Local churches use new technology to form prayer chains

Most people talk to God through prayer.

But when some churches want to reach him through a group effort, they use e-mail.

Many churches have prayer groups who meet regularly to pray together. Some have prayer chains, a list of people who are called one by one and are asked to offer prayer in time of need.

Lately, however, the call to prayer has become a little more high-tech.

At Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau, the Faith Emphasis Team began a prayer chain ministry that functions mostly by e-mail. When anyone -- whether a church member or not -- needs prayer, as soon as the pastor or his secretary is made aware of that, an e-mail goes out to those who have expressed an interest in participating. Phone calls go out to participants who do not have e-mail and to other groups within the church who have prayer chains. Before long, everyone involved is praying.

"Modern technology is wonderful," said Helen Ueleke, one of the team members who helped start the prayer chain.

"It's a wonderful bonding within the church congregation," said Mary Ann Pensel, another member of the Faith Emphasis Team.

Prayer chains have a higher calling than just alerting members to a person's need for spiritual support.

"As we develop our skills in prayer, we focus more on God rather than on the topic we are praying for," Pensel said. "We become more of a faithful servant in that regard."

Prayer groups have long been a function of many churches, but who would have thought that one day they would be computer-assisted.

The Rev. Paul Kabo, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau, said the prayer groups there are not structured, although people pray together regularly.

"We do not have a specific committee with the responsibility to build and maintain a prayer chain," Kabo said.

At First Presbyterian, when people need prayer, the word is put out over the Net.

"There's a lot of e-mailing going on," Kabo said. "That happens in our congregation."

The prayer chains are linking more than people in need to the one who answers the prayers. The prayer chains through e-mail are connecting people to each other.

"We have individuals who feel they have reached a time in their life they can't be real active and productive through activities within the church," Pensel said. "But here's a perfect opportunity for them to feel they are making a real contribution. They can become what I call our prayer warriors. They have learned to pray very fervently."

The Internet has also linked people through prayer in an unexpected but positive way.

"Many people spend a lot of time at their computer," Pensel said. "Those who are still in careers have indicated they can receive these prayer requests during their work day and become aware of the need. It enables them to feel a lot closer to the church family."

They can easily take a few minutes out of the work day to say a short prayer.

"From my point of view this is a wonderful ministry," said the Rev. Scott Moon, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church.

A need for prayer has apparently caught on worldwide. A Google search of prayer chains revealed nearly 3 million links for people to click on and ask for prayer for themselves or their loved ones.

lredeffer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160