Prayer Ministry Annual Report January 2006

Prepared by Mary Kincaid

St. Luke's Prayer Group had the privilege of praying for hundreds of persons in 2005. Every request, from new birth to newly departed, employment, spiritual strengthening, safe travel and more was honored with prayer. Sometimes just a name was submitted asking for prayers for that person. There were also many prayers of thanks, first to our Lord Jesus Christ for all His blessings and to all the parishioners at St. Luke's who took time in their life to pray for someone else. Could there be a greater gift, then to pray for someone? I was reminded by a pre-teen about the wealth of prayer, when he was offered money for helping an elderly couple with their chores. He repeatedly refused the money and finally the elderly couple asked with some frustration, "What can we do to show you our appreciation for all your help?" The young man simply said, "Just say a prayer for me!" He knew at his young age, that prayer was a perfect gift. I learned from him that day.

Father Andrew has mounted on the west wall in the narthex a container for the weekly prayer list. Every week a new list is posted. We pray for at least two weeks for those in need and Father Andrew mentions their name in the Liturgy on Sunday and at the prayer services. There are also beautiful prayer cards available for any intention and "In Loving Memory" cards in the narthex. Let St. Luke's truly become a praying church in 2006 by every member taking a list and praying for others in need.