The cross with prayer requests in our prayer room

Prayer at Selsdon Baptist church

No-one can doubt the importance of prayer in the life of a Christian. This leaflet has been written to show the place that prayer plays in the life of Selsdon Baptist Church.

1. Prayer as part of Sunday services
   
   Each Sunday worship service contains some elements of prayer within it. We have prayers of praise and worship, reflective prayers, time for open prayer, meditation prayer, silence for prayer, prayer of confession, intercessory prayers, pastoral prayers, healing prayer, personal prayer, liturgical prayer .... and lots of other prayers too. Because each service is different, no service will have every form of prayer within it. Some prayers are taken by the minister, some by members of the congregation who have prepared them in advance, and some are spontaneous. In a church service, we enjoy a variety of forms of prayer.
   
    

2. Private Prayer
   
   Prayer that is confined to church on Sunday is not an adequate diet of prayer for an active Christian. We assume that people, in their own ways, and using their own patterns, will have a life of prayer that happens in the week, and not just on Sundays.
   
    

3. Selsdon Baptist at Prayer Together
   
   There will be an event each month when the church can meet together for prayer. 

   • On Sunday Evenings an occasional Prayer Labyrinth in the Church Halls. Start anytime between 6.30 and 9pm

   • Monthly Praying Together meeting

   • There is a prayer room set aside at the church

    

4. Prayer in Homegroups
   
   The church operates a system of home groups, and people are strongly urged to find a homegroup that suits them. Prayer is a vital part of the homegroup meeting and each group will make time for prayer during their time together. This is a good place to start praying with others in a small group.
   
    

5. Prayer with other Christians
   
   Once a month there is a prayer meeting organised by Churches Together in Selsdon and Addington, which brings together people from different churches to share together in prayer. We believe that these occasions deserve to be well supported.
   
    

6. Prayer with the Ministerial Team
   
   We believe in fulfilling the injunction of James 5:14, so we are happy to respond to any request to visit a person and pray for them, whatever their circumstances. All you have to do is ask. Requests for prayer can be totally confidential, and if you need that assurance then all you have to do is ask.
   
    

7. The Prayer Chain
   
   We operate a prayer chain which mobilises a number of people to pray should a situation or emergency arise that needs covering in prayer. All that has to be done is to phone the prayer chain leader (the office will pass on your request) and this request will be phoned through to a number of people who will pray with you about the request you have made.
   
    

8. The Deacons' Prayer Fellowship
   
   The deacons meet in the middle of each month for a time of sharing and prayer. If anyone wants the deacons to pray about a certain issue, they will be glad to do that with you. The deacons also meet for prayer before each service, praying for the blessing of God on the worship that is about to take place.
   
    

9. Prayer after a Church Service
   
   We give people an opportunity to have someone pray with them after a morning service. A person may feel 'spoken to' by the service that has just finished, or may have concerns about themselves or someone else that can be brought to God in prayer. It may be that a person is facing some challenge in the coming days, such as a visit to hospital or an interview. All these, and any other topics, can be prayed for and we are offering a team of people to pray with individuals who ask it after the morning service. The prayer will take place in the pews or the Prayer Room - the small room at the front right of the church - your choice. Those available to pray with people will move to the rear after the service and wear a 'Prayer Team' badge.
   
    

10. And so on
    
    Prayer does not stop here. So much of what we do as a church involves prayer. Most meetings include a time for prayer, Church Members' meetings have prayer times in them, and many pastoral conversations end up in prayer. Prayer is almost as natural for a Christian as conversation, and prayer will therefore be an important element of almost everything we do.

World Out There (WOT) poster, with prayer topics, in our prayer room

Some current and recent prayer initiatives:-

Praying for the Prison Ministry  -  Esther Lambo is starting a new prayer meeting on the first Friday of each month commencing, 7 July 2006 at 8 pm at SBC to pray for the prison ministry and for issues concerning gun and knife crimes in our community.

HAlf-Nights of Prayer - The opportunity to spend time with God and each other. August 31st and November 2nd 2007

PRAYER WALK and Prayer Breakfast - Saturday, 6 October 2007.  The deacons and other members of the fellowship walking around the roads surrounding our buildings, praying for our community as we go.  Prayer walking is a great way of focusing our prayers for those in our locality and a great way of praying together.  If you’ve never tried it before come along and see how it works - everyone is very welcome to join us!

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