St. Michael's Parish, London, ON

A welcoming Eucharistic community, sharing faith and reaching out to all.

Prayer Line Ministry

"Pray for one another.
The heartfelt prayer of a good person works very powerfully."
James 5:16

Bishop Fabbro in his Diocesan Pastoral Plan, "Embracing a Future Full of Hope", outlines clearly in Goal One our call to grow as people of faith. "As living signs of Christ's presence we will respond to the call to personal holiness given to all by committing ourselves to opportunities for ongoing conversion and spiritual renewal." As a Prayer Line Ministry we are offering you this opportunity to enhance your own faith while interceding for our brothers and sisters. St. Michael's has a vibrant ministry of prayer for special requests usually made by parishioners on anyone's behalf, with that person's knowledge. Those who need to be lifted up to God do not necessarily have to be parishioners or even Catholic. We are called to be Christ's presence to everyone and one way is through recognizing each person as a creation of God and therefore our brother or sister.

Prayer requests vary greatly; some may be searching for a job, others are having surgery, many are receiving treatments for illness, especially cancer. Then there are some who just ask us to remember a special intention. A volunteer group of parishioners, young and older, singles and couples and even families pray in their own way, at their own time, using their own form of prayer. A Prayer Line Coordinator's name and phone number is always in the bulletin each week and that person receives the initial request. The coordinator than calls the captains with the prayer requests as they come in. The number of calls varies but we average three a week. The captains in turn call their team members; these volunteers pray for all the requests daily. Each one is remembered by name for three weeks and then they are put in a general category and are continuously prayed for that way. Many of the volunteers were first recipients or family of someone who was prayed for.

As a group we meet once a year to share faith and get to know one another other than just phone calls. New Prayer Line volunteers are always welcome and we have a small prayer book and a candle to assist you if you wish. We found that setting aside a regular time and making a special place with a candle, and some other object that represents sacredness, was a great support. For some a bible, a statue, or a saint's picture became helpful in setting the tone. The discipline of regular prayer helps us build our own faith. Participating in the Prayer Line Ministry makes us more aware of being part of God's one family and makes us more grateful for our own health. Please contact the Coordinator for your requests, for more information or to join.

God Bless.

Last updated 16-Oct-2008