministry

A Prayer Shawl is a work of loving hands and hearts responding to the guidance of God’s Spirit, a tangible symbol of God’s love reaching in to human hearts through the prayers and service of others.

Prayer Shawl Ministry members knit or crochet shawls that are given to individuals who are ill, suffering a loss, or are otherwise in the midst of a life crisis.

Before the work begins, yarn for each shawl is blessed with a special prayer. Every time ministry team members work on the shawls, whether in a group or at home, they begin with prayer and scripture reading. Upon completion, another blessing is bestowed on the shawl and it is hand-delivered to the special recipient.

Prayer Chapel

The Prayer Chapel is located on the main level of the building, just across from the door leading into the sanctuary. The Prayer Chapel is always open to anyone seeking a quiet moment of communion with God. Prayer requests may be entered in the open book that is kept on the altar.

Prayer Classes

Prayer studies and workshops are offered periodically at FUMC.

How to Join a Prayer Team

If you would like to become part of any of the prayer ministries at FUMC, please call Andrea Woods at the church office, 422-4002 or e-mail andrea@jacksonfumc.org.

Resources

Dimensions of Prayer: Cultivating a Relationship with God - Douglas V. Steere

Gratefulness, the heart of Prayer: an Approach to Life in Fullness - David Steindl-Rast

New Seeds of Contemplation - Thomas Merton

Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home - Richard J. Foster

Soul Feast - Marjorie Thompson

Praying in the Midst of Life - Ron Del Bene