Prayer at St. James'
After the resurrection, Jesus revealed himself to the disciples and his followers for some forty days; then he ascended into heaven. Following Jesus’ ascension, the disciples returned to Jerusalem . . . went to the room upstairs where they were staying . . . constantly devoting themselves to prayer (see Acts 1:12-14). Is it any wonder that ten days later, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples with power and they were emboldened to proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior? Prayer paved the way for the Pentecost experience, opening the disciples up to the power of God. Prayer is no less important in our current time. Each of us is called to develop a personal prayer life. We also need to be praying as a church. There are several prayer ministries currently active at St. James’. Call the listed contact for more information about any of these:
Public Prayer List: St. James’ maintains a public intercessory prayer list (for members and immediate family) that is printed every Sunday in the service bulletin and in the Newsline. Those listed are prayed for out loud at Sunday services; we encourage all members of the congregation to pray for those on the list during private periods of prayer. Contact the parish office, 301-762-8040.
Prayer Chain: Several members of St. James’ serve as intercessors on the Prayer Chain. Private requests for prayer are treated with the utmost confidentiality and remain on the chain for two weeks. Contact the Parish Office with prayer requests.
Sunday School Prayer Support: Different persons have volunteered to pray each day for our Sunday School, naming each child individually and all our teachers. Contact: Grace Huff.
Prayer/Healing: Teams of intercessors pray for individuals with the laying on of hands and anointing with oil at Sunday services during the distribution of Holy Communion.
Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:14)
Contact: John Miers.
Daughters of the King: St. James’ has a chapter of this national organization, whose primary purpose is to pray for the parish under the direction of the rector.
Vestry Prayer Partners: Different persons pray for specific vestry members, ministries, and needs, as requested by the vestry representative. Contact: Sr. Warden, if you would like to volunteer.