Praying Hands: A Ministry of the Heart

My name is Mandy Bellah, and for more than eight years, I have had the privilege of serving as a Praying Hands Minister during our worship services.

It might surprise you to learn that there was a time when I was terrified to pray aloud. When I first felt called to serve as the leader of Stephen Ministry, my role often required me to pray aloud. In the beginning, before every Stephen Ministry meeting, I would carefully plan and write out my prayers. Spontaneous prayer was definitely outside my comfort zone!

So, when our church decided to incorporate Praying Hands Ministers into our weekly worship services, I was asked to recruit volunteers. That meant asking other people to do something I was very uncomfortable doing myself—praying spontaneously with individuals who came forward seeking prayer.

I didn’t think it was fair to ask others to do something I wasn’t willing to do myself, so I joined the team.

I still remember my first Sunday as a Praying Hands Minister. I was terrified! I couldn’t even concentrate on the sermon because I spent the entire time worrying about what I would say when the first person came forward with a prayer request.

I didn’t have the eloquent religious vocabulary my husband, Brad, learned in seminary. I didn’t have fancy prayers memorized. I simply had a willing heart—and a whole lot of nervousness!

With great trepidation, I made my way to the front of the sanctuary and waited for the first person to approach. When they shared their prayer request, something amazing happened. The words simply started flowing.

I didn’t think about what I was going to say. I just prayed from my heart.

I know that didn’t happen by accident. I believe it was the work of the Holy Spirit, filling me with the words I needed to offer comfort and encouragement to the person standing before me.

There is something incredibly powerful and humbling about praying on someone else’s behalf. And, with each time I serve, it becomes easier. That is how it works for me every week: I trust the Holy Spirit to guide me and give me the words to pray for others.

I’m not the only one who has experienced this. Other Stephen Ministers have shared with me that they, too, have found God giving them the words to say in the moment. They often leave their time serving as a Praying Hands Minister feeling deeply blessed.

And guess what?

The Holy Spirit will give you the words, too.

Praying for others is a gift from God. You don’t need to be a seminary graduate. You don’t need to have eloquent words or memorized prayers. You simply need a willing heart and a desire to be present with someone who needs prayer.

We Need You!

Our Praying Hands Ministry Team desperately needs new volunteers, and you do not have to be a Stephen Minister to serve. Anyone who feels called to help with this ministry is welcome.

If you volunteer, you will serve on a rotating basis during the worship service you normally attend.

Here’s how Praying Hands works: after receiving Communion, individuals have the opportunity to receive personal prayer with members of our Praying Hands Ministry Team. Prayer ministers are located near the Communion rail. Those seeking prayer simply come forward, share their prayer concern, and the prayer minister prays with them.

That’s it.

You don’t have to have all the right words. You don’t have to know exactly what to say. You simply have to be willing to listen, care, and pray.

And you don’t even have to commit to joining the team right away. You can try serving a couple of times and see what you think. I can almost guarantee that you will discover what so many of us have experienced: the Holy Spirit will be with you, guiding you in what to say and do.

I promise you will leave feeling blessed by the opportunity to be of service to someone else.

Praying for others is a gift—and it is a gift that can change both their lives and yours.

If you are interested in exploring this important and meaningful ministry, please contact Mandy Bellah at sosstephenministry@gmail.com.