If you publish a prayer list, ensure members understand their privacy will be protected. Also, have safeguards in place to keep sensitive information private, especially for those facing life-changing circumstances. Personal, professional, and family issues weigh heavily on the hearts of many congregants. Help them overcome these challenges by encouraging their prayer habits with your free online prayer feature.
It’s Easy
A free online prayer request is an effective way for churches to collect and distribute prayers. In addition, collecting prayer requests online allows church leaders to track responses and follow up on them in real time. This makes it easier for church members to connect with God. There are many ways to gather prayer requests for the church, but using an online form is the most convenient and secure option. Unlike paper forms, the results of an online form can be easily accessed and stored and shared with anyone who can access the internet. An online form can also gather information about specific individuals, such as those with medical concerns. However, it’s essential to set up guidelines so members can make their requests without sharing too much personal information or becoming overwhelmed. For example, it’s best to list specific diagnoses or procedures only if the person consents to share this information publicly. A link to the online form in bulletins or church newsletters is an excellent way to get people on board with your prayer ministry. If the respondent has agreed to have their request posted, you can also talk about it during services or sermons. This will help them feel heard by the community and encourage them to keep praying for their loved ones.
It’s Convenient
Whether your members are homebound, traveling for work, or don’t have time to attend church, your online prayer requests allow them to strengthen their faith daily from the comfort of their homes. It’s an important service that helps connect your congregation and to God, especially for people with limited mobility, the sick, professionals who travel often, military families, and others whose schedules make it difficult to attend services regularly. If your form builder allows you to send submissions directly to a group email, have the prayer team coordinator receive these submissions so they can be updated on what your members are praying for and praying for. You should also remind them that praying for the little things that are often overlooked is okay. Remind them to be thankful and to ask for forgiveness, as well.
It’s Effective
Submitting prayer requests online is a highly effective way to ensure that someone genuinely will read and pray for your requests. It’s also a great way to keep your requests private, which is essential if you’re going through a personal crisis. For maximum effectiveness, assign a single user to receive responses to your online prayer request form, and then add the form to your church’s website or app so that members can easily access it from anywhere. Don’t forget to share the link to your online prayer forms on social media and through prayer chains, as this will encourage your members to share it with their friends and spread the word about your church’s new prayer line. Finally, consider offering an option on your form for people to have their prayers posted on your church’s prayer wall or board so that they can see that their prayers are being heard and answered. This will encourage your members to continue submitting their prayer needs and witness the power of prayer in action.
It’s Affordable
Using online forms and social media to promote a prayer line is a cost-effective way to bring in more members. The more members you have, the stronger your prayer chain will be. Plus, it’s easier to keep everyone updated by email when you have a large group. Another way to make the prayer request process more affordable is by allowing people to be anonymous. Often, the people who submit prayer requests go through difficult situations and don’t want to announce them publicly. Adding this feature to your form allows these people to express their needs in a way that isn’t so traumatic. To further increase the effectiveness of your prayer lines, consider including a field in your online prayer form that asks if people want their prayer added to your prayer wall. You can then add those prayers to your prayer wall or bulletin for all your church members to see. This will help you create an unbroken chain of prayers for those in need. It’s also good to offer daily devotionals on your website or app, along with your prayer lists. This gives your users more guidance in their conversations with God and can help them feel connected to your church. Then, they’ll be more likely to return and continue praying for you.
