Members of the Johns Creek United Methodist Church Prayer Ministry team have taken time to provide some thoughts on how to add structure to and enhance the experience of the national day of prayer.

A Model and Rationale for Prayer -

P.R.A.Y. - Praise (Thank God for all He has done) Repent (Confess my sins and shortcomings) Ask (Ask God to reveal His truth to me) Yield (Yield to the Lord and recognize He has heard my prayers and will answer according to His will)

Praying for our leaders - Pray for local, state and federal leaders, asking God to grant them strength, wisdom, discernment and hearts open to His leading. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone --for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

Some Personal Thoughts from Team Members on the Content of our Prayers -

1. Pray that our leaders will turn to God for direction and guidance.
2. Pray that my heart remains open and supportive of those leaders who are making decisions on our behalf that I don't necessarily agree with.
3. Pray for the safety of all the men and women of our armed forces both on the front-line and behind the scenes.
4. Pray for their families who have been left behind for months and months.
5. Pray for strong, Christian leaders to make themselves known and their voices to be heard. Pray for them to have the strength and desire to make the necessary changes.
6. Pray for God's will to be done in every way.
God bless us and God bless our country to be a beacon of light and hope to the world!

Daily Devotion - Don't forget to log into the daily devotion link we've established with Upper Room Resources.

WELCOME TO OUR PRAYER LINE

We at Johns Creek take very seriously the scriptural instruction for us to pray for one another. If you have a request for us, please give your name, telephone number, the prayer concern and the name(s) of the persons involved. Your request, if noted, will be kept among our staff; otherwise, it will be shared with our congregation for community-wide prayer support.

PRAYER MINISTRY

Our Prayer Ministry Team exists to pray for y-o-u and your spiritual needs and offers the following services:

- Prayer Requests - We are a praying church family. We take the scriptural instruction to pray for one another very seriously at Johns Creek. If you have a prayer request, please telephone us at the church office, email us, or complete a Prayer Request Card found on the Prayer Boxes in the Information Center and Brinson-Farrington Prayer Room. You may also choose to use our new computer-based request system. Please know that your request will be kept as confidential among the clergy if you so desire. Otherwise, requests are published for community-wide prayer support in our church newsletter and on our website. A church-wide Prayer Line (in case of personal emergencies) is available by contacting the pastor-on-call.

- Internet Prayer Request System - Prayer requests can be received 24/7 with our new data base system. Log onto our website www.johnscreekumc.org and enter the menu entitled "Prayer Requests". There you can complete the form that is provided and a pastor will contact you and add your request to our church prayer list.

- The Brinson-Farrington Prayer Room located in the Chapel is a quiet and reverent setting for use as special prayer time. Devotional materials are available and prayer candles are located throughout the Prayer Room for you to light to represent your special concern.

- Thanksgiving Prayer Vigil - Our Prayer Team enlists members of our church family to offer prayers of thanksgiving and intercession from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. each year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The vigil is hosted in the Brinson-Farrington Prayer Room.

- The Longest Night Prayer Observance - December 21, the Winter Solstice, is the longest night of the year. On that date, we offer a quiet, meditative time in our Chapel Prayer Room that makes time for remembering, time for sharing our hurting places with God, and time for preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ. The Brinson-Farrington Prayer Room will be open and prayer candles lit from 5:00-9:00 p.m. for reading Scripture, silent reflection, and for healing prayer. You may light a prayer candle for a special observance. We will also have prayer intercessors available if you would like to have someone pray with you. The only other things needed are you, your memories and your prayers, as the candle light quietly serves as a reminder that the darkness does not overcome us, "for we have seen a Great Light".

- Easter Prayer Vigil - The Great Three Days - sometimes called the Triduum or Pasch--from sunset Holy Thursday through sunset Easter Day are the climax of Lent and a bridge into the Easter Season. These days proclaim the paschal mystery of Jesus Christ's passion, death and resurrection. During these days the community journeys with Jesus from the upper room, to the cross, to the tomb, and to the garden (The United Methodist Book of Worship). Our Easter Prayer Vigil connects the services of Holy Communion and Tenebrae (Holy Thursday and Good Friday) to the celebration of Easter morning. During this vigil, the community remembers "Christ has died" and prays for the light to shine forth through the darkness. Members of the church family also pray for the special needs of church and other relationships and for world peace. The prayer time is hosted in the Brinson-Farrington Prayer Room.

- The Upper Room - Our Nurture Ministry provides copies of the popular devotional material "The Upper Room", throughout the year. Copies are on display and available in the welcome area of the church throughout the year.

- Daily Devotion - Don't forget to log into the daily devotion link we've established with The Upper Room Resources to enjoy your daily devotion on-line. The link is provided on this website.