Somewhere around 1995, the Choctaw congregation tried something new. Blue prayer cards were printed up and members were encouraged to write down a prayer request which would be honored at the end of each service. The original intent was to make it easier for members to ―come forward or respond to the invitation. The cards would be filled out and the members would bring them forward to the front where they were received by the elders and ministers.

At first the response was slow, a card or two every other service. With time however, members began to use the cards for personal prayer needs not connected to the lesson or invitation. Each week more and more cards were sent forward with prayer requests for friends, relatives, and every type of need imaginable… even for sick cattle!

Over the years we have tried to honor each request, even as the list grows longer by the week, and usually read the details of every card during the ―family time portion of our service. This approach has become very time consuming due to the increasing number of cards and for this reason we now have to consider a different method of honoring our long list of prayer requests each week.

Beginning on June 6th and for a trial period extending to the fall, we will handle prayer requests in the following manner:

1. We will continue to encourage members to hand in their prayer requests on the blue cards as usual.

2. After services two of our elders will meet in the elders’ conference room to review and pray for each request. Anyone who would like is welcome to join them for further prayer or counselling.

3. These requests will be posted on the Congregational Prayer List on our church website www.choctawsaints.org (members’ section password jesussaves) on Mondays.

4.The same list will be printed as usual in the bulletin which will be available on Wednesday evening.

5. This list and any updates will also be available in the worship guide on the following Sunday. 

6. Of course, birth and death notices will be included in the Family Time/Announcement portion of each service.

We hope that this approach will help balance the need to keep the congregation informed and involved in a prayerful way in one another’s lives, as well as the need to provide a worship service that can honor God and edify the church… all done in an orderly and timely manner.

If you have any comments or questions, please direct them to Marty or myself.

 Source: bibletalk.tv/victims-of-our-own-success