by Chrissie Smith, Prayer Ministry Lay Leader

Has God gifted you to intercede (churchy word that means praying for others)? Hmm … not sure how to answer that? Alice Smith’s book, Beyond the Veil, states, “It is important for every believer (in Jesus Christ) to pray. And yet, not everyone has the gift of intercession.” Alice says this about intercessors, “This gift does not make intercessors more special to God than others, just more available for prayer.”

I have chosen some quotes from her book to help you see if God has gifted you to be an intercessor:

1. prayer time is based on your relationship with God; and not a ritual;
2. everything is fine in your life but you feel heaviness or a sense of depression. You may feel sad or on the verge of tears. Sometimes intercessors fail to realize their concerns are God’s concerns and that God is calling you to pray;
3. an intercessor tends to be a people person. They love people and want to be involved with them;
4. intercessors are committed to God and have a genuine desire to see needs met.

If the words from Alice’s book sound as if they were written for you, the Prayer Ministry at University wants to hear from you! There are many ways to participate in our Prayer Ministry and we have a place for you. You may contact me at 210-408-1271 or Nancy Andres at the church office, 210-696-1033. Also Prayer Ministry brochures are available at Guest Connections for a complete listing of areas of service.

Ways to submit your prayer need:

1. complete a prayer request card and place in the offering plate;
2. rite your prayer need on the back of the attendance slip and place in the offering plate;
3. contact Nancy Andres, 696-1033;
4. pray with a prayer guide after worship;
5. in the event of an after-hours emergency: Call Jane Wilson to activate the Emergency Telephone Chain 210-681-8525, cell-210-854-4686. Or call the church office after hours and listen for the prompt to have a Pastor return your call.