Mark 2:1-12 Is the story of the paralytic. The friends of the paralytic seek Jesus out to help their friend. This was not easy, as the crowds were thick, people everywhere. They couldn’t reach Jesus. Jesus was talking to those that were gathered in a home, but the group was so large it says “there was no room left, not even outside the door.” Instead of giving up and going home, the guys friends were persistent and went to the roof of the house. They made an opening in the roof and lowered their friend in. “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, Son your sins are forgiven.” Many of us will focus on the paralyzed man who was healed by Jesus, but lets not forget his friends, for they play a major role in this story. His friends believed in God and his power, so much they were willing to go to extreme measures to bring him to Jesus. Mary Healy in her book “Healing” share this perfect example of intercessory prayer.
Intercessory prayer has a major role in parish ministry. Since starting my job at the parish we have looked at ways to revamp the prayer ministry here at MHT. One of the first things we did was cover each family at MHT in daily prayer. We split up all the families and divided them up for people to pray for. We felt this would be a powerful way to help intercede for the people we see at Mass each week as well as those who may not regularly attend, but consider themselves as part of the parish.
We also started being more intentional in praying for events we put on at the parish. We make sure these events are covered in prayer. We have a group of people who are discerning Intercessory prayer as a possible charism praying for the intentions of the staff and events we put on. We have really seen the fruits of this. Some of our recent events have been pretty powerful, and seemed to have helped bring about healing and peace for those who have attended. The adult retreats, the healing service, 8th grade retreat, the Mission retreats our high school students attended, just to name a few examples.
Here is a short testimony from Kristie Thelen.
I went to the healing service here at MHT on March 8 and while being prayed over by a prayer team I encountered physical healing. I have a history of chronic ear infections and eardrum ruptures. Leading up to service I was having significant ear pain and what I believe was the beginnings of an infection. When I went up to be prayed over I mentioned my ear pain and they began to pray. Almost immediately my ear began to feel hot. I fell in the spirit and while I was resting I had a wonderful sense of peace and stillness. My ear continued to feel warm and pulsating as if it was two sizes bigger and my pain was significantly less as they continued to pray. The next morning my ear pain was totally gone and I no longer needed to take pain medication or the other medicine the doctor had me taking to help prevent the infections when I feel one coming on. Praise be to God!
Another area within prayer ministry that has grown is those willing to pray with people. When I first started working here, prayer teams consisted almost solely of staff members. In the short 3 years since we have branched out considerable. We have parishioners who are involved in Unbound prayer ministry. We now have multiple prayer teams that include adults that either lead or intercede. We had a handful of parishioners that were involved at our most recent healing service. It’s been amazing to see this ministry grow and take off in the last few years. I know that is because of these prayers and our efforts we have seen the Lord work in so many areas of ministry and in the lives of our parishioners.
“The prayer of a righteous man [or woman] had great power in its effects.” James 5:16
Sue Thelen shared her thoughts on intercessory prayer.
I personally feel one of the greatest gifts you can give to someone is praying or interceding for them on their behalf. When I pray for others I know God will hear and answer, on Gods time either by giving that person strength, peace, healing, or hope. Most people are just overwhelmed that someone actually cares about them enough to take the time to pray for them. It gives great comfort and peace in my heart knowing by just stopping what I’m doing to pray, light a candle or offer something up will touch someone.
Your practice of praying persistently will eventually make a vast difference in you.
We have an updated list of the families registered here at MHT. We would like to re-distribute parish families and have parishioners pray for them. The goal is that we would have enough people so every family is being covered in prayer on a daily basis. If you are interested in being send a new set of families to pray for, please contact me at: adultfaithmht@gmail.com
God Bless,
Andrea Schneider
Intercessory prayer has a major role in parish ministry. Since starting my job at the parish we have looked at ways to revamp the prayer ministry here at MHT. One of the first things we did was cover each family at MHT in daily prayer. We split up all the families and divided them up for people to pray for. We felt this would be a powerful way to help intercede for the people we see at Mass each week as well as those who may not regularly attend, but consider themselves as part of the parish.
We also started being more intentional in praying for events we put on at the parish. We make sure these events are covered in prayer. We have a group of people who are discerning Intercessory prayer as a possible charism praying for the intentions of the staff and events we put on. We have really seen the fruits of this. Some of our recent events have been pretty powerful, and seemed to have helped bring about healing and peace for those who have attended. The adult retreats, the healing service, 8th grade retreat, the Mission retreats our high school students attended, just to name a few examples.
Here is a short testimony from Kristie Thelen.
I went to the healing service here at MHT on March 8 and while being prayed over by a prayer team I encountered physical healing. I have a history of chronic ear infections and eardrum ruptures. Leading up to service I was having significant ear pain and what I believe was the beginnings of an infection. When I went up to be prayed over I mentioned my ear pain and they began to pray. Almost immediately my ear began to feel hot. I fell in the spirit and while I was resting I had a wonderful sense of peace and stillness. My ear continued to feel warm and pulsating as if it was two sizes bigger and my pain was significantly less as they continued to pray. The next morning my ear pain was totally gone and I no longer needed to take pain medication or the other medicine the doctor had me taking to help prevent the infections when I feel one coming on. Praise be to God!
Another area within prayer ministry that has grown is those willing to pray with people. When I first started working here, prayer teams consisted almost solely of staff members. In the short 3 years since we have branched out considerable. We have parishioners who are involved in Unbound prayer ministry. We now have multiple prayer teams that include adults that either lead or intercede. We had a handful of parishioners that were involved at our most recent healing service. It’s been amazing to see this ministry grow and take off in the last few years. I know that is because of these prayers and our efforts we have seen the Lord work in so many areas of ministry and in the lives of our parishioners.
“The prayer of a righteous man [or woman] had great power in its effects.” James 5:16
Sue Thelen shared her thoughts on intercessory prayer.
I personally feel one of the greatest gifts you can give to someone is praying or interceding for them on their behalf. When I pray for others I know God will hear and answer, on Gods time either by giving that person strength, peace, healing, or hope. Most people are just overwhelmed that someone actually cares about them enough to take the time to pray for them. It gives great comfort and peace in my heart knowing by just stopping what I’m doing to pray, light a candle or offer something up will touch someone.
Your practice of praying persistently will eventually make a vast difference in you.
We have an updated list of the families registered here at MHT. We would like to re-distribute parish families and have parishioners pray for them. The goal is that we would have enough people so every family is being covered in prayer on a daily basis. If you are interested in being send a new set of families to pray for, please contact me at: adultfaithmht@gmail.com
God Bless,
Andrea Schneider
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