Church of the Ascension has an active prayer ministry under the leadership of the Rev. Andrea Millard, Director of Prayer Ministry and Leadership Development. There are many ways to engage in prayer ministry and we warmly invite you to participate in ways that you can. For more information on any of the following opportunities, please contact Andrea by email or call the church office to leave a message for her. Here are highlights:
Monthly Soul Care gatherings
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30
Soul Care mornings are designed to enter the Lord’s presence in quietness and trust. We begin and end each gathering in silent prayer, and throughout the morning we leave plenty of space to listen and learn and rest in God. We take a slower pace as we actively listen and quietly meditate on Scripture. And if the weather is nice, we meet in the natural beauty of the courtyard (if not, we meet in the Hunt Rooms). You can look at our online registration form to see what the next date for Soul Care is.
10For@4: 10-minute Prayer Gatherings at 4:00p (on Zoom)
Prayer is where the action is – John Wesley
10For@4 is the name for our online interactive groups that pray for the needs of particular populations within our church family and wider community. 10 stands for ten-minutes of focused prayer; For indicates the particular concern or population; and @4 signifies the start time, which is 4:00 pm.
Check it out! The Zoom calls open at 3:45 pm for fellowship, orientation, and preparation. Team leaders then lead the groups into the prayer time promptly at 4:00 for 10-minutes. To join one or more of these prayer gatherings, send an email to the group contact person, who will welcome you and send you a link for the call.
Mondays: Praying for Internationals (Contact Sophie Bernardi)
Tuesdays: Praying for Children & Youth (Contact Jen Newhouse)
Wednesdays: Praying for Ascension Parishioners (Contact Melita Carter)
Thursdays: Praying for Peace, Justice & Racial Reconciliation (Contact Hannah Halfhill)
Praise & Prayer: A Weekly Email Ministry of Intercession
Throughout the course of a week, we receive prayer requests and thanksgivings from a variety of sources – Sunday’s written prayer requests, through the website, via phone calls, etc. Our team of intercessors, the people who pray for those requests, pray for those joys and needs as they are compiled into a confidential email. (We include in this email requests from those who have indicated they want prayer support.)
This weekly email includes the first name and last initial of the person making the request (or the one in need of prayer) along with a brief recap of the praise report or the challenge being faced. Sometimes folks prefer to be included in this ministry anonymously, so we are happy to use generic language (like a man, a woman, a child) to honor their wishes.
These emails provide a way of “rejoicing with those who rejoice” as individuals thank God for his many blessings – health, family, friends, employment, etc. It is also a way of “bearing one another’s burdens” as individuals invite additional prayer support during difficult times like grief, sickness, family crisis, unemployment, addiction, discernment, etc.
Contact for Prayer Ministry
Andrea Millard
andrea.millard@ascensionpittsburgh.org
(412) 621-4361