Why Pray? Why fast? Let’s listen to Jesus…

Fasting and prayer, as combined spiritual disciplines, are a lifestyle that every believer should incorporate into their Christian journey. Fasting is a way of putting into subjection our own personal appetites and desires. It is a way of denying ourselves in order to seek God’s presence, will, and blessing in our lives. Both the Old and New Testaments teach us of those who have practiced these spiritual disciplines and set the example for us.

One place to start as we consider these spiritual disciplines and their place in our Christian lives is with the very words of Jesus in the gospel of Matthew:

Matthew 6:5-7

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.”

Matthew 6:16-18

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

 

Notice Jesus’ words in these verses: “WHEN you pray” not “IF you pray.” “WHEN you fast” not “IF you fast.” Let us seek, in increasing measure, to be a people of prayer and fasting both individually and as a body of believers at Central Christian Church.

We have many ways to become involved in the Prayer Ministry. If you would like to become a prayer warrior, be in a prayer group, be on a prayer team, or be included in an emergency prayer chain, please fill out the Care Team Member Interest Form.

If you need prayer, please fill out our Prayer Request Form.

Weekend Prayer Teams
The teams ask God to perform His wondrous and mighty works in the worship service and discipleship classes. Please join us in the Garden Prayer Room 30 minutes before each Sunday worship service.

Weekend Prayer Counselors
Current members of CCC who are already involved in other CCC prayer ministries and have been trained in evangelism and are capable of providing a level of Biblical counseling to people struggling through current crises. They will pray with responders at our weekend services on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings.

Ministry Prayer Team
Teams of praying people who are familiar with and committed to praying for particular church ministries (Central kids, nursery, youth, pastors, missions, etc.) and are willing to make praying for that ministry a priority.

Emergency Prayer Team
A prayer tree operating 24 hours a day that is willing to pray for emergency needs as they are communicated through the administrator.

Crossroads Prayer Team
Church members who make the commitment to pray for the weekly prayer requests coming into our church.

If you are interested in being a part of any of these prayer teams, please fill out the online form and we will contact you.

Encouragers Prayer Walkers
First Sunday of each month @ 8:15 AM

The Encouragers Class Prayer Walkers have been meeting on the first Sunday of every month since June 18, 2000, the first Sunday services were held in the new Sanctuary.  Although the prayer walkers are primarily Encouragers class members, everyone is most welcome.  We meet at 8:15 a.m. in the Garden Prayer Room for a brief period of fun fellowship and a prayer together. Then we scatter throughout the church, into the sanctuary, class rooms, coffee concourse and hallways praying over the chairs for all who will come later to the worship services. Our focus is intercessory prayer on behalf of those, whether they come with sorrow, joy, pain, peace, sin, repentance, burdens or thanksgiving. At 8:45 a.m. we go to the Garden Prayer Room for 15 minutes to join those who are praying for our pastors.

Led by Ron Badger

Prayer for the Pastors
Sundays @ 8:45 AM in the Hospitality Suite

Led by Joe Prickett