Did you know that there is a group of Eastmont members who commit to pray for one or two hours every week for people who are hurting, ill, or lost? The Eastmont Prayer Ministry is one of the most vital, yet lesser-known ministries in our church. You have probably seen prayer cards in the pew racks and maybe you wonder what happens when you turn one in. Perhaps you have not thought about it at all. But for those who have been blessed by it, the Prayer Ministry is very important. Jane Andrews, the ministry coordinator calls it a “silent ministry.”
Jane has been the coordinator of this ministry for the last 10 years but was a part of it long before she took over the role of coordinating. She is grateful for those who have made a commitment to pray for specific needs. The team members have a scheduled time each week to come to the prayer room at the church to pray and to send cards of encouragement and/or call those who have given permission to do so. However, their commitment to pray is not bound by the physical availability of the prayer room. When the church building was not accessible due to Covid, the prayer team continued to pray at their allotted time from home until they could come back to the prayer room.
In addition to prayer cards from the sanctuary, they also get prayer requests from people who call or email the office or from personal requests given to team members. Prayer requests are not limited to church members. Jane says that there are many times when they are praying for more people outside Eastmont than for those inside our church family. All prayer requests are treated with respect and are kept completely confidential.
Jane and her husband, Charles, have experienced the benefits of the ministry firsthand. The Prayer Ministry prayed for their son, David, his wife, and for them as David battled cancer before being eternally healed. “To know that someone is praying for you every day is special,” said Jane. Barbie Griggs lives in Red Level but has a friend at Eastmont who asked the Prayer Ministry to pray for her as she is battling cancer. Barbie told her friend, “Your church has been so good about sending me cards. They certainly do brighten my day. I appreciate them so much.”
This ministry understands that prayer is not the least that we can do, but it is the greatest thing that we can do. If you have a prayer need, complete a prayer card, call the prayer line (277-8876), or call the church office. If you are interested in being a part of this ministry, contact Jane Andrews or call the church office.