Synod Spotlight: Pray Without Ceasing Initiative
Written by Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen
I am so delighted to read comments from the churches that have chosen to accept this invitation. It’s not a large number, but the impact is amazing.
The church that has been meeting once a month before worship after people have been praying on their own at a specific time each week is still doing so. Prayer leads into worship, which is beautiful!
A church that was meeting during the summer has been on hold during the school year, and hopes to start again next summer. Members led the prayer time, bringing in their own ways of praying to the group. They experienced lectio divina, intercession prayer, reading psalms together, sitting in silence together, etc. It was also beautiful to see, as community was formed, a willingness of participants to be vulnerable, sharing some deep hurts, anxiety, pain, anger, etc. with each other, as well as joys. That’s what praying together is all about!
Another church reports their group is small and faithful, between 6 and 9. They gathered across the street at their prayer labyrinth until the weather changed and now are gathering in the room in the church with the comfy chairs. They spend time sharing concerns of the day or the past week, debriefing, and then praying. Depending on the conversation, it lasts anywhere from 30-45 minutes. Nothing formal, no resources. Sometimes a Bible verse is read to get the group going, but other times, people just jump right in and go from there. They have adjusted their time as necessary. They are now making a "prayer box" and inviting members of the congregation to share prayer concerns for us to pray about. Sort of creating a "prayer team" of this group. What an excellent idea to serve the whole congregation!
And here is a wonderful story of community involvement! At a church right in the city of La Crosse, each individual in the group has been tasked with leading a morning prayer for the group. This provides a wide variety of different and memorable prayers so it really helped to expand our minds. In the first several weeks it was advertised as an event for folks to join. And they have a sandwich sign that is put near the boulevard so the people at the bus top are able to see the invite! They have invited guests and people from the neighborhood have joined occasionally too. As for resources, they use some that have been provided from the ELCA and our synod: and at times, the members are just using something that speaks to them so they share it with the group. Cultivating relationships and reaching out with God’s love in prayer – what a gift!
Part of the PWC challenge is to invite other churches and ministries to begin their own group. So on behalf of these churches, I invite you to consider this great ministry – if it’s too busy now, think about the new year, or Lent, to begin.
Contact me for more information!
Pastor Kathy Ingbritsen (retired) 608-606-2903 or kingbritsen@gmail.com
