Editor's Section




Prayer Mailbox

This is a very simple idea.

Your church no doubt has a front door!

Now put it to use 24X7.

Either install a second mail slot or put a notice above your existing one. Label it "Prayer Requests".

Contact your neighborhood in person, by letter or leaflet. Let them know they can drop their prayer requests through the letter box at any time of the day or night, anonymously if they wish. Make it the first item of the church office day to check for prayer requests and pray. If the person has left their name and contact details be sure to make contact quickly and get them into your pastoral care.

The introduction of the prayer mailbox might make a worthwhile piece for the local radio station or newspaper. Don't forget to mention it in church or to remind the neighbours from time to time.

These two photos (hover your mouse over the thumbnails for a bigger photo) were sent to me by my friend Ed de la Cour Jr on Cape Cod. The First Baptist Church of Pocasset has received an excellent response from the community. Some prayer requests are anonymous and that is just fine. Others have given contact details and these have become opportunities for pastoral care.

There will be as many designs for prayer mailboxes as there are churches. You may even wish to use your normal letterbox. Just be sure to put a sign near it and also be sure to check for requests several times a day.

It's very important to keep in mind that people who don't come to your church most certainly know it is there. And if they are visiting your area for the first time also keep in mind that, to them, from the outside your church sure looks like a church!

When I worked at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, if there were no events scheduled I made certain that the main hall was clean, that there were comfortable places to sit and open bibles. I always got there early (before seven in the morning) to polish the brass and get the coffee going and it was a real thrill to see and greet the folk who wanted a quiet place or a listening ear.

I recommend this practice. However, I must add a caution. You have to teach your church members and staff that the church (or Christian organisation) is not a club house. Sadly, I have seen visitors who were in real personal need run out of the building when the "club house people" noisily marched in, displaying no sensitivity or even awareness that people in real need were there.