Descriptions of Opportunities to Pray
Providing Opportunities To Learn, Grow, Practice and Serve in Prayer
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18
1. The Prayer Chain
This ministry receives calls for ongoing or urgent prayer needs and passes them on to the participants for prayer. We have two chains—daytime and nighttime. If you are home during the day and would like to participate, call Gladys Broadwell - daytime coordinator, 678-5096. If you work during the day, and don't mind getting calls in the evening, call Alice Bounds - nighttime coordinator, 897-3197.
2. Early Morning Prayer
From 5:30 A.M. to 8:00 A.M. daily, Monday through Friday. This vital ministry provides an open sanctuary to the public for devotional and prayer time. Congregational prayer requests are placed on the altar for the early morning prayers to lift up. Various devotional booklets are also provided for those who need them. You may participate by just stopping by, or by signing up to be a Monitor. Contact person: Chuck Turk, 678-5827.
3. Saturday Evening and Sunday Morning Worship Prayer Team
Team members meet one-half hour prior to beginning of Saturday Evening Exchange Service, and each Sunday morning service on the Niceville UMC campus. Participants pray up the pastor preaching during each service and then remain in the Prayer Chapel or the Community Life Fitness Room to pray for the Pastor, worship leaders, musicians, singers, audiovisual, those in support of the service (parking, hospitality, communion, etc.), Sunday School classes, children and youth programs, those attending the service, and whatever else the Lord leads them. Call Al or Suzanne Niedbalski, 729-1471.
4. The Upper Room
This is a vital behind-the-scenes ministry in which participants pray for one hour a week at their assigned time in our Upper Room (Room 511 at the back of the Sanctuary) OR participants pray for one or two specific ministries at home two or three times a week.
These volunteers pray for congregational needs, the needs of the various pastors and ministries that the church is involved with, and for local, state, national and international concerns. Assignments are rotated about every three months. If interested, call Cub Sullivan, 678-1287.
5. Crossed Needles
A prayer ministry to encourage, affirm, and nurture those in need through prayer and gifts of woven items. This ministry reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace. The crafter begins each item with prayer for the recipient and continues praying throughout its creation. When complete, the item is offered a final blessing and prayer before it is given to the recipient. The unconditional embrace of a sheltering and loving God is woven into each piece. Meeting times are the third Thursday evening, 6:30 p.m. and four Saturday mornings during the year. Anyone who knits, crochets, quilts (or wants to learn how) is welcome to participate. Call Donelle King, 678-4411, for more information.
6. Retreat Weekends
Every January a group goes to a quiet retreat center for worship and solitude with the Lord. This is not a time for intercession or to get answers to questions, but to just BE with the Lover of our souls. Worship time, mini-teachings, communion, and solitude are part of the agenda. Journaling is optional. Look for announcements in the bulletin. Call Lew Wilder, 678-4411, for more information.
7. First Responders
A ministry to lift Niceville and Valparaiso law enforcement, firefighter, and rescue personnel in prayer. Participants pray for "First Responders" each day along with special requests from them. Recognizing the inherent stress and danger that comes with this work, we believe that prayer can make a difference. This is one way in which we can serve those who perform this very important work in our community. View our First Responders Prayer Ministry site.
8. Moms in Touch
The NHS group meets during the school year on Tuesdays, 8:15–9:30 a.m., Room 801. Contact Lynn Watson, 897-1744 or lynnwatson@cox.net or Starla Christakos, 678-1091. MIT Facilitator: Juleene Hasty: 678-4028. Please contact Juleene or visit the MITI website at www.MomsInTouch.org, for information about our local group(s).