Prayer …
... is a commandment of God (Colossians. 4:2).
... is an act of loving worship toward the God of our salvation.
... is intimate communication with the Triune God.
... is an essential element of discipleship and spiritual growth.
... reminds us of the sovereign power of God.
... reminds us of our limitations and dependence on our Creator.
... is the delight of the Lord (Proverbs 15:8).
Marvin's prayer ministry is a vital part of the church's life. You are welcome to join one of our formal prayer groups (see below to learn more), and you are encouraged to pray for the church and the church family.
Seven ways you can support your church through prayer
- Join the Prayer Warriors. Pray daily for an assigned number of people and requests. Meet with the group on Thursday morning in the parlor.
- Pray in the Prayer Room for one hour a week. Sign up for your hour shift. Quick training session required.
- Be a part of the prayer chains for emergency prayers. Receive a telephoned request, pray for it and pass it on the next name on your chain.
- Sign up to pray on Sunday mornings for one of our four worship services. Traditional service pray-ers are in the Prayer Room; contemporary are behind the stage.
- Accept a "randomly chosen" one-time assignment on Sunday morning. Be one of about 50 people who receive a print-out in their bulletin. It outlines how to pray.
- Pick up a monthly prayer guide at the Welcome Center called Daily Scriptures for Meditation and Reflection and pray the assigned scriptures. Information how-to on the back.
- Attend the Mid-Week Meditation service held Wednesday from12:05 until 12:30 p.m. Join the congregation in intercession for others in a contemplative setting.
Prayer requests
Please e-mail your prayer requests and the prayer team will pray for you! You may also call the prayer line (903.531.9350). Prayer cards are available in the worship services and at the Welcome Center.
Prayer Warriors
Marvin's Prayer Warriors meet each week to pray for requests submitted through church prayer cards, the prayer phone line (903.531.9350), e-mail or personal request.
Worship Prayer Servants
When you open your worship bulletin at any of our services, you may find a random request to be a worship prayer servant. The request will guide you in praying for the service, for the worship leaders, for spiritual protection, for members of the congregation and more. You are needed; your prayers can make a huge difference in the worship service. Even if you do not receive a prayer servant request, please pray for the service.
Prayer chain for immediate needs
When special crisis requests are received, captains take the call, pray about the need and begin the prayer chain. Contact the church (903.592.7396), call the prayer line (903.531.9350) or e-mail your request.
Hedge Ministry
The Hedge Ministry covers every aspect of the worship service with a “hedge” of protection through prayer. The analogy of the hedge comes from Job 1:10 where Satan accuses God of having a hedge around Job. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has?” The Hedge Ministry bases its strength on the promise that is given in Matthew 18:19–20: “Again I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in My Name, there I am with them.”
How does it work? Volunteers commit to pray with a partner during one worship service a month. Prayer rooms will be equipped with sound to allow the volunteers to actively participate in the worship experience as they pray. Prayers will be offered for the ministers, musicians, congregation, children, lay people, technicians behind the scenes and whatever else God leads.
The Hedge Ministry sustains the belief that God is with us during each part of the worship service. Persons praying during the worship services bring boldness and inspiration of the Holy Spirit to those participating in worship.
You're invited to participate. For more information or to sign up, contact Mary Dale Thomas (903.561.8394) or sign up at the Welcome Center (903.592.7396).
Prayer Room
The Prayer Room is manned daily from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. by volunteers who pray for special requests, all church families, missions, programs, ministers, staff, government leaders and world events. Volunteers commit for three months, September through November, December through February, March through May or June through August. If you would like to join this ministry, please send an e-mail or pick up a brochure in the Welcome Center.