Several congregations in West Michigan have increased their focus on prayer by setting up 24/7 prayer rooms at their churches.
At Searchlight Ministries in Jamestown, about 90 members took part in prayer around the clock for an entire week during November. The church has a room specifically designated for prayer, and church members covered the walls with paper, said Searchlight’s pastor, Stan Drenth.
“On one wall, we put one theme that arises out of prayer time,” Drenth said. “We have crayons, some art supplies, pencils, and colored pens. People just fill up the walls [with things they pray about].”
One wall in the prayer room was specifically designated to prayer for the persecuted church.
The round-the-clock prayer sessions have made worship time on Sundays more meaningful, Drenth said. “There’s a better sense among the people of the presence of God.”
At Immanuel Christian Reformed Church in Hudsonville, the church recently held a prayer week after a similar event in March went very well.
“There’s a different theme this time. All the [prayer] stations are different,” Immanuel prayer coordinator Michele VandeSteeg said. “We’re focusing on the Christmas season and the New Year.”
Fairway CRC in Jenison also opened a 24/7 prayer room for a week during the fall, said pastor David Den Haan.
Drenth hopes the 24/7 prayer room idea will spread. “We would love to have it go from one church to another and keep it going year-round,” he said.
About the Author
Greg Chandler is a freelance news correspondent for The Banner. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
